NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
111
have valuable material which they are unable to publish owing to the fact
that their multifarious duties will not allow them to do so. I have, however,
issued a circular and have begged of them to assist as much as possible in
this direction.
HORSE AND MULE BREEDING IN NATIVE STATES.
493. This is the fifth year during which I have been able to report progress
made by certain Native States in both these industries. I shall of course only
allude to such States that have taken the matter up under the auspices of this
Department, but I shall be able to prove that they take a most intelligent
interest in the matter, and that the results of their operations are already
beginning to be felt.
494. Mules fit for Ordnance purposes have been purchased both from the
Patiala and Faridkot States, whilst three of the remounts which took prizes at
the Jellalabad Horse Show were by one of the Faridkot State stallions. This
is most encouraging, especially when it is taken into consideration that the
present system has been in vogue for but such a short space of time.
495. I would take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the
various Chiefs for the great courtesy which I have met with during my visits
to their States, and for their hearty co-operation and the ready manner in
which they have adopted my recommendations for the improvement of horse
or mule stock.
NATIVE STATES IN THE PUNJAB.
Bahawalpur
496. This State continues to do good work. As before mentioned, it
maintains a small stud and this under its more efficient management, will
undoubtedly produce some remounts for the Imperial service Cavalry of the
State, but it should produce more mules for the Transport. When I visited
Bahawalpur I found that young stock of two years of age were being removed
this has been stopped.
497. I am, however, more interested in the extension of horse and mule
breeding in the Tehsils, and here is to be noticed a marked improvement.
Five Tehsils are equipped with a horse and donkey each, and during the past
year the following number of mares has been covered:—
BY HOUSE STALLIONS.
At the Stud .
At Tehsils
.
State
mares.
23
...
23
Zemindari
mares.
79
125
204
Total.
102
125
227
BY DONKEY STALLIONS.
At the Stud .
At Tehsils
.
State
mares.
23
...
23
Zemindari
mares.
21
93
114
Total.
44
93
137
498. This shows an increase of 44 mares covered by horse stallions, and
of 21 covered by donkeys. The increase is entirely due to the work done in
the Tehsils, 63 more mares having been covered there than last year.
To ensure success, however, in this direction an improvement in the
stallions is necessary. By the kindness of the Wazir, all the horse and donkey
stallions employed were collected for my inspection. All the donkeys were
excellent, but three of the five stallions require to be replaced. I hope to see
this done shortly.
Faridkot.
500. This State continues to do the good work which has characterized
its efforts during the past four years. I visited Faridkot in November last
and saw 36 very good mares, the majority of which were in foal. Five mares
116
539. In order to give some idea of the good work done by Native States, I
give the following summary which will show the number of mares covered by
horse and donkey stallions:—
State.
Bhawalpore . . . . . .
Faridkot . . . . . .
Jhind . . . . . . .
Kapurtbala . . . . . .
Patiala . . . . . . .
Bhurtpore . . . . . .
Jeypore . . . . . . .
Ulwar . . . . . . .
Mysore . . . . . . .
Central India States . . . . .
Number of mares
covered by horse
stallions.
227
125
100
285
Number of mares
covered by
donkey stallions.
137
106
39
310
Information not received
88
80
594
177
40
1,716
50
...
138
9
...
789
540. From the above it will be seen that 1,716 mares were covered by horse
and 789 by donkey stallions, showing an increase of 36 and 194, respectively,
when compared with last year.
541. The above only represents the number of mares covered by selected
stallions—either Arabs or Thoroughbreds; the number covered in the Kathiawar
States is omitted as statistics were not supplied.
542. I regret that again I can give no information referring to the State
of Patialla.
543. My best thanks are due to all the Chiefs of the Native States which
I visited for the courtesy with which I was received and for the ready help
which they afforded me.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT
OF THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN INDIA
FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR
1898-99.
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
119
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT
OF THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN INDIA
FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR
1898-99.
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
Horse and pony
stallions
belonging to
District
Boards, &c.
544. Table A will show the number of district horse and pony stallions at
the commencement of the year, the increase and decrease and the balance
remaining on 31st March 1899.
