25
104. It is therefore to be considered whether any source remains from
which we could obtain a further supply; the only one that I can suggest is
Syria. At Aleppo and Damascus, and in fact in the whole of the district of
Lebanon, I am informed that an excellent stamp of donkey exists. I have
therefore suggested to the Government of India that it might be advisable to
depute an officer to Syria; if he were successful in purchasing 50 at about the
same price at. which the Cyprians are obtained, it would pay well. I have
been led to make this recommendation owing to the information I gained in
Cyprus referring to the exportation of young donkeys from that island with a
view of rearing them, besides which the donkeys said to be Arabs, which I
have bought this year and of which a description will be found below, are said
to come from Syria, and they are undoubtedly very useful Jacks.
105. During the year under review, the following donkey stallions have
been obtained:—
51 Cyprians, including 2 for Native States and 24 to replace country-breds handed
over to Lumbardars.
11 Catalans, including 1, a cross between a Catalan and a Poitou.
4 Arabs.
3 Country-breds, young ones to be run on the farm at Babugarh.
106. The measurements of the three first classes—that of the country-
breds is not given, as they cannot be compared being very young—are as
follows:—
Cyprians.
.
.
.
.
.
Catalans
.
.
.
.
.
.
Arabs . . . . . . .
Height.
12.1¾
13.3⅓
13.1
Girth.
54½
58¼
54
Shank.
6½
7
7
107. The Catalans were a very fine batch, but they had one fault, which
was that their girth was not in some instances commensurate to their height;
this, therefore, meant that they were high on the leg. There is one donkey
amongst this batch that is exactly my idea of what we require in this country,
but I can understand how difficult it is to get many like him. His
measurements were:—
Height. . . . . . . . .
Girth . . . . . . . . . .
Shank . . . . . . . . . .
13.3
62
7
and he was symmetry itself. I have placed myself in communication with
Mr. Sutherland, and have asked him to guard against this fault as much as
possible in future, for it is of the utmost importance that we should get
animals with good girth to meet our requirements in Ordnance mules.
108. As already stated, the first batch of 27 Cyprians was a really good
one, the second, as might have been expected, was not so good owing to the
fact that the first 27 were the pick of the island. The measurements of the
first batch, and the whole 51 taken together, were:—
1st batch
.
.
.
.
.
.
51 taken
together.
.
.
.
.
Height.
12.2⅓
12.1¾
Girth.
56
54½
Shank.
6⅝
6½
109. I feel, however, confident that we may rely on a yearly improve
ment, as the Government of India have guaranteed to take a certain number
annually which will stimulate breeding of suitable animals.
Donkey stallions to
be handed over to
Lumbardars for the
encouragement of
mule breeding.
110. It having been reported to me by Veterinary Lieutenant Turnbull,
late Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, that there
was great need of more donkey stallions in his circle, and that he was of
opinion that country-bred donkeys might with advantage be placed in the
hands of Lumbardars or big zemindars who would take an interest in the
development of mule breeding, I submitted, for the consideration of the
Government of India, that a yearly increase of 25 for the next three years should
E