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134. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
"There is still a steady demand for donkey stallions. One new stand has been opened at Moradabad; the
stand at Jhansi has been abolished, as there was not sufficient work; that at Hardoi has proved a success."
135. The demand for donkey stallions in North Punjab is much greater
than the number which can be supplied. From remarks previously made,
it will be seen that the difficulty lies in obtaining a sufficient number of jacks
suitable for mule-breeding. On the class of donkey required, the Superintend-
ent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, states:—
"The Italian donkey is the most popular, and I think the best class of stallion for this country. The
Persian I do not like; his color (slate) is against him; he does not possess necessary size and bone, and besides
this as a general rule, is a bad coverer.
"Some very fine Punjabi donkeys, mostly by Italian sires, were purchased by the Inspector General,
Civil Veterinary Department, at Gujrat and Rawalpindi; these were young, well grown donkeys, showing a lot
of Italian blood in many cases. They ought to stand the climate well and get good stock."
136. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab
states:—
"The demand for donkey stallions in all districts, except Kangra, is greater than the supply. Many
donkeys have been allowed to cover more than their full number of mares, some going up to a hundred and
more; this may possibly account for an increase in the number of mares reported as 'not held,' though only
donkeys in very good condition have been overworked."
137. By the foregoing, it will be seen that the demand is steady in the
North-Western Provinces and Oudh, and greater than the supply in North
and South Punjab. In the concluding paragraph of my remarks on the class
of donkey stallion obtained this year, I have shown that the prospects of our
supply are gloomy. I shall therefore have to make certain recommendations to
Government with a view of increasing the number available.
Class of donkey
stallions.
138. During the year under review, the following were received by import-
ation:—
Italians
Spanish
Cyprians
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20
9
13
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of the above, only ten Cyprians were for the Government of India, the remain-
ing three were obtained for the State of Bhurtpore where mule-breeding is
being commenced in earnest.
139. The following donkeys were purchased in India —
Arabs .
Punjabis
Baluch
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3
18
1
22
In addition to the 18 Punjabi donkeys abovementioned, 10 young donkeys
averaging 2¼ years of age, were bought and are being run on the Instruction
Farm at Babugarh.
140. I shall first deal with the jacks that may be looked upon as likely to
get good transport mules, with an occasional one fit for ordnance purposes;
these may be said to include the whole of those purchased in India, together
with a certain proportion of the smaller Cyprians obtained by importation.
141. The demand for donkey stallions, as has been shown above, is a most
difficult question. We should be able to put our hands on a large number
during the next few years, as our average age is by far too high. When I
assumed charge of this Department, I pointed out that the number of jacks
on our registers, of 16 years of age and upwards, was 79, and although as
many as possible have been got rid of, we shall have by next January 94 of
this age. This is a serious matter to contemplate as we have not the means of
replacing them.
142. During the year under review, it was thought that the following
number would have been available in India:—
Persians
Country-breds
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15
16
31