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may be requested to obtain twenty Persian donkey stallions according to the following
standard measurements at the average price of Rs. 200 each:—
Height ... ... ...
Color ... ... ...
Age ... ... ...
Girth ... ... ...
Shank ... ... ...
Back ... ... ...
From 12 hands to 13 hands 1 inch.
Dark, not white.
Not less than 3 and not over 7 years.
Not less than 52 inches.
Not less than 63¾ inches just under the knee.
Straight, not hollow nor roached.
"I do not think it will be judicious to ask the contractor to obtain the full number,
seventy, as he may not have the practical knowledge of the class of donkey sires required; but,
in the event of the twenty proving fit, he may then be requested to obtain the balance fifty.
"The fifteen country-bred donkey stallions I still advise may be secured by purchase in
India, as I believe that number will probably prove available.
"A few years ago Persian donkey stallions were at my suggestion imported during two
or three years by Arab dealers to Bombay. Some good animals were at first thus obtained;
but the last batch or two were so indifferent that only a very few were found suitable, and so
the dealers were disappointed in not being able to sell all to Government, and the importation
ceased. But I will again endeavour during this winter's horse market in Bombay to arrange
with some reliable Arab horse dealers to import Persian donkey stallions from the Persian
Gulf to arrive in Bombay before March next."
11. It has been brought to the notice of the Government of India that
probably useful donkey stallions may be obtained from Socotra and Somali-
land. Endeavours have been made to purchase any country-bred jacks in
Northern India, as many of the produce of Italian and Spanish donkeys already
bought are proving good mule getters. It is satisfactory to note that not in-
frequently the best colts by Government donkeys out of donkey mares likewise
by Government sires are kept by men in the Punjab for mule-breeding pur-
poses. A small fee of Re. 1 to Rs. 2 is paid by mare owners.
Extension of
mule-breeding.
12. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, remarks:
"It is only necessary to create a market for mules in the Deccan, and I feel sure
that in the course of a few years the industry will establish itself and become
popular."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, remarks: "There
is only one part of Lower Bengal in which mule-breeding could be carried on,
viz., the Darjeeling district. Two good donkeys have been indented for—one
for Kalimpong, and the other for Sikkim,—and I feel sure that the people will
readily take advantage of their services when available."
13. Efforts have been made to interest the Madras Government in the sub-
ject with a view to extending operations in that Presidency.
14. The Government in Burma have purchased two Persian donkey stal-
lions for mule-breeding in selected provinces.
No. 21—113, dated 1st June 1893.
15. The desirability of extending mule-breeding throughout suitable
districts in India has been brought to the notice of the Local Governments by
the Government of India, Revenue and Agricultural Department, in a Circular
letter marginally noted, which to facilitate
reference is given as Appendix XV (vide
page 104) to this report.
Donkey mares
covered
by
donkey
stal-
lions.
16. The statement here given indicates the number of donkey mares
covered by donkeys during the last ten years:—
Years.
1883-84 ... ...
1884-85 ... ...
1885-86 ... ...
1886-87 ... ...
1887-88 ... ...
Bengal.
800
893
761
881
658
Bombay.
...
...
29
9
...
Years.
1888-89 ... ...
1889-90 ... ...
1890-91 ... ...
1891-92 ... ...
1892-93 ... ...
Bengal.
672
784
943
1,057
767
Bombay.
...
...
...
...
...
Here again the return cannot be considered trustworthy.
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