11
55. Considering that only six Australian sires are employed in Baluchistan
and that these have been there but a short time, it speaks well for this class
of sire, which I have no hesitation in saying is likely to do more good than
any other. Veterinary-Captain Maxwell also brings to notice the fact that
the Arab is undoubtedly required. With reference to Sind, Veterinary¬
Captain Maxwell states:—
"To the best of my belief, no stock has ever been purchased for the Army from a Sindhi; the young
stock selected here for the Ahmednagar Depôt are, without exception, bred by Baluchis."
56. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states:—
"The stallion which produces the most suitable stock for the Army, as was said in last year's
Report by my predecessor Veterinary-Captain F. Joslen. is no doubt the Thoroughbred. The produce of
this class of stallion seen at various Horse Shows, and when inspecting in the districts, was noticed superior
in every way to that of any other class of stallion."
57. The following Table received from the Director, Army Remount
Department, will show the class of stock purchased by that Department
which produced most remounts, or rather, in which there were fewer rejec-
tions:—
Statement showing the allotment of remounts during 1898-99, and the class of stallion by
which they were got.
CLASS OF STALLION.
Thoroughbred English
.
.
.
.
Half-bred English, Norfolk Trotters, etc. .
Arabs
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Australians
.
.
.
.
.
.
Country-breds .
.
.
.
.
.
Not known
.
.
.
.
.
.
TOTAL . . .
BRANCH OF SERVICE.
F. A.
...
2
...
...
...
4
6
British Cavalry.
49
30
16
5
...
38
138
Total.
49
32
16
5
...
42
144
Rejected.
61
48
32
3
2
102
248
TOTAL.
110
80
48
8
2
144
392
REMARKS.
45.5 %
40 %
33.3 %
62.5 %
Nil.
29 %
58. It will be seen that the Australian sires head the list with a percen-
tage of 62.5, and although I do not claim pre-eminence for these owing to
the fact that this percentage is obtained on only eight head of young stock
bought, still I feel assured that with the careful method of purchasing now
adopted this percentage will be increased.
59. The Thoroughbred English comes next with 45.5 of successful issues,
the Half-breds and Hackneys with 40 per cent., whilst the Arab is only
accredited with 33.3, and the unknown sire comes out at the bottom of the
list with only 29.
60. The remarks that appear to be called for by a perusal of this
return are, that the Arab may not furnish the number of British Cavalry
remounts which other sires do; still, I would not like to condemn this class
of horse. These issues were five years of age, these therefore were the progeny
of the Arab that was then bought. At that time big prices were seldom
paid for Arab horses, and I venture to think that better horses are now
obtained.
61. The failure of the unknown sire is remarkable. I have frequently noted
on this point, and I think it proves that unless a colt or filly possesses some
very special qualification, it would be advisable to leave it alone when its
breeding cannot be traced. The number of unknown sires is yearly becoming
less in the Army Remount Department.
62. The percentage of successful issues to number rejected must strike
one as being very bad, giving as it does only 36.73. I, however, feel that this
will soon improve. More careful purchasing and more careful rearing should
lead to a percentage of at least 75 successes.
Country-bred
mounts.
Number purchased.
63. Tables VI, VI-A, VI-B, and VI-C, will show the number of country¬
bred remounts and young stock purchased. The following will show the number
obtained during the years —
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 1,906
. 1,959
.
1,763
C 2