29
GUZERAT.
Identically the same efforts were made in this Province, as in the Deccan, and the following table will show
that the result proves far from satisfactory. The ryots steadily refuse to breed mules and I was compelled to
abandon any further attempt.
Table showing the progress of mule-breeding in Guzerat.
Year.
1883-84
1884-85
1885-86
1886-87
1887-88
1888-89
1889-90
1890-91
1891-92
1892-93
1893-94
1894-95
1895-96
1896-97
Stallions.
0.60
0.60
1.0
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.35
1.0
1.0
1.0
Mares
covered.
...
...
16
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
11
17
19
19
Produce.
...
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
...
3
6
11
9
Mares
covered
per
stallion.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
31.42
17.0
19.0
19.0
Produce
per
stallion.
...
... }
...
... ...
...
...
}
...
...
8.57
6.0
11.0
9.0
REMARKS.
Statistics incomplete.
There was no donkey
stallion.
KATHIAWAR.
Several of the State paddocks have purchased donkey stallions within the last few years, and quite recently
three more applications have been received. It is proposed, as soon as they are obtainable, to locate one or two donkey
stallions in every paddock, and I trust that the industry, when fairly started, will flourish in this Province. The
Bhavnagar State, some 8 years ago, bred a few mules which are at present in the Transport of the Imperial Lancers.
They are without exception some of the finest I ever saw in India; short-legged, with immense bone and very
powerful, and prove without doubt, that the climate and soil of Kathiawar is well adapted for this purpose.
Table showing the progress of mule-breeding in Sind.
Year.
1882-83
1883-84
1884-85
1885-86
1886-87
1887-88
1888-89
1889-90
1890-91
1891-92
1892-93
1893-94
1894-95
1895-96
1896-97
Stallions.
1.0
4.16
6.57
8.88
15.08
18.22
19.25
19.00
20.00
23.13
19.13
17.40
18.00
18.81
22.40
Mares
covered.
4
140
214
278
570
751
838
797
846
988
814
788
687
786
693
Produce,
3
18
10
40
61
81
66
57
83
92
99
91
89
106
164
Mares
covered
per
stallion.
4.00
33.65
32.57
34.57
37.79
41.21
43.53
41.94
42.3
44.64
42.55
45.28
38.16
41.78
30.93
Produce
per
stallion.
3.0
5.62
4.80
9.09
9.80
11.37
6.38
4.52
4.88
6.74
5.17
5.95
4.94
5.64
7.32
REMARKS.
Mule-breeding was commenced in Sind in the year 1882 and the above table will show what progress has
been made. The majority of the stallions have been concentrated in the Shikarpur and Jacobabad districts. But
stallions have within the last few years been placed in the Hyderabad district, the industry has taken root rapidly and
promises to flourish. The Sindhi, I think, prefers breeding a mule to a horse and if only some scheme could be devised
whereby a market could be found for all young mule stock, I feel sure that the industry would make very much more
rapid progress than it has hitherto done. The proposed scheme of the Government of India for allowing all marcs
whether branded or not, to be covered by donkey stallions, is a step in the right direction, although I wish to bring
to the notice of Government that the rule of covering only branded mares has been more or less held in abeyance for
several years, and the general principle followed out that no mare, no matter how bad she may be, is unlit to be
mated with a donkey stallion, as it is an undoubted fact that some of our best and most shapely mules are out of the
most unsound and ill-shaped mares in India. Parts of Sind can, therefore, be classed as distinctly good and capable
of still further development.
159. From the above it will be seen that no mules can be expected to be
bred in the Deccan, Khandesh, or Guzerat. I fear that, as far as Kathiawar is con-
cerned, Government cannot expect to obtain a supply from this part of India; the
number bred will no doubt be scarcely sufficient for local requirements, still, as
reducing the demand from our own supply by the States breeding mules for them-
selves, it will be a most useful adjunct to our own operations.
160. Sind promises well, and Government must be prepared to assist the
breeders as much as possible by purchasing their young stock.