117
I further suggested that in future none but mares should be purchased
for the Irregular Troops of the State, and that they should be covered by the
State stallions, and that their produce should be bought up at Rajanpett; this
would, I feel certain, be beneficial to the State.
KASHMIR.
Kashmir.
503. In last year's Administration Report, I stated that I hoped the day was
not far distant when not only would an attempt be made to improve the present
breed of Kashmiri ponies, which although sturdy and hardy animals are, gen-
erally speaking, small, but that also mule-breeding would be introduced into
this State. I feel convinced that if only the Kashmiri can be made to see that
this is likely to prove a paying enterprise, he will adopt it with alacrity.
I am pleased to say that a commencement has really been made and that
already two good Arab ponies have been purchased and are actually at work.
The object in getting these Arab ponies is to gradually improve the stock and
to breed mares that ultimately will throw good Ordnance mules. The services
of these stallions are given free; the conditions being that if a filly is
dropped it will become the property of the zemindar, if, on the other hand, a
colt is dropped it will be taken by the promoters of the scheme.
The Government of India, with a view of assisting mule breeding in
Kashmir, have sanctioned the temporary loan of 2 donkeys; those selected
being an Italian 12-3½ and one Catalonian of 13-1¼.
The intention is to give the services of these stallions free to owners of
ponies and to purchase from them the produce when weaned, say at 8 months
and to run the young stock during the summer months on the high hills in
Kashmir, and in the winter months on the lower hills round about Poonch; to
effect the latter, it has been arranged to stack hay for them there.
One pony and one donkey are stationed at Srinagar, and although the scheme
is in its infancy, more country mares are being brought to them than they
can serve.
One pony and one donkey are stationed in Poonch. When last I heard
they had only been there 7 days, it is therefore too early to offer any opinion as
to the success which is likely to attend this part of the scheme.
The question that now arises is, what class of mule will be produced by
the Kashmiri mare, which as I have before said is a small one, when mated with
a big donkey; time alone will prove this. The promoter of the scheme writing
on this point, says:—
" Only yesterday we were offered a mule 10 months old by an unknown donkey, and the mule stood quite
half an inch taller than its mother."
It would have been interesting to learn what height the mother was, but
this is not stated.
My opinion, based on experience gained in other provinces, is that the
majority of the mules will turn out good for baggage, and that about 5 per cent.
may be expected to be fit for Ordnance purposes.
I am delighted at last to see mule-breeding commenced on sound lines in
Kashmir; the scheme must recommend itself, especially as mules are at present
in great demand.
504 This concludes the results of my visits to the various Native States
during the past year, and I cannot but say that I fully appreciate the courtesy
shown to me by all the Chiefs of the States which I have visited, and especially
the ready manner in which any recommendations for the improvement of horse
and mule-breeding have been carried out.
30