118
(b) That such young stock that are likely to make remounts, should be transferred to the Imperial
Service Troops, as by doing so the State would be saved the expense of purchasing them outside
the State; in fact, I would go further and would recommend that the Remount Department
who are prepared to pay double the amount paid by Imperial Service Cavalry, should be asked
to purchase the best of these, that may not be required by the State.
(c) The same remarks refer to mules.
"There is one point that I would draw special attention to, viz., the general improvement of the horse stock
of the State. This was begun 3 years ago, when eight stallions were posted to various Tehsils; last year only
five were employed, but I regret to find that only two are at present out, four being at Bahadurgarb.
"By the encouragement of this system of breeding, His Highness is conferring great advantages on his
subjects; the money which is now spent outside the State in the purchase of remounts, would be spent in the
State and the horse stock of India would be improved and increased.
"I sincerely trust that attention will be paid to this most important matter, and that it will shortly be placed
on some sound basis. If once properly organised on the lines previously explained by me, the expense to the
State would be trifling and the amount of good that would be done, would be great.
"Mule-breeding could be greatly pushed on the same lines, and would prove of great advantage by
furnishing the Transport required by the State."
I trust that, in future, more attention will be paid to the encouragement
of horse-breeding from zemindari mares.
637. The final report, showing the working of the Stud, both as affecting
the State Stud and zemindari mares, which was kindly submitted by the
Foreign Minister, is more encouraging; from it I gather that in all 151 mares
were covered by the horse stallions, of which 72 belonged to the Stud and 79
were the property of zemindars.
638. In accounting for the apparent diminution of numbers covered, the
property of the zemindars, Mr. Mackay states :—
"More than 60 per cent. of this year's coverings are new mares. There is a general idea among the farmers
in these districts that they ought only to breed every second year from the same mare. The passed two seasons
of scarcity have had a considerable effect on the industry."
639. The two district stallions "Solitaire" and "Honest Ned" have been
recalled from the districts on account chiefly of want of fodder. Their dis-
tricts were also too far for regular inspection, and reports as to work were con-
sequently unreliable. The Wazir having taken the matter in hand, orders
have been received to arrange for stands in more "convenient and well popu-
lated districts, and most probably Sirhind, Bani, and Rajpur will be supplied
with a horse and pony each after the first fall of rain."
I am pleased to hear this, as we shall meet with more success in endea-
vouring to improve the indigenous stock of the country than in fostering horse
breeding in the Stud.
640. Mule breeding has progressed since last year, and we may note a
yearly improvement:—
1894-95
1895-96
1896-97
.
.
.
14 mares were covered by donkeys.
38
58
ditto
ditto
ditto.
ditto.
This yearly improvement in this industry may be attributed to the inter-
est taken in the work by Mr. Mackay, who hopes that all old prejudices against
this industry are dying out.
Faridkot.
641. In this State I must acknowledge that the question of improvement
of the horse stock has been entered into with much spirit, and I would like to
place on record the cordial manner in which any advice I have been able to
offer has been received.
642. Last year, one Arab stallion was employed, and another one has now
been bought. When I visited the State in November last, 49 mares had been
covered by them, more would have been covered had one of them not been
ill during a great portion of the year; as, however, he had quite recovered, it
is hoped that they will have covered 50 mares each by the end of the year.
643. As stated last year, none but selected mares are allowed the services
of these stallions; these mares are branded F. S. At my visit, 20 mares were
brought up and I was asked to select such as I considered fit. I was able to
select 9, and one point which specially struck me was the anxiety shown by
the zemindars to have their mares branded, indicating that the efforts made by
the Ruler of this State to improve the breed, is fully appreciated. In fact, so
popular are these two Arab stallions becoming that I find that zemindars from