76
The whole question of stallions for Rajputana has been most carefully con-
sidered by the Agent to the Governor General in consultation with the District
Officers, and it has been decided to remove the stallion from Deoli and to retain
the one at Ajmere. The Municipality of Beawar has also purchased an Arab
pony to serve the smaller mares. Before removing the Deoli stallion from
Rajputana, the question as to the advisability of locating him at Kekri, which
is in the centre of the Jagir states and the head-quarters of a District Magis-
trate, will again be referred to the Agent to the Governor General.
The Officer Commanding, Deoli Irregular Force, recommends that, in the
event of the horse stallion being removed, he should be replaced by a donkey
stallion. Should there be any likelihood of the latter's services being utilized,
I shall gladly fall into the views expressed by that officer.
Central India.
272. The question of horse breeding in the Central India Agency has already
been referred to. The possibility of extending mule breeding in this part of
India was referred to the Agent to the Governor General, but from his reply he is
of opinion that it would be useless to try it. In his report he states that mule
breeding has been brought to the notice of the Native Chiefs of Central India.
He further adds :—
" The Resident and Political Agent report that the Chiefs are averse from breeding mules al-
though one or two purchase them for use when required. About 20 years ago some donkey stal-
lions were imported by the Commandant, Central India Horse, and tried both at Goona and
Agar. They proved a complete failure, as not a single zemindar would consent to put a mare to
them in spite of all representations."
Taking the above report into consideration, it would be futile to endeavour
to extend mule breeding in Central India.
Kashmir.
273. In this State nothing has hitherto been done, but hopes are entertained
that the day is not far distant when, not only will an improvement he made in
the class of pony to be found in the State, but also mule breeding will be
actively carried on.
The class of mares at present to be found in Kashmir is hardy but small,
still they are, as a rule, particularly sound and well calculated, if mated with
good Jacks, to throw excellent transport mules.
Private enterprise, in a State with such a good climate as Kashmir pos-
sesses, should go far to extend pony and mule breeding, and already one retired
Officer has commenced. He supplies a good Arab pony of 14 hands to serve
good mares, the property of the ryot, reserving to himself the right to purchase
all the colts when weaned, the ryot retaining the fillies; he will be prepared
to extend these operations if they prove a financial success. This I look upon
as a correct view for the improvement of the horse stock of the country and
for providing a larger class of mare, likely, in time, to produce Ordnance mules.
This officer is also willing to endeavour to induce the ryot to take to
mule breeding, and it is to be hoped that he will be successful; as if once the
industry were established in the State, I feel convinced that it would be found
so profitable that it would rapidly extend. All. that is asked for by this officer
is the loan of a Government donkey for 3 years as an experiment, he bearing
all cost of feed and keep when once the donkey reaches him. The advantages
to be found by an experiment of this kind being so great, I shall be prepared
to recommend to the Government of India that his proposal be accepted.
I have also been in correspondence with another private individual who is
desirous of starting mule breeding in that State, and I trust that he will make
a start during 1895-96.
HOUSE BREEDING IN NATIVE STATES.
Punjab States.
274. In the Annual Administration Report of this Department for 1893-94,
page 69, I remarked that the Rulers of Native States could assist us materially
by extending both horse and mule-breeding operations in their territories.
I further stated that this was most imperatively called for, owing to the
fact that they required horses for their Imperial Service Troops in every way