111
India Horse, has asked for the services of a donkey stallion with a view of
covering the cast mares of the regiment, and has expressed a hope that he will
be able to induce some of the ryots to avail themselves of the donkey's services.
One has been sent, and I trust that the experiment will prove successful.
585. The Officer Commading, 1st Regiment, Central India Horse, at Agar,
has also expressed his willingness to try the experiment of mule-breeding, and
a donkey will be sent there in October next.
KURRUM.
Horse and mule
breeding beyond
the Border.
586. The donkey which has been employed in the Kurrum Valley was
returned to this Department during the year. The experiment has not proved
a success; still I feel assured that in time the people would be induced to avail
themselves of his services. However, owing to the great demand for donkey
stallions, and further, owing to the fact that no Persian donkeys were obtain-
able this year, it has been found impossible to detail one for service in Kurrum;
as soon, however, as we are able to work up to a full sanctioned strength, I shall
send one.
TOOHI VALLEY.
587. As stated in last year's report, a proposal was under consideration
to place a horse and a donkey in the Tochi Valley. I expressed my ability to
furnish a good Arab, but regretted that, owing to the demand for Jacks, I was
unable to spare one. It was understood that all charges connected with
transit, feed and keep, etc., would be met from the Political Budget for the
administration of the Tochi Valley; but as this was not done, the suggestion of
locating stallions there has fallen through.
Cleansing of
horse boxes and
railway trucks.
588. The discussion on this subject, commenced last year, has been con-
tinued. The points at variance have been accepted with the exception of the
East Indian Railway, which objects to disinfect all parts with which the head
or any discharge from the mouth or nostrils of the animal has come in contact,
considering it necessary only to disinfect the floor.
589. With reference to this, I naturally pointed out that the very parts
that would be affected with the virus of glanders would not be disinfected.
As glanders is the disease of all others against which we have to protect
horses in this country, I trust that this Railway will see the necessity of
adopting this rule.
590. The Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway propose only to
disinfect their boxes when it is discovered that an animal is suffering from a
contagious disease, relying, as they do, on a rule which exists in their Code,
not to accept any animal for despatch suffering from a contagious disease.
This is all very well if we could ensure proper inspection before loading, but
as horses and cattle are generally loaded by natives, who never look at the
animals, or who, if they did, would be utterly unable to diagnose disease of
any kind, it would mean that the boxes would never be disinfected.
591. Both these Railways take no precaution with reference to scrapings
and sweepings from railway trucks. (Bombay, Baroda and Central India
Railway would do so if contagious disease was discovered.)
592. The Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway have no rule
referring to the cleansing of boxes through trap doors whilst horses are in
transit ; considering the length of time that animals are in the train in this
country, I trust that they will see the advisability of adopting this rule.
593. It will be seen that the points at variance have narrowed them-
selves considerably, and I trust that these few will be accepted by the two
railways concerned, in order that we may have one uniform system for the
whole of India; and when this is effected, the question that will then have
to be settled is that of supervision, to ensure the rules being carried out.
Rules for guid-
ance of Zilla-
dars and Salu-
tris.
594. It has long been felt that a short code for the guidance of the
Zilladars and Salutris of this Department was required, especially as these
subordinates frequently pleaded ignorance as to their duties. A code of this
description has been drawn up during the year by Veterinary Captain Joslen,
and has been circulated to all Superintendents for consideration. It has been
made as complete as possible, and contains all the forms that are required to