545. The year opened with a balance of 171, 42 were added and 15 were
struck off, leaving a balance of 198. This increase is satisfactory.
Casualties.
546 Table B will show the death-rate. This will show 5 casualties
against 10 last year. The reduction is satisfactory.
Sales.
547. Only three were sold against 9 last year.
Demand for Provin-
cial and District
Board stallions.
548. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
"Demand for stallions.—On the 31st March 1898, thirty-nine applications for Provincial stallions
remained uncomplied with. Three applications were received during the year, five vacancies occurred either on
account of casualties or transfers. Thus there are 47 applicants' names on the register. Of these 11 were com-
plied with and 2 applications withdrawn, viz., Kalian Singh of Phapounda and Mohamed Omer of Kairana,
leaving 34 applications uncomplied with at the end of the year. As only R5,000 have been sanctioned for
the purchase of stallions during the current year, the amount will be barely sufficient to refill vacancies, the
results of casualties and castings.
"Popularity of Provincial stallions.—As stated in my last year's report, the Arab pony stallions con-
tinue to be very popular with the zemindars and mare-owners and are much sought after. This will be readily
understood when it is remembered that at the present time 34 applications for these stallions remain uncom-
plied with. The popularity of this class of stallion is greatly due to the fact that they are ready coverers, sure
foal-getters and undoubtedly mark their stock."
549. The demand for Provincial stallions in the North-Western Provinces
is very great, and I regret to see that funds will not allow of the applications
being complied with, still it is satisfactory to note that 61 are at work. In
these Provinces small mares predominate, and there is ample work for these
ponies; the good they are doing is immense, and I shall be glad when the
financial position will allow of an increase.
550. The mares that are covered and the young stock by these ponies are
thus described by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-
-estern Provinces and Oudh:—
"The mares, taken as a whole, are good useful animals, although in some cases small, and are quite suitable
for mating with Provincial stallions. Those seen by me at Fatehpur, Rae-Bareli, Khnrja, Shahjehanpur,
Khunder, Narangabad and Bhagwanpur were very good, those at Bhulsua excellent, and those shown to me at
The Demonstration Farm, Meerut, were a promising lot. At Rae-Bareli several mares were over 14-2 in
height."
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
II.—MULE-BREEDING.
127
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
II.-MULE BREEDING.
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
MULE BREEDING.
Donkey stallions
belonging to
District Boards, etc.
571. Mule-breeding by District Board Agency exists to a very small
extent. The following summary, abstracted from Table J, will show exactly
how many donkeys are employed:—
North-Western Provinces . . . . .
North Punjab . . . . . . .
South Punjab . . . . . . .
Madras . . . . . . . .
No. of donkeys
employed.
5
1
6
3
15
No. of mares
covered.
55
50
261
81
447
Cost of feed and
keep of district
donkey stallions,
572. Table K will show the cost of feed and keep per donkey stallion
employed by District Boards.
Demand for
donkey stallions.
573. In the North-Western Provinces, where three are maintained by the
Provincial Government, and eight by Court of Wards, the Superintendent,
reporting on the demand for donkey stallions, states:—
"Five applications remained uncomplied with at the beginning of the year. None were received during
the year and none were supplied. Thus, there were five applications uncomplied with at the close of the year."
574. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states:—
"I concur with the late Superintendent that mule-breeding might be entirely left in the hands of the
Imperial Government. All good donkeys (the produce of the country) are purchased by the Civil Veterinary
Department, who have made every effort to increase this industry during the year and I consider with success."
575. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states.—
"If more donkey stallions were provided by District Boards, there is no doubt there would be a demand
for them, and that a greater advantage would accrue to the owners of small mares employing these donkey
stallions in preference to the ordinary country bred pony stallion."
