65

399. Umballa being a district in which the indigenous stock was worse
than in nine-tenths of the districts of the Punjab, and this Department having
a large percentage of Hackney stallions which had to be utilized, stallions of
this breed have been mainly supplied to this district. Steps will, however, be
immediately taken to replace this class of sire by either Thoroughbreds or
Arabs.

Conclusion.
Punjab Shows.

400. In concluding his review on the Fairs and Shows held in his Circle,
the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, makes the
following remarks:—

(1).—The two district gatherings usually held at Loodhiana and Dinanagar were abandoned this year
on account of the plague.

(2).—The price of horse stock at all Fairs and Shows has been very high; in many cases horses have been
beyond the reach of Native Cavalry prices.

(3).—It is satisfactory to notice that though the total number of animals attending the Horse Shows has
considerably decreased, there has been no falling off in the number of brood mares kept.

(4).—This year, fewer purchasing Officers have attended the Shows and Fairs than for merly.

(5).—The impressment of animals for the late Frontier Expeditions has been a great check to horse-breeding,
owners of mares have been afraid to bring them for branding and fewer branded mares have been
brought to tehsils to be covered than would otherwise have been the case.

(6).—It has been very noticeable what a difference it makes whether Civil Authorities take much or little
interest in horse-breeding. In districts where horse-breeding is considered an unimportant
industry by Civil Authorities, the number of horse stock kept by the people rapidly diminishes
and the majority of such as are kept are underfed and not cared for.

Silver Medals
awarded for the
best collection of
brood mares and
young stock-
Punjab Shows.

401.     The competition at the majority of Horse Shows was decidedly good,
although I doubt whether it produced as many groups as entered the judging
ring in the North-Western Provinces. I am glad to see the keenness of the
breeders in this matter, for although of small intrinsic value, still he prizes it
greatly, more than a money award. If this spirit of emulation is continued,
it may be the means of inducing the zemindars to keep their stock more than
they do at present.

402.     The groups which were awarded the Medal at the largest Shows,
consisted of the following brood mares and stock:—

     Dera Ghazi Khan.—Produced 8 competitors, the excellence of which
     caused some difficulty in awarding the two medals given to this Show.

     Gujrat.—Four branded mares, 4 fillies 2 years of age, 2 yearling fillies,
     2 colts (geldings), 2 pony mares for mule-breeding. This was as
     good a representative collection as could be desired.

     Jellalabad.—Three branded mares, 1 filly, 4 colts. A really good repre-
     sentative collection, no less than 9 groups competed.

     Jhang.—Three branded mares, 2 colts, 1 pony mare for mule-breeding, 1
     mule. Seven competitors entered the ring.

     Lahore.—Three branded mares, 3 head of young stock.

     Multan.—Six branded mares, 1 colt, 1 filly.

     Umballa.—Four branded mares, 4 foals. At this Show there was great
     competition.

403. No medals were awarded at Delhi, Kurnal, or Jhelum. This is to be
regretted, as it goes to prove that there cannot be much interest evinced, still, in
the case of Kurnal and Delhi, the cause may be attributed to the fact that these
Shows have not been held since the medal was first awarded.

Special
Judging Com-
mittee, Punjab.

404. The Special Judging Committee was composed as follows:—

405. The thanks of this Department are due to the Military members who
formed this Committee. The Deputy Commissioners of the various districts
joined the Committee, but, as a rule, they took no active part in the judging
preferring to leave it to the Officers appointed for this purpose.