116
This has been agreed to but unfortunately I am not in a position to supply one.
It may be possible to obtain a Cyprian for this State during the current year.
686. The system of branding is rigorously adopted in this State, and as the
selection of mares fit for horse-breeding is left as much as possible for my yearly
visit, I am in a position to state that the brand is much sought after. The number
of branded mares in the State has risen from 148 in 1896-97 to 180 on 31st March
1898.
687. As usual, a small Horse Show was held in October when Rs. 889 were
distributed as prizes. 588 animals competed.
Jhind.
688. Horse-breeding does not make the progress in this State which I
anticipated it would. Whether it is owing to the famine from which the
tehsils of Jhind and Chakri Dadri suffered, or whether it is from a want of
interest shown in the matter by the Tehsildars, I cannot say, but the fact
remains that the work done is not satisfactory.
689. At Jhind there was at first ample work for two stallions. One
having died and not having been replaced, only one is now employed in this
tehsil.
690. At Chakri Dadri, where only one stallion is employed, only 30
mares were covered in 1896-97.
691. At Sangrur, the Head Quarters of this State, a Country-bred
stallion is maintained. He is worse than useless having shockingly bad fore
legs. I pointed out to the Council of Regency how advisable it was that a
horse that had covered 24 mares in 4 months should not be allowed to actually
do more harm than good, and I recommended that an Arab should be obtained
in his place. In reply, the President of the Council states that as only 5 of
the 24 mares covered belonged to Jhind, whilst the remainder came from
Patiala, Nabha and British territory, the State would not agree to purchase a
horse for their use.
692. Mule-breeding makes but little progress; it however, is succeeding
better than I anticipated at Sangrur, but in the other tehsil it may be said
to be non-existent.
693. Last year the Durbar gave Rs. 400 at the Hansi Show to be
competed for as prizes for mares and stock in the Jhind and Chakri Dadri
Tehsils, but this year they decided to hold a small Show of their own, in
connection with a religious festival, at Ramrai, distant about 5 miles from
Jhind.
One hundred and ninety-two (192) horses and ponies are said to have
been present, also :—
5
7
8
mules.
head of stock by State sires.
head of stock not by State sires.
The sum of Rs. 165 was awarded as prizes.
694. Since writing the above review of horse and mule-breeding in the
Jhind State, I find that matters have improved materially since my visit, and that
130 mares have been covered during the year. Of these 99 have been covered
by the Arabs, whereas I am glad to ascertain that only 31 have been covered
by the Sangrur stallion. Twenty-seven mares have been covered by the
2 donkey stallions against 13 last year.
Kapurthala.
695. It always affords me much pleasure to make an inspection of horse-
breeding arrangements in this State; everything is so thoroughly organized
that there remains hut little for me to offer advice upon, still, it is always
pleasant to see the results obtained by the different stallions. All are doing
most excellent work, but one Arab especially named "Etah" supplied to the
State now nearly 4 years ago, is the best stockgetter I have ever known; in
addition to this, he stamps his stock in a marked manner.
696. The State was unfortunate in losing one of its Arab stallions, but
with the usual liberality in all matters connected with horse-breeding, he has
been replaced by a fine powerful stallion of this class.