63
Mares fit for mule breeding . . . .
Donkey stallions . . . . . .
„
mares . . . . . .
Miscellaneous . . . . . .
TOTAL .
1898-99.
56
7
23
103
884
1897-98.
2
17
20
274
874
319. From a perusal of the above it will be seen that 313 branded mares
and fillies competed against 255 last year; the increase—58—is satisfactory,
and again 291 head of young stock, from fillies 3 years of age to foals—
fillies, competed against 241 last year. These two facts combined go far to
prove that breeding in Baluchistan is still gaining ground.
320. Referring to the brood mares and young stock, the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, reports:—
"The general run of all classes of animals exhibited at the Show were of good stamp and nice quality,
practically all of them being the produce of Government sires. As usual, the great features of this Show
were the brood mares and young stock. There was an increase of 57 mares in the branded mare classes, and
Major Biddulph, the Senior Member of the Special Judging Committee, speaks of them as follows:—
'They were a particularly good lot, being fine roomv mares with plenty of size, substance and quality and
eminently suited for breeding remounts of British Cavalry.'
"The 2 and 3 year old filly classes showed an increase of 30, and among them were many animals that
would do credit to a Show ring in England. Other classes were much the same as last year, but all officers
present considered the excellency of the Show fully maintained."
321. On the subject of the stallions producing the best stock, the Super-
intendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
"As last year, the Thoroughbred English horses head the list of prize winners, but in this the Thorough-
bred Australian horses run them very hard, and I anticipate that ere long the English horses will have to
yield their laurels to the colonials. Out of 10 prizes awarded in the class for colt foals, 50 per cent. of them
went to the progeny of Thoroughbred Australian horses. Arab stallions continue to show their great value,
particularly in the first cross with the country-bred mare."
322. The Judging Committee, through their Senior Member, Major Bid-
dulph, states that they were much struck with the stamp of young stock by
the Thoroughbred Australians.
323. Captain Gough, the Army Remount Agent, purchased a very good
batch of 15 young stock, all of which were by Government stallions, viz.,—
5
4
2
2
1
1
by Thoroughbred English.
„
„
Australians.
„ Half-bred English.
by Arabs.
by Hackney.
unknown, but evidently by a Government sire.
Captain Gough remarks as follows on the Fair and the remounts pur-
chased:—
"This is quite one of the best Fairs in India, and it is a treat to see such a collection of brood mares
and young stock, showing both breeding and substance. These remounts compare very favourably with those
purchased in former years."
324. In addition to the above, a very good lot of remounts—20 in
number—were purchased by Native Cavalry Officers, 13 of which were
locally bred. The average price paid being R257.
325. On the subject of the supply of remounts, Veterinary Captain
Maxwell states:—
"I think it was generally allowed that the standard of the class of animals was fully maintained. Owing
to the continual drain on the country by Punjab dealers, the number of remounts obtainable over 3 years of
age is not very large, but to those who buy at that age, the Fair affords a good market."
326. I trust that the vexed question of dates suitable to the Sind and
Sibi Shows is now settled. The Sind Authorities have agreed to the follow-
ing:—
Jacobabad— 2nd Monday in January,