8
Bombay Presidency. The Government grant in the past year for travelling ex-
penses in the Department was almost finished. It seems to me that very few
suitable mares remain unbranded in the districts, but in future years as the
fillies out of the mares originally branded become old enough they will be
brought forward for the brand. It is to be feared, from certain evidence which
I have to hand, that the orders of Government on the subject of the purchase
of branded mares as remounts by purchasing officers of cavalry regiments
have not been fully attended to, and it would be interesting and instructive if
Government would obtain through the proper channel a return of the number
of country-bred mares and of mares carrying the Government brand (with the
age of each at the time of purchase) now actually in the Bombay Cavalry re-
giments ; and should the number of branded troopers prove to be numerous, a
statement as to what precautions have been taken to ensure that all branded
mares purchased as remounts have been found to be barren. Such a return
would be specially valuable at the present time, as this Department has in hand,
as part of its work for the coming year, the subject of revision of the register of
branded mares, with a view to determination of how many of these which have
received the brand at any time cannot now be considered as at all likely to
contribute to the future horse wealth of the country. The coverings of mares
would certainly have been much more numerous but for the extremely poor con-
dition of the mares and for the unwillingness of the owners to bring them to
the stand in such poor condition.
55. As regards the results of coverings, although they will undoubtedly
admit of considerable improvement, it may be observed from the returns that the
percentage in 1887-88 was higher in this Presidency than in Bengal or in the
Punjáb. It is probable that the returns for the year under report will give a
like result.
56. I have to remark that Bijápur and Dhárwár districts are somewhat
backward in making full use of Government stallions. I am not yet prepared
to explain the reason of this, but will make the matter a subject of investigation.
57. This year the Government stallions were withdrawn from Káthiáwár,
which increases the stallion power available for other places. The measure was
adopted after careful consideration, and for reasons which I need not enter into
here.
58. Mule breeding is now practically confined to Sind, there only being
1 donkey stallion in the Presidency proper. It will be observed from the
returns that several mules were purchased for Government purposes at Jacob-
abad, and I look forward hopefully to the prospects of mule-breeding in Sind.
59. During the year, Horse Shows were held at Poona, Rájkot, Bhúj,
Jacobabad and Sibi, and proved successful in the main and popular; a number
of Shows were held in Native States; and as these have been contrasted with the
Government Shows, rather to the detriment of the latter, I think it would be
well that I visit some of them during 1889-90, so as to see whether the compa-
risons are well founded.
60. Remounts.—This year several purchases were made by the Re-
mount Department and a number by regimental officers, not only for the
Bombay but also for the Punjab Cavalry, so that a considerable number of
remounts, the produce of Government sires, now enter the service. It is
certain also that large numbers find their way into the cavalry of Native States.
61. The nursery system for young stock with a view to providing remounts
for Government service has this year come into force. I was instructed to pick
up any likely youngsters I come across in my tours; but, not being provided
with money for the purpose, was not in a position to do so. However, Captain
Webb and Major Chalmers bought some and had to send them to Bengal and the
Punjáb, because there is as yet no nursery in this Presidency. Remount agents
have attended at most of the Shows, but not, I regret to say, at all.
62. The Norfolk Trotter stallion seems to be steadily growing in public
favour, and his bone and substance will prove more and more evident in the young
stock of the Presidency in coming years. The Beluchis especially seem to
take to this class of stallion,