15

This view of the case of course is quite opposed to the idea that District
Board stallions are maintained with the object of assisting imperial horse-
breeding.

Twelve horses in Umballa district were transferred to the head of pony
stallions.

Number present at close
of year.

4. Thirty-three horses and 23 ponies were present at
the close of the year, and they were distributed as follows:—

Number at stud work.

5. Out of 56 horse and pony stallions present, 51 were
at stud work; of these 31 were horses and 20 were ponies,
vide Table D.

Number of mares cover-
ed.

6. Two thousand and thirty-nine mares were covered by the whole of the
stallions against 1,514 last year, showing an increase of 525
mares; of these 1,209 mares were covered by 31 horse
stallions and 830 by 20 pony stallions. The average number of mares covered
per horse stallion was 39 and per pony stallion 41.50, the general average being
39.96 against 29.70 last year, an increase of 10 mares per stallion. These figures
are, I consider, highly satisfactory, remembering the short time that some animals
have been located in the districts.

7. No doubt in some districts more stallions such as are usually pur-
chased by District Boards could find work to do, but the
financial difficulties have to be considered in acquiring
these animals.

Demand for stallions.

In Jullundur and Montgomery there are no stallions of this class; I con-
sider two are required in each district, and until something is done in this
direction I feel sure that horse-breeding will remain at a standstill in these two
very backward districts.

Ferozepore district has two stallions of its own, but as I mentioned last
year there ought to be one in each tahsíl which would make five altogether. It
is to be hoped this will be carried out; in this way every encouragement will be
given to the deserving zamíndárs of this district who take such interest in
matter of horse-breeding.

I am glad to be able to report that the District Board, Ludhiána, has
lately purchased an Arab stallion from this Department, and, as far as I am able
to judge, there is every likelihood of his services being utilized. In course of
another year or so, it is to be hoped that another horse will be supplied for this
district, which shows sigus of improvement.

In Gurgáon, where there are two stallions belonging to the District Board,
there is, I consider, room for another which should be located in thy Gurgáou
tahsíl at head-quarters. When on inspection duty at this place in January
last, many of the zamíndárs with unbranded mares remarked that they wished
there was a horse at that place, as the other two district stallions were such a
long way off. The Deputy Commissioner, I believe, considers that if an addi-
tional sire were purchased that he would prove of great service, but so far want of
finances has barred the way.