4
Average num-
ber of mares co-
vered per stal-
lion.
14. Table IV also shows the number of mares covered per stallion em-
ployed:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
Rajputana
North Punjab
South Punjab
Derajat
Baluchistan
Central India
Deccan
Guzerat
Sindh and Cutch
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
......
...
...
1893-94.
36.14
35.00
52.47
46.41
46.33
42.29
37.16
35.00
27.80
35.88
1894-95.
39.00
12.00
52.73
44.09
60.00
47.32
24.33
34.77
27.95
36.16
Taken as a whole, the above results must be looked upon as satisfactory.
The North-Western Provinces shows a slight improvement. The North Pun-
jab has fully maintained the high percentage reached last year, whilst the
Derajat shows a great increase; in fact I fear that 60 is almost too high a per-
centage, as it must necessarily mean that some horses cover at least 75 to 80
mares. This will be remedied, and already orders have been issued for the
strength of stallions to be increased in the Derajat. The decrease in Rajpu-
tana is due to the fact that the stallion at Deoli did very bad work whilst
a new stand was opened at Ajmere. The Agent to Governor General is being
consulted on the advisability of the removal of the stallion now standing at
Deoli to another centre more likely to be successful.
There was a marked decrease in the percentage of mares covered in
Central India, but the Officer Commanding, Central India Horse, does not ac-
count for the decrease.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, ac-
counts for the slight decrease in the percentage of mares covered, by the fact
of stallions being employed in endeavouring to develop horse breeding in dis-
tricts where their services were not fully utilized.
The percentage in Bombay, including Deccan, Guzerat, Sindh and Cutch,
reached 33.50 against 31.90 last year. This cannot be looked upon as satis-
factory, especially as far as the Deccan and Guzerat are concerned. During
the year under review, sanction was given to unbranded mares being covered
by Government stallions, and although no mention is made of the fact in the
report received from the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, it is
to be supposed that effect was given to the sanction obtained, and if this was
the case, the percentage of mares covered should have been greater.
Demand for stal-
lions.
15. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
"The stallion in greatest demand amongst the Zemindars of these Provinces is the Hackney or
Norfolk Trotter, and usually the commonest and most ill shaped are the greatest favourites.
"In the districts of Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr, and parts of Aligarh and Saharunpore,
there are an extremely fine lot of brood mares, the produce of the Hackney and Norfolk Trotter,
which, if mated with good Thoroughbred English, Waler, and Arab stallions, should throw
excellent remounts for British. Cavalry. In the other districts, the mares are much lighter
and more suited for the Arab, and likely to breed remounts for Native Cavalry.
"It is necessary that a certain number of Hackneys should be kept in the districts in order
to keep up the present stamp of mare, but to go on with Hackneys alone, I consider a mistake,
as their young stock even now are inclined to be overtopped, straight shouldered, and short
necked, and consequently a large number are unfitted for troop horses. The Remount Agent,
in making his purchases during the year, gave preference to young stock, the produce of thorough-
bred English and Arab sires, and this class of stock took a great number of the more valuable
prizes at the different Fairs and Shows."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, records
his opinion as follows:—
"With regard to the demand for stallions, I must record my opinion that the Thorough-
bred is the horse in by far the greatest request in the North Punjab.
"Not only am I repeatedly addressed by Deputy Commissioners on the subject of placing
more Thoroughbred English horses in their districts, but the zemindars and influential breeders