34

    166. The numbers remaining on 31st March 1898 stood, as follows:—

  This is most satisfactory when we take into consideration that mainly owing to
famine 2,186 mares for horse-breeding died or were sold the increase
being 864.

    167.     Two hundred and thirty mares were struck off the Registers as either
being too old or unsound.

    168.     The number branded for horse-breeding was very slightly under
the number branded last year, viz: 2,571 against 2,580. Considering the bad
year through which we have just passed, the results must be considered very
satisfactory.

    169.     Speaking of the number of mares branded, the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, South Punjab, states :—

    Six hundred and seventeen were newly branded against 718 last year, but owing to animals having
been hired by impressment for the late Frontier Expeditions, there were not so many mares brought in to the
Tehsils for me to brand this year. Owners feared that their animals would be pressed for service. At the Pipli
Tehsil, Karnal district, no mares were brought in as a Native Cavalry Regiment was marching through the dis-
trict and was in camp there on the day of my arrival.

    During the past touring season, I have been more particular in the selection of mares for the brand;
this I found was necessary, as in some cases where in the previous year mares of a somewhat inferior standard
(comparatively speaking) had been branded, only mares of a still more inferior standard were brought, the
better ones being kept for sale.

Popularity of the
brand.

    170.     On this subject the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states :—

    The zemindars of these Provinces have no objection to the brand and during my tour this year, I
found that a very large majority of them recognized the advantages which the brand confers.

    At my inspection of Hardoi in Oudh (where an Imperial stallion has been allowed to cover unbranded
mares for the last two or three years in order to give the zemindars confidence) in October last, I had the owners
of the mares collected and explained to them the advantages of the brand. They all subsequently expressed
their willingness to have their mares branded, this will be done at the earliest opportunity, and I am at present
in communication with the Deputy Commissioner on this subject. Mares will also be branded in the district of
Rae Bareilly and an Imperial horse stallion given.

    171.     This, therefore, makes the adoption of the brand universal in the
North-Western Provinces in all districts where Imperial stallions are located ; and
in the whole of India, the only places where it is not in force are:—

Punjab—Certain districts bordering on the Frontier. Here, however, its
absence may be attributed to Political reasons.

Baluchistan—Where a certain number of small stallions are allowed to
cover mares too small to be served by Imperial stallions. These
take the place of Provincial or District Board stallions in the
North-Western Provinces and Punjab.

Central India—Where one stallion is employed at Goona.

    The system of branding may, therefore, be said to be universally adopted in
India.

Certificates gran-
ted by District
Officers to allow
unbranded mares
to be covered.

    172.     This concession was granted a few years ago in order to enable the
owners of good mares to have their mares served until the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, visits the district. On this point the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states :—

    One Certificate was given this year by the District Officer of Bareilly. This mare was inspected by
me at Khulpur during my tour and proved to be quite unlit for covering by an Imperial horse stallion, as
she was only 13 hands and ½ inch in height and was 16 years of age. As stated in my last year's report, I
consider the granting of these Certificates unnecessary and objectionable. All the Fairs and stands are
vi-ited every year by the Superintendent and all mares can be brought for his inspection with a view to
branding. Apparently it is the rejected mares that are brought to the District Officials for Certificates.

    173.     Although I agree with Veterinary-Captain Ringe that now that each
stand is annually visited there is no necessity for these Certificates to be given, still,
as it is generally thought that delegating this power to District Officers increases
the interest which they take in the work, I see no reason why it should be
withdrawn in the North-Western Provinces, considering that during the whole of
the year only one Certificate was given.

    174. On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South
Punjab, states :—