30
9. The number of mares branded was 809, which, compared with last
year's figure (1,046), is a decrease of 22.66 per cent. This is stated by the
Superintendent to be also mainly due to the low condition of the mares, the
district stock returns showing, further, that a good many animals were sold by
their owners owing to seasonal causes. But the chief fall is in Gujarát, and
there is a fall of 40 per cent. in Beluchistán; in both these tracts the scarcity of
fodder was less marked than elsewhere, so that branding operations might
apparently have been more extensive. In view of the under-working of the
stallions, pointed out in the preceding paragraph, this is a matter which calls for
immediate attention.
10. The total number of horse and pony stallions (99), including 5 addi-
tions during the year, has decreased by 5, six horses having died and four being
sold as incompetent. The distribution of the horses was as follows:—45 in
the Deccan, 11 in Gujarát, 20 in Sind and Cutch, and 23 in Beluchistán. The
number of stands decreased by 4. The number of branded mares on the regis-
ters is stated to be 13,972, but as only 53 casualties have been struck off from the
previous total of 14,028 the return is apparently of no value. The Superintend-
ent is giving his attention to this matter with a view to the return of correct
figures for next year's report.
11. Donkey stallions for mule-breeding number 23, as last year, covering
1,019 mares, as against 868. The average of mares covered per stallion has
also risen from 41.3 to 43.32. Mule-breeding is still confined to Sind; but for
part of the year a donkey was stationed at Ahmadnagar, and Veterinary Captain
Morgan is sanguine of introducing the industry into this district. The produce
results shown are worthless, the Sind registration being extremely defective.
12. The condition of stallions of all kinds has somewhat improved during
the year under report, the effective number (horse and pony stallions) hav-
ing risen from 87.1 to 88.67. This is partly due to the 10 casualties occurring
among the less efficient animals, but is also in part attributable to the regular
exercise which is now insisted on; a further improvement should be found next
year, following arrangements in progress to obtain more general observance of
this rule. The stallions have been placed under the immediate supervision of
the Veterinary Assistants at stations where dispensaries exist.
13. The produce results (paragraphs 19 and 20 of the Superintendent's
report) are not more satisfactory than in former years. The improvement
of these returns has been fully considered by the undersigned in consultation
with the Superintendent, and separate proposals are being submitted to Govern-
ment; but it may be noticed that after full enquiry the returns, so far as the
Presidency Proper is concerned, are not proved to be incorrect to any great degree.
The Superintendent has added to the Appendix a return (No. IV) as called for
by Government in the review of last year's report, showing against each horse
his coverings of the previous year and the foals attributed to him in the year
under report; but the form requires amendment, and, notably, now omits the
number of coverings in the present year. On this and other points on which the
returns are faulty, the undersigned has more fully reported in his No. 3513,
dated 10th December 1892, referred to in paragraph 3 above. Appendix IV,
as it stands, does not show where each horse is stationed, but taking the
distribution to be the same as last year, 67 horses are at service in the Presi-
dency Proper including Cutch. These horses are credited with a total produce
of 633, including abortions and animals since dead. This is an average of only 9.4
per stallion. The total "not held" is 1,006, or an average of 15.01, and the
total "unknown" 140, or an average of 2.09. These figures are not satisfactory,
as they show that only about one-third of the coverings are successful. The
produce of each of the thoroughbred English horses averaged 9.7, of the
Norfolk-trotters 12.5, of the Arabs 9.04; and that of the one Pegu pony was 9.
14. Castration has made some progress, the animals operated on being 320
against 127 last year, exclusive of 100 colts castrated at the Ahmadnagar Rear-
ing Depôt. The attention of Dispensary Committees has been called to the
rule making castration a duty of Veterinary Assistants,