576. The above Provinces may be said to be the only ones in which any
attempt is made by District Boards or the Provincial Government to maintain
donkeys for mule-breeding, still I agree with Veterinary-Lieutenant Trydell,
as far as the Punjab is concerned, that mule-breeding should be left to the
Imperial Government. We cannot expect District Boards to do everything,
and, as will be seen, they assist to their utmost in pony-breeding. Veterinary-
Lieutenant Trydell is, however, not correct in saying that all good donkeys are
purchased by this Department. I frequently offer a high price for a donkey
stallion, but the owner will not sell him, the reason being that he uses him to
cover his neighbour's mares. I encourage this as much as possible, as I feel
that these men are fostering mule-breeding and that Government is put to no
expense.
577. In the North-Western Provinces, I have never been able to trace that
this is done. I am therefore always glad when I see an addition to the donkey
strength maintained either by the Provincial Government or by Courts of
Wards.
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
III.—CATTLE DISEASE.-INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION.
158
(b) More supervision. As I have showed, more officers are required,
and in those provinces in which officers do not exist or in
such which employ a large number of Veterinary Assistants,
a supervising native staff of a superior grade is urgently called
for,
700. Table N will show that during the year the various Veterinary As-
sistants visited 32,124 villages and treated 165,844 animals. Year by year,
as will be seen from statistics given below, the subordinate staff is doing better
work.
Number of cases treated by Veterinary Assistants.
1895-96
1896-97
1897-98
1898-99
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
11,723
118,517
157,214
165,844
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
IV.—CATTLE-BREEDING, ETC.
165
CATTLE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
719. Quetta Show.—There were only 94 exhibits at the Show against 99 Baluchistan.
last year, as detailed below :—
Bulls . . . . . . .
Milch cows . . . . . .
Other cows . . . . . .
Bullock pairs . . . . . .
Rams . . . . . . .
Ewes . . . . . .
She Goats . . . . . .
He Goats . . . . . . .
Carts . . . . . .
TOTAL
1898-99.
19
5
12
3
17
9
25
3
1
94
1897-98.
24
5
9
3
22
13
8
4
6
99
Cattle brought to the show were not for sale. No purchasers were present.
The cattle were suitable for siege train and army transport purposes.
Twenty-eight cattle and one cart won prizes of the total value of R130.
720. Sibi Show.— There were 220 exhibits at the Show against 119 last
year.
Bulls . . . . . . . .
Cows . . . . . . . .
Oxen . . . . . . . .
Sheep . . . . . . . .
1898-99.
110
60
50
...
220
1897-98.
29
10
77
3
119
The large increase was probably due to the fact of its being known that
the Commissariat Department intended to purchase.
Out of the above exhibits 65 were sold, of which 49 were bullocks and 16
camels.
The following prizes were awarded :—
12 bulls . . . . . . . .
11 cows . . . . . . . .
16 oxen . . . . . . . .
R
50
50
72
172
No fees were realized at the show.
Punjab.
721. The Assistant to the Inspector General, Civil Veterinary Department,
attended the fairs of Jehazgarh and Hissar and reports :—
Jehazgarh.—The Mela was held in a wire enclosure. Water and fodder
were plentiful and sanitation good. There were in all 58,886 animals present
during the continuance of the Fair, comprising 36,081 bullocks, 16,021 cows
and 6,784 buffaloes. Of these 26,041 changed hands for a total sum of
R7,25,208 and from this sum R11,293-5-0 were realized in the form of fees for
the benefit of the District Funds.
The class of cattle, generally speaking, was decidedly good, and the
prices asked for some of the cattle were as high as R350 per pair. The Commis-
sariat Department was represented by Lieutenant O'Meara from Umballa,
who succeeded in purchasing 150 bullocks at an average cost of R80 each.
The majority of the cattle came from Rohtak, Gurgaon, and Hissar
Districts, and those sold were taken to Meerut, Aligarh, Dehli, Muzzarfarnagar,
Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, Gurgaon, Muradabad and Patiala.
The buffaloes were the finest I have seen in India, and were handsome
beasts. The average price for a good buffaloe cow was R58.
166
722. Hissar Fair.—The larger number of cattle assembled during the
earlier days of the fair, that is between the 2nd and 12th, and after the 9th
the numbers gradually diminished. A perusal of the statement attached will
very clearly show this.
