9
42. On this subject the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
North Punjab, states:—
"The increase of four per stallion employed is due to better seasons, and a greater number of thoroughbreds
being employed (five more were employed this year). The average of the thoroughbred is always the highest.'
43. There can be no doubt that this Department is gradually recovering
from the bad seasons which in a measure crippled its operations during the
previous two years. Every Province shows an increase of mares covered,
and although Baluchistan shows a reduction in the percentage of mares
covered to stallions employed, still 255 more were covered than in 1897-98.
Six more horses were employed as the strain was too great. Even taking the
average of this year, 57.86, it is high when we consider that the covering
season does not last long.
44. Maps will be found in the cover of this Report showing the breeding Maps
districts, the stands where stallions are located, and the number of stallions
at each stand.
Demand for
stallions.
45. On this subject the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states:—
"As stated in my Annual Report of 1897-98, the Norfolk Trotter and Hackney stallions are losing favor
every day with the Zemindars of these Provinces, and the Thoroughbreds are rapidly gaining in popularity. In
many of the old established stands where the Darindahs and Zemindars have seen and owned stock obtained
from these respective classes of stallions, and have thus been able to compare the results, they will not look at a
Norfolk Trotter or Hackney, but are most anxious to obtain Thoroughbred Australian, Thoroughbred English
or Arabs. The Thoroughbred Australians are especially the favourites, as they always show both substance and
breeding. I have continued my system of systematically parading the Thoroughbreds at the different Fairs
and Shows, and from the large number of applications for their services, I have not the slightest doubt that
this has had a tendency to popularize this class. The progeny show much more quality and are better shaped
than those of the Norfolk Trotter or Hackney; they also obtain more prizes at the Fairs and Shows, and like-
wise fetch higher prices when sold."
46. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan and
Sind, states:—
"The demand for stallions is quite constant. The horses sanctioned for Baluchistan are only just sufficient
if all keep fit for work. Horses freshly coming up in April have to go to regular stud work and great care has
to be exercised that such horses are taken every care of, and not over-taxed."
47. The stallions in Baluchistan are worked to their utmost; this is proved
by the fact that the average number of mares covered by each stallion was 57.86.
Still I record with pleasure that all the horses were in good and vigorous condi-
tion when I inspected them at Sibi; this testifies to the great care exercised by
Veterinary-Captain Maxwell.
48. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states:—
"Thoroughbred English, Thoroughbred Australians and Arabs are more popular with the breeders than
other classes of stallions. While travelling through the districts during the last cold season, many Zemindars
requested me to send them a Thoroughbred English or an Arab stallion, if a Norfolk Trotter or a Hackney was
standing at a stand near their village.
"If there are two stallions at a stand—one Thoroughbred English and one Norfolk Trotter or Hackney—
and two mares are brought for covering on the same day, both Zemindars will prefer to get their mares served
by Thoroughbred English. Sometimes a Zemindar will wait for another day if the service of the Thoroughbred
English stallions is not available. Norfolk Trotter and Hackneys are generally disliked by the Zemindars for
the reasons that they now have had an opportunity of seeing the superior progeny of the Thoroughbred, besides
experiencing a greater difficulty in disposing of the progeny of the Norfolk Trotter. Big Arab stallions are
very popular and deservedly so, as their progeny are always well stamped with the Arab strain."
49. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
when adverting to this subject writes as follows. Although I do not agree
with him generally, I feel compelled to give the extract, containing as it does
opposite views not only to mine but to those held by other Superintendents.
Veterinary Lieutenant Trydell has only held charge of a horse-breeding centre
for one year, and will, I feel certain, alter his views with more experience:—
"There is only a demand for the Thoroughbred. It was observed last year, he was universally liked and
that all sires of other breeds were only used when his services were unavailable. Of the other classes of sire,
the Half-bred and Norfolk Trotter have the next highest average of coverings, whilst the Arab would appear to
be the least popular; his average is only 38.60 per horse.
"I do not for a moment consider that the services of the Thoroughbred are sought after by the natives
because they prefer him as a horse. It is that they know that his stock is the most saleable. It is a well
understood fact that the Remount Officers prefer Thoroughbred stock to any other, and that the judges at the
Shows award by far a greater number of prizes to his produce; consequently the breeder breeds the most
marketable animal. If the Norfolk Trotter was the horse sought after, then naturally the breeder would be
anxious for his services as a sire. An example of the popularity of the latter class, as above, the Malik of
Kalabagh possesses a stallion something of the Norfolk Trotter stamp which serves mares about that part. He
was brought to me with great pride to look at. I was never more disgusted with a brute in my life; he had
all the faults of a bad Trotter. The Malik, however, does not use him himself, as he has a Thoroughbred under
his care whose produce he appears to dispose of to advantage. It is no proof to me because the Thoroughbred
is in such request for mares that he pleases the native's eye more or as much as a Norfolk Trotter or Hackney.
C