41
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
Cost of feed and
keep of Government
donkey stallions.
172. The average cost per donkey for the past two years has been as
follows. That for the present year is shown in Table XIV:—
North-Western Provinces and
Oudh.
North Punjab
.
..
.
..
South Punjab .
.
.
..
Baluchistan
.
..
.
. .
Sind
.
.
..
.
..
Deccan
.
.
..
.
..
Guzerat
.
..
.
..
1897-98.
R
165
196
189
268
289
490
363
a.
11
14
8
15
0
0
0
p.
11
5
6
0
0
0
0
1898-99.
R
130
180
157
315
219
295
335
a.
1
1
2
4
0
0
0
p.
0
11
8
6
2
0
0
173. The reduction in cost, especially in the North-Western Provinces
and South Punjab, is most satisfactory, and I doubt if ever we can get the
cost below this. The increase in Baluchistan only represents that incurred by
4 donkeys, which were located at centres where grain was dear.
Number of pony
and donkey mares
served by Govern-
ment donkey stal-
lions.
174. The number of pony and donkey mares covered by Government
stallions is given in Table IX. The number covered during the previous year
is also given below to enable comparisons to be drawn:—
North-Western Provinces .
North Punjab. . .
South Punjab . . .
Baluchistan . . . .
Sind
.
.
.
Deccan . . . .
Guzerat . . . .
Central India. . .
Pony
mares.
1897-98.
3,532
7,835
4,905
116
684
9
20
58
17,159
1898-99.
4,038
8,147
5,050
123
803
11
7
60
18,239
Donkey
mares.
1897-98.
150
850
139
9
...
...
...
...
1,148
1898-99.
271
916
192
...
...
...
...
...
1,379
The result is most satisfactory representing as it does in our three large
breeding districts an increase of 963 pony and 240 donkey mares covered.
Number of mule
stock foaled.
175. The average of mule stock foaled to each stallion employed is shown
in Table IX. On this subject the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, North Punjab, states:—
"The average of donkey produce shows a decrease which I am sure is entirely due to there being so many
old donkeys; that they should be got rid of at once is, in my opinion, absolutely necessary. When owners
find their mares do not hold, they lose faith and take them to country-breds, which of course is a thing which
should be avoided. It would be cheaper in the end to destroy all over 16 years of age, but they should be
replaced at once."
176. This officer is rather inclined to jump at hasty conclusions, for
although I agree with him that the excessive number of old Jacks has
undoubtedly something to say to the small number of successful coverings, still
he forgets that this Department has done its best to get rid of as many as
possible during the year under review. In his circle alone 18 have been
destroyed as old and worn-out or as being otherwise useless; this represents
nearly 18 per cent. of the donkeys employed, and is a large number. I would
like to have got rid of more, but I agree with Veterinary Lieutenant Trydell
that any that are destroyed must be replaced at once. With the very limited
supply of donkey stallions at our command, this is impossible.
177. I would, however, add to the reason given by Veterinary Lieutenant
Trydell that of the migratory character of the owners of many of the mares
covered by donkey stallions, these are, as a rule, small mares, the property
of owners who move from district to district and whose whereabouts it is
difficult to find when the results of coverings are wanted.