23

"The following is a detail of the animals sent to the fair this year, and those regis-
tered as sold:—

In the fair.

Sold.

(a) Horses and colts

...

...

...

...

350

299

(b) Mares and fillies

...

...

...

...

322

2 7

Total

672

516

"Thus it will be seen that, as compared with the figures of 1890 (in 1891 there was
no regular fair), there was a decrease of 454 in the number of horses brought to the
fair, and an increase of 36 in the number recorded as sold.

"The large falling off this year as compared with former years in the number of
horses produced at the fair is attributable to two main causes—

      1st.—That the partial famine and great scarcity of grass that prevailed in many
                parts of Rajputana last year doubtless disabled many owners from supporting
                their stock until the time of the fair came round.

      2nd.—That the immediate period of and the few months preceding the fair were
                marked in Rajputana by an unusually severe epidemic of fever, so that even
                persons who had stock were in many cases incapacitated from attending the
                fair.

"The Jeypore Fair, held as it is immediately before and at a comparatively short
distance from Pokhur, must also be taken into consideration as affecting the attendance.
The most noteworthy fact, however, under this heading is the unusually high propor-
tion of animals sold to those exhibited, thus showing how keen the demand is, and
offering strong grounds for the presumption that in an average good year dealers and
breeders will find the fair as favorable a market as it ever was for the disposal of their
stock.

"The horse which fetched the highest price, Rs. 930, during the fair was purchased
by one Wazir Singh for Maharaja Kishen Pertab Sahoy, Raja of Hutwah, Zillah Chapra,
pergunnah Saran, in Behar (Bengal).

"No classification according to age or sex was attempted this year, and the owners
were allowed to arrange their horses as they pleased.

"Of the total number of horses and mares, only 75 and 26 respectively were reported
to be fit for military purposes. Very few of these, however, were considered suitable
for Native Cavalry, as evidenced by the small number of remounts purchased, and by
the fact that none of the officers buying were able to get as many horses as they
required. The Gwalior and Indore Imperial Service Cavalry bought several horses, but
they all appeared to be more or less undersized. It seems a pity that horses of a grey
color are so generally rejected by Native Cavalry. The colour is very common, and
many otherwise valuable remounts are thus lost.

"The following statement shows the number of animals exhibited, the number marked
and judged, and the number and amount of prizes awarded:—

Exhibited for
prizes.

Marked and
judged.

Number to
whom prizes
were awarded.

Money paid.

Total.

Class IGeldings—

Rs.

4 years old ... ...

1

1

1

5

3 years old

...

...

...

...

2 years old

...

...

...

...

1 year old ... ...

...

...

...

...

5

Class IIRemounts—

Over 3 years of age ...

7

7

6

47

Under 3 years of age ... ...

1

1

1

12

59

Class III—Mules—

Mules of any age ...

2

2

2

15

...

Pony mares kept for mule-breeding

...

...

15

TOTAL

11

11

10

79

79