The space allotted for the cattle was ample, and the watering
arrangements quite adequate.
The large majority of cattle present consisted of those brought from
Bikaner, and were well shaped little animals. There were some fine large
pairs of the Nagori breed but not many of these secured purchasers as the
prices asked were very high, as much as R180 and R250 being demanded.
Over 700,000 animals changed hands and realized for the District Board
the handsome sum of R11,071 in fees.
North-west
Provinces.
Makanpur Fair.—In this fair which is a mixed one for horses and cattle
the following are the number of cattle present:—
Bullocks . . . . . . . . . .
Cows
.
. . . . . . . . .
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . .
Sheep and Goats . . . . . . . . .
13,049
1,616
789
228
15,682
Thirty-eight bullocks of good stamp were purchased by the Commissariat
Department for siege train purposes at an average price of R77-12 each. No
money was allotted for prizes.
The number of registered sales was as follows:—
Bullocks . . . . . . . .
Cows . . . . . . . .
Buffaloes . . . . . . . .
4,298
988
453
5,739
Bengal
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, reports as
follows :—
Suri Fair—The exhibits though decreased slightly in number as com-
pared with last year showed an improvement in the quality of some of
the classes especially the sheep and heifers.
Bulls—The bulls exhibited were, in general, poor and only one of Hissar
breed was judged to be deserving of a prize. Two other well bred bulls,
one belonging to the District Board and the other to the Jail, did not compete
but were awarded certificates. The number of bulls exhibited was 6.
Bullocks—62 were exhibited of which 7 were awarded prizes.
Cows—30 were shown and the number of prizes given were 6.
Heifers—30 were present and 4 won prizes.
Steers—36 were exhibited of which 3 got prizes.
Sheep—26 sheep were exhibited of which 14 were Patna breed, and 12
local breed, 8 prizes were given to the Patna sheep, and 4 to the local.
A few Patna sheep have been imported into the district. The
owners do not allow them to cross with the local breed, but breed them
separately on a small scale. The wool of both varieties is exported, a small
quantity being used locally for blanket making. It appears, therefore, the
information which was given on a former occasion, namely, that Patna rams
were crossed with the local breed was incorrect. Both rams and ewes are
imported.
Besides the above a few bullocks and cows were brought from outlying
districts, but they were not allowed to compete as not belonging to the Birbbian
district.
The arrangements for judging the animals were excellent, each class having
a separate enclosure. Perfect order contributed in a great measure to the
success of the fair.
167
724. Barahpur Fair.—The number of cattle in the Fair was as follows:—
Ponies and buffaloes . . . . . . . .
Bullocks . . . . . . . . . .
R
3,331
24,730
28,061
No infectious diseases were reported. The bullocks were up to the usual
standard.
725. Sitamarhi Fair.—The number of cattle present was roughly calcu-
lated to be between 25,000 and 80,000.
Although the number of cattle brought to the Fair was equal to that of
other years yet the number of cattle exhibited was much less. In some classes
the quality of cattle exhibited this year was of a better stamp than last year.
The average price of bullocks was as follows :—
Large size pairs of best quality . . . . . .
Medium
„
good „ . . . . . .
Small cart bullocks . . . . . . . .
Buffaloes averaged . . . . . . . .
ft
120—165
100
75—85
40—50 per pair.
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
V.—VETERINARY INSTRUCTION.
177
employed in the districts; to do this requires a thorough knowledge of the
Burman character. For this reason I am particularly anxious to see another
officer employed in order that should we unfortunately lose Veterinary Captain
Evans' services either through sickness or by his proceeding on furlough, the
good work which he has so successfully started may be continued.
Remarks.
766. The educational institutions are doing good work by not only supply-
ing Veterinary Assistants for India but they are also furnishing trained men
for Imperial Service. During the year under review, 4 extra men (making 8
in all) have been sent to Uganda.
767. An Assistant Veterinary Assistant has been sent to Port Blair, where
already one is at work and as reported by the Superintendent, is giving satis-
faction to the villagers as well as to the District authorities.
