23
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
A—MILITARY SECTION.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
Donkey stallions.
Number of—
127. The number of donkey stallions at the commencement of the year
under review, vide Table I. (page iii), was 364. Forty-three were
received by importation, 22 were purchased in India, 3 were received from
the Instruction Farm, and 1 was brought on the Register as an error from last
year. Fifty-one were struck off the Register, leaving a balance of 382
on 31st March 1897.
Casualties and
Sales.
128. Of the total struck off the Register, 16 died, and 26 were destroyed,
vide Table VII (page xxvi). The death-rate amounted to 4.39 per cent.
which is higher than last year. Again, the number destroyed was large,
amounting as it did, to 7.41 per cent. Of the 26 destroyed, the cause in
20 cases was due to the fact that the donkeys were old and worn out and
failed to fill their mares. Elsewhere, I have shown that the Department
is saddled with a very large proportion of old donkeys, and whilst this
continues, the percentage of destructions must remain high. Two donkeys
were sold during the year under review, both for stud purposes, vide Table
VIII (page xxviii).
Number of
Donkey stallions
at stud work.
129. The number of donkey stallions at stud work was as follows:—vide
Table IX (page xxix).
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
North Punjab . . . . . .
South Punjab . . . . . .
Baluchistan . . . . . .
Bombay
.
.
.
.
.
.
75 out of 83 on the Register,
115
„
77
„
5
„
272
25
„
135
99 „
5 „
322
28 „
This is satisfactory, especially when it is taken into consideration that a
large number of unallotted donkeys are shown in the South Punjab.
Average number
of mares covered
per donkey stal-
lion employed.
130. The average number of mares covered per donkey stallion employed,
compared with last year, is as follows:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh.
North Punjab
.
.
.
.
.
.
South Punjab
.
.
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan
.
.
.
.
.
.
Central India
.
.
.
.
.
.
Deccan
.
.
.
.
.
.
Guzerat
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sind and Cutch . . . . . .
1895-96.
Pony mares,
49.68
74.96
74.11
18.80
...
20.80
1900
41.78
Donkey mares.
22.00 74.60
38.50
...
...
...
...
...
1896-97.
Pony mares
49.4
78.95
76.44
20.60
11.00
20.50
19.00
30.93
Donkey mares.
32.0
71.15
37.00
0.6
...
...
...
...
131. The high percentages obtained last year have been fully maintained,
and I cannot but remark that they are too high; for to reach this average, it
is necessary that some donkeys should cover over 100 mares. Considering
the age of some donkeys on the Registers, I shall be glad when I see my way
to either obtain more young donkeys or to reduce the number covered per
stallion; at present, this is impossible.
132. In our three large mule-breeding centres, the following mares have
been covered during the past two years:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
North Punjab
.
.
.
.
South Punjab
.
.
.
.
1895-96.
Pony mares,
3,776
8,471
5,262
17,509
Donkey mares,
66
746
154
966
1896-97.
Pony mares
3,553
8,053
5,504
17,110
Donkey mares.
96
925
185
1,206
This shows that, whilst there was a falling off of 399 pony mares covered,
there was an increase of 240 more donkey mares served. This is most satisfac-
tory, considering the scarcity which prevailed.
Demand for
donkey stallions.
133. On this point, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
Baluchistan, states:—
"Until I am more satisfied with the coverings of these stallions, I do not propose to indent for any addi-
tional donkey stallions."