115
534. There is one point of great interest in the report submitted by Major
Jones, Military Assistant; it is the want of fertility in English and Australian
mares in this country. On this point Major Jones states :—
"Taking the mares separately according to breeds, the percentage of births to coverings would stand
thus:—
BREED.
English . . . . .
Australian . . . .
Stud-bred . . . .
Mahratta . . . .
Persian
.
.
.
.
.
1897-98.
Mares covered
in the previous
years.
3
46
111
7
1
Foals born.
...
9
43
2
...
Percentage.
...
19.78
38.73
28.57
...
1896-97.
Percentage.
25.00
25.37
39.19
100.00
...
535. Nine mares were covered for mule breeding during 1898-99 against
eleven last year.
KASHMIR.
Kashmir.
536. Mule-breeding operations in this State have been suspended owing
to the death of one of the donkeys and to the absence of Major-General
Anderson in England. It was deemed advisable to remove the other donkey
until he returns. I, however, trust, with the appointment of a Veterinary
Officer to this State and with General Anderson's assistance, to see mule
breeding started at an early date.
KATHIAWAR STATES.
537. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, makes
the following remarks with reference to horse and mule breeding in the
Kathiawar States:—
"Mule breeding has been recently introduced in Kathiawar, and the States of Junagad and Manwader has
each purchased a donkey stallion from this Department, and the industry, it is hoped, will shortly be established.
Too much encouragement cannot be given to this industry as the supply of mules is undoubtedly inadequate to
the demand in India for transport purposes. The mule is very easy to breed, can be reared much cheaper than
horse stock, and will always command a comparatively higher price. I would strongly advocate a continuance of
a class of Baggage ponies. As the scheme of holding the Kathiawar Show at different places in turn appears to
have been attended with very little success, the Judges and all concerned have pronounced Rajkot to be the
best centre. I quite agree with the remark of the Political Agent with regard to the encouragement of the
private breeders. They should receive all the encouragement possible by receiving prizes at Shows, especially
for the brood mare class and remounts. It is to be hoped that all Durbars will allow the free use of their
stallions amongst the Girasia class. With regard to the keeping of young stock by Girasias until they reach the
remount age, all owners should be freely informed that young stock which are got by approved sires out of big
mares will always be purchased by the Remount Agent when one year old, providing they reach the proper
standard, so that the expense of further keep to them is obviated. I am glad to see the suggestion by the
Political Agent that Durbars should buy young stock has been received with favour. With regard to the
breeding of remounts, I think it will be very satisfactory if the breeding of Light Cavalry horses should be suc-
cessful. No hope need be entertained with regard to breeding Gun horses, and the successful breeding of
Cavalry remounts will only be attained by careful nursing of the young stock. This can only be attained, as
the Political Agent suggests, by these Girasias who are too poor to feed their animals, by placing them in
Durbar paddocks or selling to the Remount Agent."
Bhavnagar, Juna-
gad. Rajkot, Wan-
kaner and Morvi.
538. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, further states:—
"The marginally-noted studs were visited and nine head of young stock purchased, including four mules.
Colonel Hunter is taking a keen interest in these studs and satisfactory progress is being made in all of them.
It is very gratifying to notice the progress which has been made in Rajkot. This stud has only been working
some two years, and the Remount Agent this year purchased two head of young stock and two mules. Mule
breeding is being taken up by some of the studs, and this year Wadhwan and Rajkot have ordered Cyprian
donkeys. Rajkot has taken over the Government stallion from Palitana, and it has been proposed that Bhav-
nagar should also have a Government stallion under the same conditions. It is to be regretted that Palitana did
not keep the Government stallion, but the Thakor Sahib did not agree with the conditions.
"I also visited the Native State of Palanpur. The horse-breeding arrangements were not so satisfactory
as they might be, but the Political Superintendent, Mr. FitzGerald, is taking a keen interest in this work and
matters may improve."
O 2