129
In Salem, however, it was the reverse, viz :—
Mares covered by pony stallions, 177 against
„
„ by donkey „
39 „
43
28
780. If, therefore, we consider the pony and mule-breeding operations in the
Madras Presidency as a whole, the results are satisfactory, giving as they do an
increase of 106 more mares covered by pony stallions, and we find that mule-
breeding has held its own, 2 more mares having been covered than was the case last
year. On the above points, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Deparment,
states :—
On the whole, the number of coverings effected during the year is satisfactory. The decrease in the work of
some of the stallions is reported to be due to the fact that the people were unwilling to send their mares for
covering during certain months in the year, as owing to want of fodder, the mares were weak and emaciated, and
there were difficulties in procuring fodder for the journey.
781. Referring to mule-breeding, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, explains that one of the donkeys was ill for a lengthened period in the
Salem district.
In Coimbatore, the syces were ill for some time, from which it appears that
no one else understands the management of Jacks, which should be rectified; and
this combined with the appearance of Cholera, all tended to reduce the number of
coverings.
782. The results obtained from last year's coverings are better than they
have hitherto been.
In the Coimbatore district, of 342 coverings, results are known in 254
cases, not known in 88. Of the 254 which are known, 93 were successful, giving
37 per cent. as against 23 per cent. last year.
In the Salem district, of 128 coverings, results are known in 74 cases,
unknown in 54. Of the 74 which are known, 36 were successful, giving 48
per cent. against 26 per cent. last year.
783. The results obtained by the donkey stallions are not as satisfactory.
Of 64 mares covered last year, results are known in 39 cases, of which only 9
were successful. This the Superintendent attributes to the fact that mares are
probably not in season when covered, and also that many of the mares covered are
in too low condition to enable them to hold.
Pony and Mule
breeding in
Bengal.
784. Pony-breeding.—This subject is receiving the attention of the Bengal
Government, and the Superintendent has been directed by His Honor the
Lieutenant-Governor to study the subject, as he has noticed that the ponies of
Bengal are deteriorating.
785. Veterinary-Captain Raymond is considering what can be done, but as
he very wisely remarks, the first thing to be done is to collect all the information
possible from the various parts of Bengal where there is a chance of pony-breeding
being successful.
786. One District Board pony is kept at Buxar; this pony covered 56 mares
during the year. Veterinary-Captain Raymond describes the progeny which he has
seen as nice little ponies with good straight legs and an improvement on the ordi-
nary tat of the country.
787. Mule-breeding.—A donkey stallion is posted to Guntok, (Sikkim). In
January, the Political Agent reported as follows :—
Up to date the donkey has covered no mares, the people considering these last months unfavorable for good
results. It is hoped that the people will now bring in their mares to be covered, and notices to this effect have
been issued.
788. The Political Agent now reports that the donkey is at Lachung but
that no reports of the number covered have been received; for this reason no
statistics can be given.
789. During the year under review, the Vice-Chairman of the Buxar
Municipality offered to look after a donkey. I agreed to send one and that this
Department should pay all expenses connected with feed and keep, but as the funds
at my disposal were very limited I could not see my way to pay transit charges;
the matter therefore fell through. I shall be glad to submit the question for the
sanction of the Government of India whenever a donkey stallion is available, but
as I have previously shown, this Department cannot get sufficient Jacks to supply
the wants of Northern India.