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Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, owing to his unwonted
energy, does much to meet the requirements of his Province in the way of
cattle breeding and investigation of diseases, but with this exception, the only
officers who can interest themselves in the matter are the Superintendents,
Civil Veterinary Department, Madras and Burma. I trust therefore that the
day is not far distant when the appointments which I have shown to be neces-
sary are sanctioned.
464. Already a scheme has been carefully worked out whereby we shall be
in a position to solicit the sanction of the Secretary of State for a 3rd
officer for the Punjab without throwing much extra expense on Imperial
Funds.
465. The necessity for a 2nd officer for Burma is also recognized, and
sanction will soon be asked for his employment.
466. The Kashmir Durbar has consented to defray the cost of a Veterinary
Officer. This will have the effect of his being able to guard British territory
against the invasion of disease which so frequently happens at present.
467. There then remains, for future consideration, an officer for North-
Western Provinces, one for Central Provinces and one for Assam, and as I
shall show, when dealing with the question of cattle disease, the pay of these
officers would be more than covered if they only saved one per cent. of the deaths
which occur annually in some Provinces. I am led to make this remark by
considering the excessive mortality in Assam, where 259,570 head of cattle
died in 1897-98, the estimated value of these being Rs. 22,26,478.
Horse and Mule
breeding in Ajmere.
468. As I remarked in my last Annual Administration Report, it was
decided to only keep one stallion at Ajmere; this horse has covered 47 mares
against 40 last year. All mares covered were branded.
469. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states that owing
to the abolition of the Pushkar Fair, he was unable to see the young stock. I
would much like to see this officer move more about Ajmere-Merwara than he
does, whenever his duties at the school will allow him to do so; he would then
become known to the breeders and to the ryots generally, and would be the
means of doing much good, not only in the development of horse breeding, but
also in the suppression of cattle disease.
470. Mule breeding has been started in Ajmere-Merwara; a donkey was
sent there last January; he had, however, only covered two mares up to 31st
March. The Government of India have sanctioned the payment of a bonus of
R3 to the owner of each mare covered. I trust that this venture will prove a
success.
Pony and Mule
breeding in Central
Provinces.
471. As I have before said, the attention of this Department will be re-
quired mainly to guard the interests of cattle owners of these Provinces: neither
pony nor mule breeding make any advance.
472. The number of mares covered by the three stallions employed is
decreasing year by year. In 1896-97, 138 mares were covered and last year
110, whereas during the year under review, we find that only 85 have been
served. Again, the donkey covered 62 mares in 1896.97, 39 last year, but
only 20 in 1898-99.
473. This is disappointing, and although I am of opinion that nothing more
can be effected as far as the pony stallions are concerned, I think that some-
thing more might be done in mule breeding. For example, the Deputy Com-
missioner, Damoh, states that there are 2,187 mares in his district; most of
these are of a poor class, still the majority of these, if crossed with donkey
stallions, would throw useful small transport mules.
474. This question, however, cannot be dealt with until a Veterinary
Officer is sanctioned for permanent duty in these Provinces.
Horse and Mule
breeding in Central
India.
475. Horse breeding has never been successful in Central India, and in my
Administration Report I stated that one stallion only was employed, and that
unless an improvement in the number of coverings could be anticipated, I
purposed removing him. On referring the question to the Officer Commanding
1st Regiment, Central India Horse, he agreed with me in saying that it was
useless to try to develop this industry in Central India.