13
indents on that country as much as possible. This I trust we shall be able to
do in a few years. By this I do not mean that we shall ever be able to do en-
tirely without Italian donkeys as sires, but I trust that the day will arrive, and
that it is not far distant, when we shall be able to produce an indigenous breed
of Jacks that will take the place of imported ones for mule breeding, although
a certain number of the latter will be required annually to infuse new blood in
the country donkey mare, and also to assist in the supply of a big class of
donkey for producing Ordnance mules. During the year under review, great
attention has been paid to this point; and I have had large numbers of donkeys
collected for my inspection in different parts of India. From these I have
been able to select 10 excellent animals in every way calculated to produce good
mules. I would draw special attention to the following statement:—
Particulars of donkey stallions imported and purchased during 1894-95.
Class.
Italians ...
Cyprians ...
Zanzibars ...
Somalia ...
Punjabis, purchas-
ed in India ...
Number
of
each class.
40
10
5
5
10
AVERAGE.
Age.
4½ years.
3½ „
5¼ „
4¾ „
4½ „
Height.
H.
12
12
12
9
12
I.
2½
3
0½
3¾
1¼
Girth.
Inch.
54½
54½
50½
44½
56¾
Shank.
Inch.
6¾
62/8
6
5¼
6¾
Price.
£80 in Genoa.
£19 in Cyprus.
Rs. 450 in Bombay.
Not known.
Rs. 115 at place of
purchase.
32. By reference to the above, it will be seen that the average age of the
Punjabis purchased is similar to that of the Italians imported, that their
height is 1¼ less but that their girth is 2¼ inches greater. As this is one
of the most important points to be considered in a mule, we have I think
in the Punjabi donkey an animal in every way suitable as a mule producer.
All the donkeys thus purchased showed evident signs of possessing Italian
blood, and as more strains of this blood are infused into the indigenous
breed, we may expect a further improvement; but to ensure success we must
obtain the biggest and best of imported sires.
33. One of the donkeys which was purchased in the Gujrat district was so
exactly like an Italian donkey that it would have been impossible to find the
slightest difference. In addition to the 10 country Jacks referred to in the
above Statement, 10 head of young stock were purchased; these averaged 2½
years of age: they have been sent to the Babugarh Farm where, being reared on
the liberty system and being well fed, it is to be expected they will turn out
to be first-rate animals for the purpose for which they are required.
34. Added to the great advantage of being able to provide a great number
of donkey stallions in this country, the cost will be so greatly reduced that this
Department will be able to recommend the Government of India to increase
the sanctioned strength of donkey stallions still further—a matter which is
of the greatest importance. By reference to the above return, it will be seen
that whilst an Italian donkey costs, at the present rate of exchange, about
Rs. 1,450 in Italy, a Punjabi only costs Rs. 115. This latter price, however,
will be increased to Rs. 200 as the quality and size improves.
35. The area from which indigenous donkey stallions will be obtainable is
not extensive, as it only embraces North Punjab and Baluchistan, these being
the only parts of India in which suitable donkey mares are to be found ; still,
this will be sufficient for our purposes, and if the horse and mule breeding
operations in Sindh are brought under this Department, as I trust they
ultimately will be, we can extend the system to this province where fine
Jennies are to be found.