22
Expeditions. Baluchistan and Central India, the two new centres, show improved
percentages. The Deccan may be said to have entirely given up mule-breeding.
Sind remains stationary, but I trust that an improvement will be possible in this
important mule-breeding centre.
117. In our large mule-breeding centres of Northern India, the following
mares have been covered during the past two years:—
N.-W. Provinces
North Punjab ...
South Punjab ...
1896-97.
Pony mares.
3,553
8,053
5,504
17,110
Donkey mares.
96
925
185
1,206
1897-98.
Pony mares.
3,532
7,835
4,905
16,272
Donkey mares.
150
850
139
1,139
The falling off, representing as it does, 838 pony mares and 67 donkey mares,
is not as great as I anticipated owing to the abovementioned causes.
118. The forecast for the current year is decidedly gloomy. The drain on
the pony mare supply has been undoubtedly great during the past year owing to
the demand for Transport for the late Frontier Expeditions. Although, in no way
complete, we are in a position to prove that 3,599 pony mares were removed from the
Punjab and 1,016 from the North-Western Provinces. Every endeavour will be
made to counteract the injurious effects that such a drain must cause to mule-
breeding, still I cannot but fear that this will lead to a great reduction in the
coverings for 1898-99.
Demand for
donkey stallions.
119. The demand is much greater than the supply. The difficulty lies in
obtaining suitable Jacks, and as will be shown when speaking of the supply of
Ordnance mules, this important subject will have to be seriously considered if the
mule supply required by this country is to be maintained.
120. On this subject the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states :—
The demand for donkey stallions continues steady in these Provinces. Four new stands are being opened,
viz: at Dataganj, Ghazipur, Kharkhowda and Tilhar ; all of them will, I believe, be very successful. Ghazipur is
absolutely fresh ground.
121. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
remarks as follows :—
The demand for donkey stallions is greater than the supply. As in the previous year, many donkeys have
been allowed to cover more than their full number of mares, some going up to a hundred and more, but this may
cause an increase in the number of mares reported as 'not held,' though only donkeys in very good condition
have been overworked.
More big donkeys are required for production of mules fit for Ordnance purposes. During the covering
season many more donkeys could be employed if there were more donkey stallions and donkey stands.
122. There can be no doubt that we have not enough donkey stallions; some
are overworked and, as stated above, this may very possibly lead to mares going
empty.
123. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, when
remarking on this point in his Annual Report, states:—
Donkey stallions are very much needed, there is room for some 20 more. There are 45 sixteen years old
and upwards, several of which might be replaced with great advantage. During the year constant demands
appear to have been made for donkeys by Deputy Commissioners, Tehsildars and others. Though the above
show that the average of coverings is less than last year, the returns show that the young donkeys covered very
often as many as 80 to 100, whilst the average of the old ones is shown to be very much below this.
124. From the above it will be seen that our young and old donkeys are
overworked. Mule-breeding is, I fear, much hampered by the want of Jacks.
This fact has been brought to the notice of Government, and I hope we shall be
in a better position shortly.
Class of donkey
stallions.
125. During the year under review, the following donkey stallions were
received by importation:—
Italian
Cyprians
...
...
Total
...
...
15
21
36
but of these 5 were for the Ulwar State and 1 for the Pertabgarh Court of Wards-