768. At the present time, negotiations are proceeding respecting the
employment of a Veterinary Assistant in Somali land.
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
VI.—TOURS OF SUPERINTENDENTS.
2 A 2
181
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
VI.—TOURS OF SUPERINTENDENTS.
769. Table P. will show the tours of the various Superintendents. This
Table gives the distances travelled by rail, road, etc., the districts visited and
the Shows attended.
770. The work done by Superintendents connected with horse and mule-
breeding is as follows:—
Superintendent, North-Western Provinces . .
„
North Punjab . . . .
„
South Punjab . . . .
„
Baluchistan . . . .
„
Sind . . . . . .
„
Bombay . . . . .
2,647 miles travelled by road.
3,964
„
„
2,075
„
„
423
„
„
391
„
„
1,008
„
„
771. I am pleased to see an improvement in this direction—in all Pro-
vinces, except Baluchistan. The falling off in the latter is due to the fact that
this officer's attention had to be directed more to Sind than to Baluchistan
during the year.
772. The Superintendents whose duties may be described as being con-
nected with cattle, travelled the following distances by road:—
Superintendent, Bengal
„
Rajputana
„
Burma
„
Madras
633 miles.
Nil.
2,450
„
698
„
773. Again, no travelling was done in Ajmere-Merwara. This is to be
regretted, but as it was due to the Superintendent being on furlough for the
greater part of the year, this was unavoidable.
PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
VII.—GENERAL.
185
PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
VII.—GENERAL.
Provincial cost of
the Department.
774. Table Q. shows the Provincial cost of the Department during
1898-99 to have amounted to R3,16,938-11-0 against R2,67,161-13-1 last year.
GENERAL.
775. As affording a ready method for reference I purpose giving below a
short summary of the work done during the year:—
Imperial.
776. Last year it was with regret that I had to report a certain amount of
retrogression, and I feared that it would be sometime before this Department
recovered from the effects of famine, and the drain of mares caused by the Tirah
Expedition. It is therefore with great pleasure that I can report that horse and
mule-breeding have quite recovered from the abovenamed causes.
Horse-breeding—
Imperial.
777. Three hundred and twenty-one stallions were employed at stud work
against 314 last year. 15,694 mares were covered against 14,467 last year, and
15,152 in 1896-97, showing an increase of 1,227 when compared with last year.
This must be considered very satisfactory.
778. 48.84 mares were covered per stallion employed against 46.08 last
year, and 48.17 in 1896-97. The averages in our large breeding centres were
as follows:—
North-Western Provinces . . . . . . . .
North Punjab . . . . . . . . . . . .
South Punjab . . . . . . . . . . . .
Baluchistan . . . . . . . . . . . .
49.10
53.31
50.92
57.86
By the above it will be seen that all stallions covered the number expected of
them.
779. Four thousand and forty-five foals were dropped against 4,269 last
year. This must be accounted for by the poor condition of mares caused by
famine. This gives an average of 28 per cent. of successful coverings, and of
13 foals per stallion employed. Results, however, were not traceable in 1,548
cases; this would increase the above percentages were the results known.
780. One thousand seven hundred and sixty-three remounts were pur-
chased against 1,959 last year. This must be accounted for by the large
number of Australian remounts purchased by Regiments.
781. The cost of feed and keep fell greatly during the year under review.
782. The number of branded mares increased by 1,472. Three thousand
and eighty-nine were branded this year against two thousand seven hundred
and eighty-four.
Mule-breeding¬
Imperial.
783. Three hundred and fourteen (314) stallions were employed at stud
work against 291 last year. Eighteen thousand seven hundred thirty-nine pony
mares and 1,379 donkey mares were covered against 17,159 and 1,148 respect-
ively, showing an increase 1,580 pony and 231 donkey mares.
784. 64.60 mares per stallion employed were covered against 58.84 last
year, and 64.57 in 1896-97, showing that this industry has quite recovered
itself.
785. Three thousand three hundred and eighty-two foals were known to
be dropped against 3,637 last year, being a reduction of 255, caused no doubt
by the bad condition of the mares during 1897-98.
2 B