5
From bills showing cost of landing and keeping of horses and donkeys in
1894-95, I find that the average was Rs. 37-15-5, and that after the adoption
of the abovementioned system in 1895-96, that the average was Rs. 23-5-10,
showing a saving of Rs. 14-9-7 on each animal.
Transfer of Dera-
jat from Balu-
chistan to Pun-
jab.
21. As in the remarks which will follow, frequent allusions will be made,
in referring to the North and South Punjab, to changes which have occurred
during the past year, owing to the transfer of the Derajat from Baluchistan to
the Punjab, I deem it advisable to note that from 1st April 1895 the districts
of Muzafargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan were added to the South Punjab, and
those of Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan were added to the North Punjab; they
having previously been in charge of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Baluchistan. This change, in my opinion, was imperatively
called for, as difficulties arose owing to one Superintendent having to work
under two Governments or Administrations, and also owing to the distance
dividing the Derajat from Baluchistan, much valuable time was lost. I feel
confident that the change will prove greatly to the interests of horse breeding
in these four districts.
22. The fact that the Derajat was removed from the charge of the Superin-
tendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan, has also resulted in that
Officer being able to devote more time to his own Province, and the increase
in horse breeding there, will, I think, show that the change has proved bene-
ficial.
23. It was advisable to give a start to Baluchistan, but now that this has been
done, I do not consider that the work is sufficient; I have therefore proposed
that this officer should also be placed in charge of Sindh, relieving the Superin-
tendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay; this I consider would be
judicious, as Sindh and Baluchistan could well be worked together, whereas,
geographically considered, Sindh is too far distant from Bombay to allow of its
being properly worked by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department of
that Presidency.
Number of stal-
lions at stud
work.
24. The number of stallions at stud work is shown in Table IV (page vii).
By this Table it will be seen that:—
67 were employed in
80 „
68 „
40 „
North-Western Provinces of 88
North Punjab
„
91
South Punjab
„
85
Baluchistan
„
41
on the Register.
„
„
„
25. This shows an improvement on last year, 83.6 having been employed
during the past year against 75.4 in 1894-95. This percentage would have been
better, but it was found necessary to reduce the number of stallions in the
North-Western Provinces, as the work for them was not sufficient; and in
many places, Provincial stallions (better suited to the small mare) took their
places. Some of these might have been utilized in Baluchistan, but they were
for the most part big Norfolk Trotters that were unsuitable for the mares of
that part of the country.
26. The reason why so few stallions were employed in South Punjab, viz., 68
out of 85 on the Register, is due to the fact that the Punjab Depôt is attached
to that Circle and all new horses are sent there for acclimatization; this repre-
sents the numbers sent there for this purpose which are afterwards utilized in
North Punjab and Baluchistan, as well as in South Punjab.
Average number
of mares cover-
ed per stallion.
27. Table IV also shows the number of mares covered per stallion employ-
ed:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh ... ...
Rajputana ... ... ... ...
North Punjab ... ... ... ...
South Punjab ... ... ... ...
Baluchistan ... ... ... ...
Central India ... ... ... ...
Deccan ... ... ... ...
Guzerat ... ... ... ...
Sindh and Cutch ... ... ... ...
1894-95.
39.00
12.00
52.73
44.09
47.32
24.33
34.77
27.93
36.16
1895-96.
45.3
27.00
48.27
54.48
55.54
19.66
33.68
28.52
41.58
2