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SUMMARY.– IMPERIAL HORSE-BREEDING.
619. To facilitate reference, I would add the following short summary of
work done by the Department during the year, pointing out the directions in
which improvement has taken place, and in which failure has been met with.
299 stallions were actually at stud work against 291 in 1894-95.
14,305 mares were covered against 12,837, showing an increase of 1,468 over
the previous year. 47.6 mares were covered per stallion employed against 44.09.
3,964 foals are known to have been dropped against 3,113 last year.
620. The average of previous year's coverings per stallion employed was 13.6
against 11.82, but although there is a slight improvement in this direction,
still most decided failure has been met with, and I feel that our most strenuous
endeavours are required to ensure more successful working.
621. 2,365 remounts and young stock were obtained against 2,330 last year.
354 pedigrees were obtained against 321, still this is most unsatisfactory.
A remedy is, however, difficult to suggest whilst so many remounts are pur-
chased from dealers.
622. The cost of feed and keep of both horse and donkey stallions has in-
creased, but not nearly to the amount I expected. The reduction of cost in the
depôts is very satisfactory.
3,746 mares were branded against 3,235 in 1894-95.
623. The steady development of horse-breeding in those Native States in
which this industry had already commenced, and the fact that it is being
taken up by others, must tend in time to increase the horse supply of India.
MULE-BREEDING.
624. 364 donkey stallions were on the register against 361 in 1894-95. Of
these, 289 were at stud work against 257 last year; this shows better working.
625. 18,491 pony mares were covered against 16,455, showing an increase
of 2,036. 159 more donkey mares were covered.
The general percentage of mares covered per stallion employed was 50.6.
626. 3,734 mule foals are known to have dropped against 3,707, giving a
general average of 14.4 against 14.64; this is still most unsatisfactory.
627. 1,746 mules were purchased against 1,807 last year; the falling off
was in transport mules which can be obtained in fairly large numbers. The
increase in the number bought by the Army Remount Department is satisfac-
tory, as these are the mules that are difficult to obtain.
628. Horse Fairs and Shows.—All Horse Fairs and Shows proved successful.
3,345 more horses attended than last year. 1,879 remounts and young stock
were purchased against 1,613 in 1894-95.
629. Farms.—The farms attached to the depôts do not show as large a
balance in their favor as last year; the dry season will, however, account for a
portion of the falling off.
630. Laboratory.—The Imperial Bacteriologist has not been able to make
all the progress which is so much to be desired, but it is hoped that he will be
in a position to commence bacteriological work shortly. Much useful work
has, however, been done during the year by this officer.
631. Baluchistan.—I have attempted to summarize as shortly as possible
the work done by this Department during the year, showing where progress
has been made and where we have failed. I feel it due to Veterinary-Captain
Maxwell, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan, to
whom my best thanks are due to note the vast strides which have been made
in horse breeding in this agency.
632. Forty-one stallions were on the registers at the end of the year
against 37 at its commencement. These horses coverd 2,253 mares against
1,893 in 1894-95 and 1,218 in 1893-94; this increase is most marked.