214

    824.  Two thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine mares were branded
during the year, against 3,746 last year. This falling off is to be regretted, but
was unavoidable.

    825.  I point with intense satisfaction to the progress made in Native
States in both horse and mule-breeding; many States are co-operating most
heartily in the development of both industries, and the fact that 1,586 mares
have been covered by horses and 719 covered by donkeys must prove that the
horse and mule supply will be materially increased thereby.

Mule-breeding—
Imperial.

    826. Two hundred and seventy-eight (278) donkey stallions were at stud
work, against 289 last year.

    827 Seventeen thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven pony mares were
covered, against 18,491 last year. This small decrease of 514 is partly compen-
sated for by the increase of 243 donkey mares covered.

    828.  The general percentage of mares covered was 64.57, against 50.6.
This percentage I consider too high.

    829.  Four thousand and eighty-five mule foals are known to have been
dropped, against 3,734. The increase is satisfactory, but the average results
of previous year's coverings per stallion employed is still unsatisfactory, stand-
ing, as it does, at 14.13, against 14. 4, last year.

    830.  Two thousand one hundred and thirty-one mules were purchased,
against 1,746; the increase is satisfactory.

Horse Pairs and
Shows,

    831.  As was to be expected, the various horse fairs and shows have
suffered materially owing to the scarcity which prevailed: a number had to
be entirely abandoned; still, although we find that over 12,000 less animals
were present, still the reduction in the number that competed amounted only
to 487. This shows that all animals that were considered of value and likely
to take prizes, were sent to the various shows.

    832.  One thousand one hundred and forty-eight remounts and young
stock were purchased, against 1,879 last year. A large proportion of the
reduction is due to the fact that the Army Remount Department required
less stock.

Laboratory.

    833.  But little work has been done at the Laboratory during the year
under review. This was partly due to the fact that the building is not yet
complete, and also to Dr. Lingard having been absent in England for four

months.

    834.  I regret that even the work that has been done cannot be shown,
as Dr. Lingard states that, owing to rinderpest demonstrations, which were
commenced by Professor Koch, he is unable to devote any time to the prepara-
tion of a report at present.

Farms.

    835. Strenuous efforts have been made by both Superintendents to ensure
success, but they have had much to contend with, owing to the drought. It
is therefore satisfactory to find that the profit on the South Punjab Farm
amounts to R307-2-5 more than last year, although the North-Western Prov-
inces Farm shows a decrease of R74-2-4.

Castration.

    836. Castration has scarcely held its own during the year, as will be seen
from the following statement :—