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709. Mule breeding was commenced in June last, and considering that it
has never succeeded before, I think we may say that it has proved a greater
success than was anticipated, 64 mares having been covered by the 4 Jacks
bought by the Madras Government. The number of mares covered would
have still been greater had they been employed during the whole year, and had
one not been sick.
On the question of mule breeding, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Madras, states :—
"Now, regarding the coverings of donkey stallions, it is observed that the two Jacks stationed at Kollegal
covered in all 36 mares, 10 of which were contributed by Mr. Holmes on whose initiation the industry was un-
dertaken. It is said that most of his mares are in foal. Considering the deep-rooted prejudics of the people
against the service of Jacks in these countries, the number of coverings is satisfactory. In the face of the
interest taken by Mr. Holmes, the prejudice of the natives is likely to wear off before long and better results
may be expected in the nearest future.
"In Salem, only 28 mares were covered by the two stallions—9 by 'Mohra' and 19 by 'Angoor.' The short
work of the former was due to the fact that the animal was now and again ill. In this district, too, there appears
to exist strong pejudice against the service of the animals. Every endeavour will be made by the officers of
this Department and the Revenue officials to try to overcome their prejudice by holding out hopes of rewards in
the case of successful covering. While at Tirupur, during the late Pony Show, I induced several owners of
brood mares to get them covered by Jacks, and a few were covered in my presence."
710. As far as results of last year's coverings are concerned, it would
appear that in the Coimbatore district, of 267 mares covered in the previous
year, 86 could not be traced, and of the 181 remaining, 41 produced foals, giv-
ing an average of 23 per cent. against 30 per cent. last year.
In Salem district, of 123 coverings, results are known only in 87 cases,
and from these only 5 foals were dropped.
Either the information obtained is very unreliable, or the results obtained
must go to prove that the system is totally wrong, or the ponies unfit for their
work. On this point, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Madras,
reports as follows:—
"The results of coverings during 1895-96, taken as a whole, are not satisfactory, and this may be probably
due to the poor condition of the mares covered and subsequent neglect of the owners, both as to their feeding
and care. It may also to a great measure be due to the covering being effected out of season, which is the chief
point for success, and this will be impressed on the minds of the Salutris and the Officers in charge of the
stallions. Detailed instruction as to feeding and general management of brood mares and foals, and those with
foal at foot and also rearing of young stock, have been issued in Tamil as well as in English to the owners of
ponies for guidance."
Pony and Mule
breeding in
Bengal.
711. I doubt if pony breeding will ever prove a very great success in
Bengal, still the supply of good stallions, if purchased with care and with a
view of mating properly with the ponies of the Province for which they are
selected, must tend to the improvement of the country "tat" and would assist
in furnishing transport on an emergency. Any efforts therefore that may be
made in any part of India should be encouraged. On this question the Super-
intendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, reports as follows :—
"As far back as 1888 it was generally reported, in answer to enquiries made in 1888 of the Commissioners by
Mr. M. Finucane, that horse-breeding does not succeed in Bengal owing to the dampness of the climate; but the
Managers of the Wards' Estates of Churaman and Sankarpur were of opinion that good sized Bhutan-Burma
pony stallions would be useful on those estates. In Bihar horse and pony breeding has been carried out by some
of the planters, and I understand that Mr. J. J. McLeod, C.S.I., has been successful.''
"Possibly pony breeding in the Darjeeling district as a means of getting better mares for mule breeding in
that district and in Sikkim might be worth considering."
"In Buxar there is a pony stallion belonging to the District Board which is looked after by Babu Hardhyan
Singh, but 1 have not seen any of its produce. The stallion's name is "Ruby," and he covered 48 mares during
the year under review. It is reported that mares of 13-hands do not always hold, but smaller mares do."
" The produce of former years is said to be invariably better than that of the local tats."
712. On the subject of mule breeding, Veterinary Captain Raymond
reports as follows:—
" During the past year the donkey stallion Teheran' has been the sole representative of the Government
stud donkeys in Bengal. He was sent back to the Babugarh Depôt in January 1897 as he had failed as a mule
getter. Reference to appended statement will show that Teheran covered only 16 pony mares during
1895-96, and not one mule was produced."
" The failure of one donkey stallion should not cause discouragement, considering the importance of mules to
the Military Department. I would suggest that this matter be persevered with until success does reward our
work."
" I am happy, therefore, to be able to report that the Inspector General, Civil Veterinary Department, has
consented to send another donkey stallion to Guntok, and the necessary conditions have been accepted by the
Political Officer of Sikkim."
" It is proposed to attempt to further develop mule-breeding in Sikkim, and I hope to be able to find time
to visit the district with this object."
" I am glad to report that an attempt to introduce mule breeding into Buxar has been sanctioned by the
Inspector General, Civil Veterinary Department, and only awaits the approval of the Government of Bengal.
Babu Hardhyan Singh, Vice-Chairman of the Buxar Municipality, has undertaken to look after the donkey
stallion."