60
where I think a pony would be useful. Hazara district, I am glad to be able to record, has done very well with
the one they purchased during the year under report, and that the Imperial horse lent to them to serve un-
branded mares have covered no less than 61 and 62 mares, respectively. This could not be more encouraging.
"The good the District Board pony does cannot be overestimated, as he is, so to speak, the first stepping
stone towards the improvement and keepiug up of stock. His mare progeny is frequently branded, and the
smaller is often put to a Jack the result of which is the production of a well bred mule. Another point in their
favour is, they produce an animal which does not cost the poorer breeder much to feed."
420. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states :—
"The services of pony stallions have been in great request, and I am of opinion that many more ponies
could be profitably employed.
"The one pony belonging to the Mamdot Estate has been certainly overworked and in consequence have
recommended that another pony stallion be obtained."
421. It would be impossible to overestimate the good done by the District
Board stallions. Nearly all the stallions employed are Arabs which nick well
with the pure indigenous mares, as stated by the Superintendent, North-
Western Provinces. They stamp their stock and eradicate many of the faults
of the country-bred mare. District Boards are now willing to pay a fair
price for their ponies, recognizing as they do, that an initial cost of two or
three hundred rupees is not of much importance: this enables me to pay about
R500 in Bombay which ensures good ponies being obtained.
422. I have most carefully watched the produce of these ponies: I find
the fillies being branded as suitable for being covered by Imperial stallions: I
see their produce purchased as remounts by Native Cavalry and, as stated by the
Superintendent, North Punjab, the general improvement in the ponies of the
country will lead to a better class of mule being obtained.
423. Bearing on this point, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states :—
"One hundred and eighteen mares and 78 young stock were collected for my inspection at the different
stands I visited during my tour, and 175 mares and youngsters were seen by me at the various shows and fairs
held during the year in these Provinces.
"Although in some instances they were small, yet taking the mares as a whole, they were good useful
animals suitable to mate with Provincial stallions.
"AS regards the young stock, it is admitted by all who have seen them that a very marked improvement
has taken place. I was especially struck with this at the Bulandshahr Show, Nineteen youngsters, the pro-
geny of Provincial stallions, obtained prizes at the different fairs and shows in these Provinces. I also branded
ten fillies as fit to mate with Imperial stallions."
As an adjunct to Imperial horse-breeding, no measure could possibly have
proved more useful.
424. In the above review I have only alluded to the North-Western Prov-
inces, North and South Punjab, as these Provinces employ 171 District Board
stallions of the 195 on the register.
General Statement
of the Provincial
cost of the
Department.
425. Table Q shows the Provincial cost of the Department during
1899-1900 to have amounted to R2,59,579-13-3, against R3,16,938-11-0 in
the previous year. The decrease is due to the statement of expenditure
incurred in the Madras Presidency not having been received in this Office up to
date of going to Press.