10
78 were employed in the North Punjab out of 100 on the Register.
68 were employed in the South Punjab out of 103 on the Register, but
of these, 15 were unallotted; the numbers really are 68 out of 88.
40 were employed in Baluchistan out of 51 on the Register.
56. In these, the four largest breeding centres, 252 stallions were at work
against 247 last year. The remaining stallions were in the Depôts either for rest,
conditioning, or acclimatization, or were on the sick list.
Average number
of mares covered
per stallion.
57. Table IV. also shows the number of mares covered per stallion employed.
The following is a summary for the past 3 years:—
North-Western Provinces ..
North Punjab .. ..
South Punjab .. ..
Baluchistan .. ..
Deccan .. ..
Guzerat .. ..
Sind and Cutch ..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1895-96.
45.3
48.27
54.48
55.54
33.68
28.52
41.58
1896-97.
51.00
52.11
52.07
58.43
32.29
29.70
33.65
1897-98.
48.2
49.76
48.95
60.34
23.33
29.41
32.78
58. Famine has shown its results in this year's coverings, as there is a
slight reduction in the three most important breeding centres of Northern India;
the general average in North-Western Provinces, North Punjab, and South Punjab
being 49 instead of 52 as it was last year.
59. It is, however, pleasing to find that Baluchistan, which I consider one of
our best breeding grounds, shows an increase of 2 mares covered per stallion
employed.
60. Remarking on this subject, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states:—
The results obtained in these Provinces may be considered as very satisfactory, especially when it is borne
in mind that in several districts the effects of the late famine have been, until quite lately, severely felt.
61. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states:—
For two years, famine and scarcity have greatly retarded the progress of breeding ; scores of good mares
have been sold off to pay the Bunnias, or because their owners could not keep them, or they have been sent out
of the districts in search of fodder, or have died.
The coverings of the Thoroughbreds are usually above the average, and although the Hackneys and Norfolk
Trotters are gradually diminishing in numbers, their lists are harder to fill every year, the breeders refusing to
take their services when a Thoroughbred is available.
62. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, ac-
counting for the slight reduction in the number of mares covered, states:—
This decrease is due to the late famine, and to the impressment of animals for transport purposes for the
late Frontier Expeditions. Many Tehsildars informed me (and the information was quite unsolicited) that
breeders were afraid to bring their mares to the tehsils for the services of Government stallions and for branding,
fearing they would be pressed for Government service.
63. Another reason brought forward by this Officer is stated as follows:—
In the districts of Multan, Montgomery, Ferozepore, Amritsar and Umballa, there is a rapidly growing
dislike to the Norfolk Trotter stallion, breeders in these districts have everywhere asked for Thoroughbred
English or big Arab stallions in place of Norfolk Trotters and small Arabs.
64. Taking all the above facts into consideration, I think the Government
of India will agree with me in thinking that the decrease in the number of mares
covered is but small.
Maps.
65. Maps will be found in the cover of this report, showing the breeding
districts, the stands where stallions are located, and the number of stallions at
each stand.
Demand for
stallions.
66. On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-
Western Provinces and Oudh, states:—
The Norfolk Trotter and Hackneys are losing favor every day with the zemindars, and the Thoroughbreds
are fast growing in popularity, more especially is this the case in the old established stands where the Darindahs
and zemindars have been able to compare the stock obtained by the respective classes of stallions, although in a
few districts such as Bareilly, Shahjehanpur, Moradabad and Budaon, the Norfolk Trotter still retains its
popularity to some extent. The Thoroughbred Australians and Thoroughbred English are the favorities, and
after these come the Arabs. Since I have introduced the system of systematically parading the stallions at the
different Fairs and Shows, I have had innumerable applications for the services of the Thoroughbred English and
Australians.
The zemindars also find that they obtain more prizes at the various Shows with Thoroughbred youngsters,
as they always show much more quality and are better shaped than the progeny of the Norfolk Trotter, and finally
they get better prices when selling.
67. This is, in my opinion, just as it should be, and I feel convinced that
the adoption of the policy above indicated will be the means of improving the
horse stock of the country immensely. In the old established districts, such as