33
an average of 34.60 last year. The average per stallion in Gujarát is 49.32,
whereas in the Deccan it only amounts to 2087. The full complement of
mares per stallion should be 50 and the figures for the Deccan are far from
satisfactory.
59. The maintenance of the stallions is charged in equal proportions to
Government and to the District Local Board in whose jurisdiction they stand.
The cost of transit from stand to stand is charged to Government, and the cost
of repairs to stabling, &c., is regarded as a maintenance charge. The cost of
feed, keep and transit is shown in Table XII and the average cost for the last
two years is shown below :—
Year l907-08 ... ...
„ 1908-09 ... ...
Rs.
482
507
This shows an increase of Rs. 25 and is partly due to it having been found
necessary to change certain horses from stand to stand, in some cases because
some stallions were overworked and others underworked, and in other cases
because the stallions had been standing in the same place for several years.
Again, also this year certain charges were incurred on account of repairs, &c,
to stabling. The prices of grain and fodder have also ruled high.
60. Horse-breeding in this Presidency is dying out to a very great extent
and especially is this noticeable in the Deccan non-selected districts. The
cause of this is due to economic changes resulting in the necessity of horses
not being felt by the people to anything like the same extent as formerly and
to the fact that a long series of bad years has forced many breeders to part with
their good mares. It is highly improbable that horse-breeding as an industry
will long survive in the Deccan. In Gujarát things are somewhat different,
and the decay in horse-breeding is likely to be a longer process there as the
conditions of the country still render horses a necessity or a great convenience
to large numbers of people.
(3).—OTHERS
61. There is no information to be recorded under this heading.
(4).—FAIRS AND SHOWS
(a)—Horse Shows.
62. During the year under report there were two horse shows held in
this Presidency
One that at Ahmednagar, a selected district, was held as
heretofore under the auspices of the Army Remount Department,
The
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, however, attends the show, and
acts as one of the judges. The other was held at Ahmedabad, a non-
selected district and therfore under the supervision of the Civil Veterinary
Department.
63. The Ahmedabad Horse Show.—This was held on 20th to 25th March
1909. It was a success and the people took keen interest in it. The stock
shown was better than in former years. The number of entries was 46 has
against 540 at the last show in 1906. The sum of Rs. 2,090 was distributed in
prizes and silver medals were awarded for the best mare and filly in the Show.
The success of this Show is largely due to the interest taken in it by the District
Officers and also to the enthusiasm displayed by Rao Bahadur Krishna Lal
Ochavram, the Honorary Assistant Secretary, who carried out all the arrange-
ments admirably.
A detailed report on the Show will be submitted to
Government by the Secretary.
(b) Cattle Fairs and Shows.
64. This year in addition to the annual cattle shows held at Mhaswad
and Sholápur several new shows were instituted under the auspices of Agricul-
B 309—9