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83. I have hitherto spoken of the country-bred and Persians and have
shown that as yet we have only succeeded in obtaining animals fit to get bag
gage mules, it now remains for me to consider whether the remaining breed of
donkeys on which we depend in India, are likely to produce Ordnance mules
which are so much required. These breeds include the Italians and Cyprians.
84. In last year's Annual Administration Report, I pointed out that the
Italians received by importation were not good, and from careful observations
made this year, I have come to the conclusion that those received during the
past year are not, generally speaking, the class of animals we require to pro
duce Ordnance mules of the necessary stamp for our Mountain Batteries.
The question was referred to the two officers in charge of the North-West
Province and Punjab Depôts. The former officer states as follows:—
"I have inspected the Italian donkeys imported during the official year 1895-96, and am of opinion that
they are not up to the standard of those imported in former years.
"I have had their measurements taken and compared with the entries in the General Register, the differ
ences are but trifling. I have further taken the average measurements of the donkeys imported in different
years, and I find the falling off in power and substance is very marked.
"For instance, the average of those imported:—
"In 1886
„ 1888
„ 1892
„ 1896
was girth
„
„
„
59,
57,
54½,
53 1/20,
shank
„
„
„
71/10,
7,
6 3/4,
6 3/4,
height
„
„
„
12-2 ½.
12-2 ½.
12-2 ½.
12-1 4/5.
"This might be attributed to slack measurements in former years, but this is not the case, as the old
Italians in the districts show much more bone and substance than the new ones."
The latter officer also states:—
"The Italians imported this year, with perhaps three exceptions, are not as good as those of former years
in either height, bone, or shape."
85. So much exception is not taken to the Cyprians. The Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, reports
with reference to these:—
"The average measurements of those imported:—
"In 1885
„ 1887
„ 1888
„ 1895
„ 1896
height
„
„
„
„
12-3 ½,
12-1 7/20,
12-1 7/10,
12-2 7/4,
12-1 7/10,
girth
„
„
„
„
56 7/10,
55,
54 1/20,
54,
54½,
shank
„
„
„
„
7.
6 3/4.
6 17/20.
6 17/20.
6 7/10."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, thinks
the Cyprians in his charge are better than those imported last year.
86. I append a comparative statement showing the average height and
measurements of the various breeds of donkeys obtained last year:—
Italians ... ...
Cyprians ... ...
Persians ... ...
Country-breds bought in Sindh
Country-breds bought in Punjab
Height.
... 12-2
... 12-2 ½
... 12-1 1/5
... 12-0 ½
... 12-0
Girth.
53 ⅓
54 ½
53 ½.
53 ¼
54 ⅓
Remarks.
Taken from 10 Italians and
5 Cyprians in Punjab De
pôt.
Average age 3½ years.
On careful consideration of the above, I am of opinion that we are not
obtaining suitable Jacks to ensure our getting good Ordnance mules. The
question of baggage mules can be dismissed, as I am of opinion that the
country-bred and Persian donkey is capable of producing these.
87. It will be noticed that the average height of the Italians, imported this
year, is only 12-2, but their great deficiency is in girth which is only 531/3;
this even compares unfavourably with that of the country-breds which only
averaged 3½ years of age.
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