19

The increase in the number of mares covered by Government stallions in
the provinces comprised in Bengal, amounting as it does to 1,100, is most
satisfactory. The increase in Baluchistan, amounting to 675, is also worthy
of note. Bombay has made no progress, in fact Deccan and Guzerat in this
Presidency show a decrease of 65, and it is to be regretted that Sindh, the best
horse breeding portion of the Presidency, shows a decrease of 112 cover-
ings.

Sale of barren
branded mares.

46. It having been brought to notice that difficulty was experienced by the
owners in selling barren branded mares to purchasing officers, and that this
fact rendered the brand unpopular, it was decided, with the sanction of the
Government of India, to alter the rule which stood as follows :—

" Branded mares covered by Government stallions for three years without giving produce
may, at the request of the owners, be struck off the registers as barren,"

To the following substitute for:—

" Three years," "two consecutive years."

1 would have been glad had I been able to alter the rule that purchasing
officers should be empowered to purchase mares said to be barren on the
owners producing certificates of covering for 2 years, but in the face of the
fact that occasionally branded mares are bought by Remount Officers, even
though they are not reported to be barren, I could not extend the license, but
all Superintendents, Civil Veterinary Department, have been requested to afford
every facility to breeders to obtain the necessary certificate.

Number of
produce foaled,
showing aver-
ages to mares
covered and
stallions em-
ployed.

47. The results, as noted in Table IV (page VII), must be looked upon as
most unsatisfactory. The following abstract is given to facilitate reference :—

48. The working shown in North-Western Provinces is distinctly bad, as of
2,819 mares covered, results are only shown in 971 cases. The results of
1,848 mares covered are omitted. The attention of the Superintendent will
be specially directed to this point. Hereafter, I shall point out, when remark-
ing on the unreliability of statistics, the difficulties with which this officer has
had to contend. It is to be hoped that the steps he has taken will remedy the
defect.

The North Punjab shows the best working in this respect. 34.51
per cent. of the mares covered are shown as having held and 18.11 per stallion
employed against 14.24 last year.