18
Number of mares
covered by donkey
stallions.
122. Table VII will show that 19,444 pony mares were covered by donkey
stallions against 18,151 in 1898-99. The increase is very satisfactory.
123. The increase in Sind is encouraging, as we find that 1,055 were covered
against 791 last year. This Province is likely to develop into a good breeding
centre.
124. One thousand four hundred and eighty-nine donkey mares were
covered against 1,379 last year.
Average
coverings per
stallion employed.
125. The average number of pony mares covered per stallion employed was
60.64 against 63.31 last year, and of donkey mares 57.26 against 53.03.
126. The average is quite high enough and is excessive in North Punjab
where it is 72.58.
Demand for donkey
stallions.
127. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
"There is an increasing demand for donkey stallions in these Provinces, a further addition of 15 donkey
stallions could be well utilized. During the past year, 13 donkeys have been cast for various causes and 2 have
died, in addition to these there are at present 13 donkey stallions over 16 years of age. To meet these
deficiencies only 11 donkeys have been allotted to the North-Western Provinces: this number is not sufficient
to meet requirements."
128. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states:—
"The proof of the demand is shown by the number of coverings (69.69 mares per stallion employed).
I have no doubt that if there is sufficient fodder during the ensuing year, I shall have still a further demand
for more."
129. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states:—
"The demand for donkeys continues to increase as the prejudice against mule-breeding is being gra-
dually broken down and the demand for mules at remunerative prices is brought so prominently to the notice
of breeders at the Fairs."
130. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan and
Sind, states that mule-breeding is slowly but surely extending in Baluchistan, and
that in Sind a good demand for donkey stallions exists and that it will further
increase. This is shown by the fact that notwithstanding the great scarcity
which has existed in that Province, 264 more mares were covered this year.
131. A consideration of the above facts will show that the demand for Jacks
must remain constant. I have entered fully into the subject when dealing
with the question of supply and I might now say that this Department is
somewhat better off now than it has been for some years, inasmuch as there
are only 61 donkey stallions over 15 years of age whereas in 1895-96, the
year after I assumed charge, there were 69 over 16 years old.
132. We have also been able to supply 47 donkeys to Lambardars out of the
75 sanctioned by the Government of India.
133. If therefore the extra 50 Jacks for which provision has been made in
this year's Budget Estimate, are obtained, the Department will be in a fair way as
far as stallions are concerned.
134. Our sanctioned strength is 400 and to this number must be added 75
in charge of Lambardars, making a total of 475. If we calculate casualties,
including deaths, destructions for old age and incurable disease, sales—mainly
on account of Jacks not covering properly—and further, if we allow for slight
extension of mule-breeding, we may estimate that after putting our Register
on a sound basis, we shall require between 50 and 60 donkey stallions annu-
ally.
135. This, however, only represents our requirements for mule-breeding, but
if it is decided to undertake the improvement of the indigenous breed of
donkeys—a matter which is of great importance from a Transport point of view
—a large number of extra Jacks will be required.
136. It must also be borne in mind that we have to provide all Jacks on
payment, to Native States, and already 6 are required for the current year.
It will therefore be seen that every effort should be made to increase our
sources of supply.
Produce.
137. Three thousand seven hundred and sixty-six (3,766) mule foals are
shown as having been dropped against 3,382 last year, whilst 304 donkey foals
were produced against 179 in 1898-99.