26

149.  In a subsequent letter, Mr. Sutherland says:—

"I may say that I have had much more difficulty than I anticipated in finding in Catalonia, Jacks suitable
for Indian requirements, in consequence of an unusual demand having been received during the last four months,
for Puenos Ayres for similar Jacks for mule-breeding purposes."

150.  I am pleased to be able to report that the nine Catalans received
this year are quite equal to the Italians, and, as stated by Mr. Sutherland,
they have more size and substance. I shall therefore be prepared to recom-
mend that more donkeys of this class be imported on future occasions.

151.  In connection with Spanish mules, I might mention that Leon and
Castilla have very fine donkeys, and I am informed that good donkeys might
be obtained at Fairs held at Ronda, Seville, Cordaba, and other places. I men-
tion this as, with the competition met with on the Continent, as is shown by
the extract from Mr. Sutherland's letter above given, we must not leave a
stone unturned to compete favourably with other mule-breeding countries.

152.  With reference to the Italians, generally speaking, they were a very
good lot and show an improvement on last year. On the question of Italians
Mr. Sutherland says:—

"I may add that as I have caused the ground to be more carefully prepared than usual, I have not
experienced as much difficulty as I anticipated in finding suitable animals, but I feel bound again to call
attention to the fact that within the last few years, the number of really good animals has very seriously
diminished in Italy, owing to the large demands that have been made by India and other countries, and also
to the fact that it is always the largest and best animals that are selected for mule-breeding purposes, and
that consequently it is only the small and perhaps unsound Jacks that remain in the country to perpetu-
ate their species."

153.  By the above it will be seen that we may expect the Italian donkey
to deteriorate rather than to improve, and therefore it behoves us to look for
fresh markets in France and Spain.

154.  I last year drew attention to the falling off in the Italian donkeys.
The measurements for that year and for this year are given below, by which
it will be seen that an improvement has taken place:—

155. Two Jacks I would specially mention as having been bought by
Mr. Sutherland were:—

This is the class we require, but I can readily understand that many of
this stamp are not obtainable.

156. It only remains for me to mention the Cyprians imported this year.
They were a good level lot. The average measurements of the 13 imported,
were:—

By comparison of these heights with those given for country-breds and Arabs,
it will be seen that these are quite equal to the Transport mule-producing
Jacks, and I am of opinion that we must do all we can to extend the supply
from Cyprus. They are a cheap donkey, and therefore not only do they meet
our requirements, but they are urgently required to meet demands from
Native States who are entering into mule-breeding. I have already shown
that three were obtained for the Bhurtpur State and Ulwar has now asked to be
supplied with five. I feel it would be to the interests of the Government of
India to depute an officer to visit Cyprus to ascertain to what extent the supply
can be increased and especially to demonstrate to the Authorities who pur-
chase for us in that Island, the faults which should be avoided. I feel con-
vinced that a conference with the Authorities to practically demonstrate
what our requirements are, would be of great value.

157. Let us for a moment review our position as to donkey stallions,
and I fear it cannot be looked upon as anything but gloomy. Our sanctioned
strength for 1896-97 was 350, and the Government of India has sanctioned
an increase of 25, making our total strength 375. Including all unacclama-
tized donkeys, we had on 31st March only 334 and, as already shown 94 of