32
I do not purpose entering into the question of the number branded for
mule-breeding; this system is only carried out in Bombay, and might well be
abolished in that Presidency.
The numbers remaining on 31st March 1897, stood as follows:—
For Horse-breeding
.
..
.
.
.
„ Pony-breeding
.
..
.
.
.
22,603
4,906
This reduction is mainly due to the careful supervision of the Registers
exercised by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, who
struck off 1,553 for horse and 978 for pony-breeding as being useless. On this
point, this Officer states:—
"It has been deemed advisable to go carefully through the registers and strike off all mares over 20 years
of age, as I am of opinion that few mares in this country are worth breeding from after they have attained
this limit."
I fully concur in his opinion, and shall call upon all Superintendents to
do the same.
170. It would be useless to note in this summary the various causes which
led to increase and decrease in the number of mares present; this can be
gathered by reference to Table XII; it will be sufficient to show the number
branded for horse-breeding in the various Provinces; these stand as follows:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
. . . . .
North Punjab . . . . . . .
South Punjab
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan
.
.
.
.
.
.
Bombay
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1896-97.
412
518
718
696
236
1895-96.
391
913
1,015
806
621
The North-Western Provinces have maintained their average, which is
satisfactory, considering the disadvantages under which horse-breeding has
been carried on during the past year.
There is a decided falling off in the Punjab and Baluchistan, but it must
be remembered that the numbers branded last year were abnormally high.
Bombay proportionately shows the greatest falling off. On this point,
the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
"The decrease is due to the fact that my tour in the Deccan was practically useless, as owners absolutely
refused to bring their mares to be branded, owing to the great scarcity which prevailed. Many of them
attended the various camps, and explained that it was impossible for them to buy fodder away from their own
villages, and they could not bring their mares if the camp happened to be more than five miles away from their
homes.
"I was compelled to abandon my tour in Sind, as the whole of my establishment was placed in quarantine
for 15 days at Karachi; at the expiration of which time, it was necessary for me to attend the two Horse Shows
at Moro and Talhar, and then proceed to Cutch."
171. In a Province where horse-breeding is not flourishing, these drawbacks
are to be regretted, as they must prove prejudicial to the interests of the
industry in future.
Popularity of
the brand.
172. During the year under review, I have carefully watched the branding
system adopted by the various Superintendents. I have done so to acquaint
myself with the fact that whether any objections are raised by the zemindars
to its imposition, and also to see whether it was conducive to owners refusing
to breed from the best fillies, as was stated by the late Director of Land
Records and Agriculture, Punjab.
173. I have convinced myself that the system of branding, as carried out
by this Department, is most popular. Zemindars have informed me that they
consider it enhances the value of their mares; for, although they cannot sell
to Remount Officers, except under certain conditions, still dealers are inclined
to pay more for them, as they look upon the brand as a guarantee of sound-
ness and quality.
174. At Shahpur, I saw breeders following the Superintendent begging
him to brand mares that he had rejected, and again at Multan, the breeders
complained to the Senior Member of the Special Judging Committee that the
Superintendent had refused to brand a number of mares that they had brought
for that purpose. I, however, personally saw all the mares that were rejected,
and was of opinion that the Superintendent erred rather on the side of leni-