(7)
(2) EQUINE (UNDER LOCAL BODIES).
(i) Horse and pony stallions.
See table X.
40. At the commencement of the year there were 59 horse and pony
stallions at stud belonging to this department.
41. Eight stallions were purchased during the year. One was castrated
and sold as it was considered unfit for further stud work, and two died—one from
enteritis and the other from tetanus. One had to be destroyed, thus leaving a
balance of 63 on the list at the end of the year.
See table XI.
42. Fifty-two sires were at stud work during the year, and the number of
mares covered by them amounts to 2,946, which is a very satisfactory number
despite the fact that on account of the demand for horses as the result of the
war, and increase in the mounted police, many mares have been disposed of in
certain districts.
Three new stands have been opened at Pilibhit, Banda and Bahraich.
43. Regarding young stock, the progeny of these provincial stallions, there
is a continued improvement and promise shown by them in many parts,
particularly in the districts of Saharanpur, Moradabad and Budaun. Some
excellent colts and fillies have been seen at the districts of Saharanpur, Moradabad,
Budaun and Shahjahanpur the progeny of "Copenhagen", "Atlas," "Aziz,"
"Oberon," "Akbar," "Grandmaster," "Sirdar" and "Bantum II," Arab stallions.
44. As I mentioned last year, the functions of this department, in so far as
horse-breeding is concerned, are confined to the improvement of the indigenous
horse and pony from a point of general utility, in those tracts other than the four
selected districts of Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr and Meerut. The past
few years have witnessed a very considerable improvement in the quality of the
animals bred in these unselected districts which fully justifies the comparatively
small expenditure in this direction.
On account of the enormous demand for equine stock as the result of the
present war it is probable that there will be some scarcity in the near future, and
it is obvious that young stock will fetch greatly enhanced prices. All districts,
local bodies, court of wards, &c., should therefore, as far as possible, endeavour to
provide for the location of stallions within their area and give encouragement to
horse-breeding generally.
(ii)-Donhey stallions.
See tables X
and XI.
45. At the beginning of the year there were 20 provincial donkeys on the
register and two were since purchased from the Hissar cattle farm. Two have
died, leaving a balance of 20 as last year. Of these 16 were at stud and the
number of mares covered by them amounted to 786, which shows an increase of 77
on last year's figures. There appears to be still an increasing demand for the
services of donkey stallions for mule-breeding, but as was mentioned last year, the
limited number available renders it difficult to meet the demand. Two Hissar
bred jacks, however, have been purchased this year and four American donkey
stallions are expected shortly.
Some very necessary improvements have been carried out at the stallion
dépôt at Moradabad.
Sheep-breeding.
46. The results of sheep-breeding experiments recently undertaken by this
department with a view to ascertain how far it is possible to improve the quality
and quantity of the wool of the indigenous sheep have up to the present proved
very encouraging and satisfactory. The introduction of the merino strain has
been found to have a very beneficial effect on both the quality and the quantity
of the fleeces.
A preliminary note on the subject giving the details and the results of these
experiments has been separately submitted. If a practical scheme can be evolved
it is proposed to establish a sheep-breeding demonstration farm, where the public
and those interested can see for themselves the results of intelligent and careful
breeding and selection, as well as improved sheep management. The advantages
of such methods as regular sheep dipping to prevent the ravages of various
parasites are most important. This year an endeavour will be made to secure the