212

1136.     The number of foalings per stallion employed rose from 13.57 to
12.78 last year; both these points are satisfactory.

1137.     One thousand nine-hundred and fifty-nine (1,959) Country-bred
remounts were purchased against 1,906 last year. This is very satisfactory,
especially as so few Officers were able to attend the Fairs.

1138.     One of the most encouraging improvements is in the number of
remounts purchased with known pedigrees. This means that fewer were pur-
chased from dealers, and this must also prove that better horses were purchased.
The Army Remount Department obtained 82.27 per cent. of pedigreed horses
against 54.37 last year. The Native Cavalry obtained 31.74 against 17.99.

1139.     The cost of feed and keep has, I regret to say, increased. This was
only to be expected, and I would record my opinion that had it not been for the
great care evinced by the Superintendents, the increase would have been greater.

1140. The number of branded mares increased by 864. Three thousand
five hundred and seventy-two (3,572) are shown as having been branded against
2,869 last year, but this is apt to be misleading as over 700 were branded for mule-
breeding in Bombay. This system has been abolished in Northern India as
unnecessary. It is therefore better to show that 2,571 were branded for horse-
breeding against 2,580 last year. That this should have been accomplished must
testify to the zeal shown by the Superintendents concerned, when all the difficulties
they encountered are taken into consideration.

Mule-breeding—
Imperial.

1141.     Two hundred and ninety-one (291) donkeys were at stud work against
278 last year.

1142.     Seventeen thousand one hundred and fifty-nine (17,159) pony mares
were covered against 17,977. This small reduction was due to the number of
mares purchased for Frontier Expeditions; 58.84 mares were covered per stallion
employed against 64.57 last year. This latter number I stated as excessive con-
sidering the large number of old donkeys on the registers.

1143.     Three thousand six hundred and thirty-seven (3,637) foals were
dropped against 4,085 last year. This is more apparent than real, as it was impos-
sible to trace a large number of the mares owing to their having been removed
from the districts.

1144.     The percentage of produce to stallions employed fell from 14.13 to
13.06. This is due to the abovementioned cause.

1145.     Over 15,000 mules were purchased; this very large number was due
to the Frontier Expeditions.

Horse Fairs and
Shows.

1146.     A slight falling off in the total number of animals present is noticeable,
viz: 46,406 against 47,968 last year. This is, however, due to the falling off at the
Batesar Fair, but the number of animals which competed for prizes rose from 9,873
to 11,385. As this may be said to be the true test of quality, the increase is satis-
factory.

1147.     One thousand one hundred and seventy-three (1,173) remounts were
purchased against 1,148 last year.

Laboratory.

1148. I regret to report again that little or nothing has been done during
the year, but I trust that if the Experimental Station in the plains, which is now
under the consideration of the Government of India, is sanctioned, work will be
commenced in earnest.

Farms.

1149. The profits on the North-Western Provinces Farm fell from
Rs. 1,792-10-0 to Rs. 1,440-8-7, and those of the Punjab from Rs. 1,118-3-0 to
Rs. 1,008-0-9. The total reduction, amounting as it does to only Rs. 462-3-8, is
trifling, but I feel convinced that on reading the review of the work done, the
Government of India will agree that both have been worked satisfactorily.