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Section I (Military)—Appendix XV.
(Referred to in paragraph 15, page 21.)
MULE-BREEDING.
No. 21/113, dated Simla, the 1st June 1893.
From—SIR E. C. BUCK, KT., C.S.I., Secretary to the Government of India, Revenue
and Agricultural Department,
To—All Local Governments and Administrations.
In my Circular No. 18-54, dated 25th May 1892, the Government of
India invited the co-operation of civil authorities in the promotion of horse-
breeding in those parts of India in which favourable conditions exist, and in
Circular No. 26-26, dated 14th July 1892, permission was granted to Local
Governments to make loans to local bodies and landowners desirous of purchas-
ing and maintaining stallions. I am now directed to address you in the interests
of the Military Department on the cognate subject of extending the breeding
of mules, and to express the desire of His Excellency the Governor-General in
Council that the subject may receive early and careful attention.
2. A considerable advance has been made in recent years in mule-breeding,
and the industry is fairly established in districts where it was formerly unknown
or little practised. The supply of mules is, however, still far short of the demand,
as may be gathered from the high prices asked for the better class of mules,
and the fact that large numbers have to be imported from abroad for army pur-
poses. Both in the interests of the public and the State it is of great importance
that the indigenous supply of these useful animals should be improved and
increased, and that an industry, at once easy and profitable, should be fostered
among the agricultural population.
3. For the promotion of mule-breeding the Imperial Government already
maintain 300 donkey sires in the provinces comprised in the Bengal Presidency,
and have recently decided to increase the number by 100. They have also
resolved to increase the grant for prizes for mules exhibited at fairs. These
measures will, it is hoped, result in securing a larger production of Indian-bred
mules suitable for the army. But for the effective development of the industry,
it is essential that they should be liberally supplemented by local and private
efforts. The replies to Circular No. 45 of the 22nd August 1887 indicated gen-
erally that such aid would not be wanting when the professional supervision
and advice necessary for the successful prosecution of breeding was available.
This is being gradually provided in every province, and the Government of India
request that local Governments will now consider what positive measures may
be taken to promote mule-breeding within their respective jurisdictions.
4. I am to suggest that the Superintendent of the provincial Civil Veterinary
Department should, in the first instance, be required to prepare, in consultation
with the district authorities, and under the direction of the Agricultural De-
partment, a report showing the districts or tracts in the province suitable for
the breeding of mules; the number of donkey stallions already available, or which
can be made available by the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department,
from the Imperial list; the increase, if any, recommended, and the cost of
purchasing and maintaining the number of stallions required to make up the
strength proposed. When the number of donkey stallions which can be usefully
placed in addition to those provided from Imperial funds has been ascertained,
it may be considered how far they can be provided from provincial resources
with the co-operation of local boards, municipalities, court of ward estates,
or large landholders. It will probably be found a convenient and economical
course to frame an annual indent of all the stallions throughout the province
for which funds from whatever source are available, and to arrange through
the Inspector General, Civil Veterinary Department, for their purchase at the
same time and through the same agency as the stallions obtained annually by
the Government of India.