29
Punjab, was able to procure two mules from each of the States of Patiala and
Kapurthala, thus showing the advantage to be derived by inducing these States
to interest themselves in the development of mule breeding. I hope that the
time is not far distant when other States, such as Ulwar, Bahawalpore, and
Faridkot, will be able to follow the example.
127. As I notice from a statement received from the Director, Army Re-
mount Department, that the year requirements from 1899-1900 to 1902-1903
will average 325 per annum, I trust that this number will be obtainable.
The great difficulty experienced is in obtaining the necessary girth measure-
ments—the Catalonian is deficient in this respect—I have, therefore, addressed
Mr. Sutherland on this subject asking that this most important point should
receive his attention.
128. On the question of the purchase of mules for the Army Remount
Department, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states:—
"I received orders before starting on my winter tour to encourage zemindars to sell mules also direct to
Government, and for this purpose R51,000 were placed at my disposal. But, apparently, the zemindar does not
possess the animal, so that I bought only 28 (including those bought at the Shows), out of which 12 only
belonged to the zemindar, and to him I gave the highest possible amounts I could. The reason the zemindar
does not possess the animal is that there are numbers of dealers who scour the country and buy up every avail-
able and saleable mule (which most mules are).
"Dhodial and Chakwal in the Jhelum and Hadwal in Rawalpindi districts are three very large centres
where they live, in fact no district is without them. They practically buy before they are foaled by advancing a
few rupees to the zemindars, increasing this till the animal becomes old enough for the dealer to take full
possession of him, and to sell him for Ordnance, Baggage or Commissariat purposes, or even to take them
across the border. Unless Government adopt the measure of claiming a certain right to a number of them
annually, the mule will, I feel sure, always be in the possession of the dealer."
129. I fear Government will never agree to the proposal made in the
latter portion of the foregoing extract, neither would I advocate the inter-
ference with free trade, but I certainly would like to see the experiment tried
of purchasing a number of young mules of six months of age and rearing them.
There would scarcely be a failure, as we have three classes to which they could
be relegated, viz., Ordnance, first class Baggage and Transport.
130. Every endeavour is being made to extend mule breeding in every
part of India where it is likely to be a success. I have already shown that
Government is already beginning to derive some benefit by the extension of
this industry in Native States, and I am pleased to note that the Nawab of
Loharu, the Manager of the Maler Kotla State, has intimated his wish to be
supplied with a donkey stallion; a Cyprian has, therefore, been indented for
him. He further trusts to be able to employ a second shortly, as there is no
objection to mule breeding in Maler Kotla, and he reckons on 300 mares being
available.
131. The Wadhwan State in Kathiawar has also asked for a Jack, and I
hope one will be supplied next November.
132. Every endeavour has been made to extend mule breeding in Raj-
putana, as there is a magnificent field for the industry in that Province, but
the Rajput is naturally averse to any such cross; still, as will be seen in
that portion of my report referring to Native States, it has obtained a hold in
Ulwar. The Commissioner of Ajmere-Merwara has also very kindly taken an
interest in the matter, and as he informed me that he thought a donkey might
be profitably employed in that district, one has been sent, and as a further
inducement for owners to have their mares covered, a bonus of R3 is offered
to each.
133. Having received intimation that General Sir Pratap Singh was
anxious to start mule breeding in Jodhpur, I paid that State a visit, and found
that he was most anxious to develop an industry which he felt convinced
would be calculated to further the interests of the ryots. He expressed a
wish to be supplied with five donkeys, which are to be provided at his own
expense, and I trust that they will be sent out next winter.
134. The donkeys already employed in the Kapurthala and Faridkot
States being overworked, an extra donkey was asked for, for each, and was
supplied during the past year. It will therefore be seen that mule breeding
is being extended in many parts of India in which it has not before existed.