7
Exercise.—When idle they should have at least an hour's exercise morning
and evening. Sending them out a good distance for forage is a good plan.
Shelter.—Where there is not good natural shelter, sheds should be erected
on a well-drained and sheltered spot. The floor ought to have a fair slope ; posts
for picketing must be put down, if procurable ; there is nothing equal to a fine
grove of trees, provided it be well drained: Exposure to rain does not act
prejudicially, but exposure in unsheltered places to cold night-winds has a bad
effect on them; this is especially the case if the days are hot. On no pretence
should a beast be tethered in the sun; it is positive cruelty.
Work.—With proper care, an elephant can work comfortably for six or
seven hours daily, and in the charge of a good attendant can do many long
marches without knocking himself up. There is a very great tendency to
overload these creatures, some people being under the impression that an ele-
phant can carry anything and everything, and are not satisfied until they see a
beast get up looking like a Christmas Tree, with pots, buckets, kerosine oil
tins (all well packed with odds and ends), lamps, etc., suspended from every
part of his back.
It is altogether overlooked that before a pound of baggage is put on his
back, his commissariat gear—consisting of guddee, gudelah, chains, and a
mahawut (at least nine stone) with his pots and pans—weighs between 400 and
420 lbs., and only the closest supervision will prevent overloading. Subordinates
should be cautioned that if any animal be found carrying an excessive load,
they will be severely punished. As a rule, mahawuts are not to blame; they
will complain fast enough if they know an officer takes an interest in their
animals.
Being nocturnal animals, they are far more active and can perform much
more work in the early morning, evening, and night, than at other times. Even
with shade during the day they are unhappy, and under ordinary circumstances
should not work between 11 A.M. and 4 P.M. This is of course not always possible,
as, during a campaign, urgent reasons arise which necessitate animals doing
heavy work at any hour ; but when this has to be done, it is advisable that the
loads be light, and that short but frequent rests be allowed : this is also essential
when working in hilly country. Too frequent night-marching and continued
long marches tell heavily on their constitutions: fatigue may come on so imper-
ceptibly that it passes unnoticed until too late, when some animal drops under
his load from exhaustion. As previously stated, these animals require very
little sleep, so it is imperative that every opportunity be afforded them to obtain
it, especially before and after work. They invariably sleep between midnight
and 3 A.M. In this country, Burma elephants are mostly employed in the jungle,
where there is always deep shade, and in streams. Though the work is hard
they get frequent rests, and can every now and then get a mouthful of grass, etc.
It is not nearly as trying or wearisome as tramping over all kinds of ground with
a heavy load on a hot day. Marches should never exceed thirty miles. It must
not be forgotten that in most cases, when relieved of their loads, they have to go
out and carry in their fodder.
Attendants.—Burman keepers (Hsen-tha-ma) are, I fear, quite unsuitable
for work with transport. Good men may be found, but they are few, and, though
kind to their animals, they are idle and apathetic, do not understand our system
of loading, and I imagine would be too lazy to learn. Moreover, there is a
very wide gulf between their views and ours on the subject of discipline, and
the discomforts attending active service would not be appreciated by them. A
Burman is truly happy when he has plenty of food, ample amusement to fill up
the odd hours he may be awake, sufficient money to buy silks to wear, and to
permit of his having an occasional gamble. As for work, the less he has, the
happier he is. Fortunately for him, Providence has given him a fertile land to live
in, in which by three months' ordinary labour he can provide food for the year.
Timber merchants employ Burmans in the jungles, as they understand the work,
and can stand the climate ; and Indian mahawuts in the yards. Karens and
Shans are more industrious than the Burmese, and might possibly do.