11
stallion has fallen from 37.86 to 29.64. This fall is mostly in Sind and specially
in the case of Persian donkeys. I cannot account for the falling off in the
total number of coverings, and District Officers are unable to give any reason.
(3).—Produce.
Number foaled.
43. Out of 872 mares covered during last year, 127 or 14.56 per cent.
foaled, 498 or 57.11 per cent. did not hold, and the
result of 247 or 28.33 per cent. mares is not known.
The average number of produce "foaled" per stallion has increased from 4.42
to 5.51, number "not held" has remained stationary, and the number "not
known" has risen from 7.40 to 10.72. The statistics, however, are unreliable
for reasons given in last year's report (paragraph 37). Vide also Supplement to
Table IX appended to this report.
III.—HORSE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Review on each horse fair
and show.
44. Table XV is an abstract showing the number of stock exhibited, the
number of remounts purchased and the number of
prizes awarded at several horse shows held in the year
1896-97. A short review on each is given below:—
Ahmednagar.
45. Commenced on the 12th November 1896. The total number of
animals exhibited amounted to 546 against 926 last
year. Owing to the great scarcity which prevailed, it
was proposed at one time to abandon the show; but further consideration deemed
this inadvisable. As expected, the numbers were considerably less than former
years, but the quality was fully maintained, and considering the adverse condi-
tions under which it was held, it was a success, as the animals were shown in
excellent condition, and only breeders from a long distance did not attend.
Classes.—Brood mares, yearlings and two-year old fillies good.
Remounts.—A slight improvement on former years.
Mules and Mule-breeding.—I am still further convinced that mule-breeding
in the Deccan is an absolute waste of Government money, and have removed
almost all the donkey stallions to where their services are fully utilized. The
Deccan rayat is strictly opposed to getting his mare covered by a donkey stallion,
and, in spite of the efforts of this Department, no material progress has been
made.
The Remount Agent purchased 7 head of young stock for the depôt, which,
considering the size of the show, is satisfactory. The Poona Horse purchased 4
head of young stock and 11 ponies for transport purposes, and 13 head of stock
were purchased by private individuals, making a satisfactory total of 35 animals
bought and sold.
General Remarks.—It has definitely been fixed that the show is in future to
be held at Ahmednagar, and the alternate arrangement of Poona and Ahmed-
nagar to be abandoned.
Jacobabad (Sind show).
46. Held at Jacobabad and commenced on the 11th January 1897. The
total number of animals exhibited amounted to 1,395
(the largest on record) against 956 at Shikárpur last
year.
Classes.—Brood mares,—a very large and excellent class.
Young Stock.—Not as good as in former years, no doubt affected to a certain
extent by the fact of the Sibi show having been held so shortly before the Sind
show.
Remounts.—Numbers less than at Jacobabad in 1895 and practically the
same as at Shikárpur last year. As this class is chiefly composed of Northern
horses it is impossible to assign any further reason for there being no increase
beyond the rumoured action of the Amir with regard to the heavy export duty,
and it is to be hoped that the new route will favourably affect this trade. That
the horses were useful is proved by the fact that nearly half, viz. 90, were pur-
chased as remounts.
Mules and Mule-breeding—Mares.—A very large and excellent class compar-
ed with former years, a large number of them capable of breeding good mules.