7

Number of mares covered.

21. The number of pony mares covered during
the last three years is given below :—

There is an increase of 109 over last year.

Demand for donkey stal-
lions.

22.    Arrangements have been made by me to procure more Khorásan
donkeys, as they are popular in Sind, much cheaper
than Italians, and, judging from returns, appear to be
surer foal-getters. I have also made arrangements to
import a few Khorásan donkey mares, which the Zamindárs in Sind have pro-
mised to keep with a view of breeding donkey stallions suitable for this Depart-
ment. Although there is an increase in the number of mares covered in the
Deccan and Gujarát, the industry is not likely to become popular, and I regret
that I have come to the conclusion that the efforts made by this Department
to establish it are not likely to meet with success or have any lasting effects.
I propose continuing the present arrangement for another year, but have grave
doubts as to the result.

          (2).—Number of Mules purchased by Government.

23.     Table X will show that 27 mules were purchased by the Commis-
sariat Department during the year under report for transport purposes against
51 last year. Besides this, Captain Willis purchased 13 mules for regimental
transport.

                              (b)—REVENUE SECTION.

                                I.—HORSE-BREEDING.

                (1).— Government Horse and Pony Stallions.

Cost of feed and keep.

24. Table XI gives the cost of feed, keep, attendance, transit, &c, of
Government horse and pony stallions during 1895-96
and the table below shows the average annual cost
per stallion during the last three years :—

25.     There is an increase of Rs. 11-0-5 or 3.08 per cent. in the average
annual cost per stallion over last year. The real increase under this head, how-
ever, is much less, as will be seen by comparing the figures given in Table XXI.
It is only Rs. 326 for 93 stallions including donkeys or Rs. 3½ per stallion for
the whole year, and is generally attributed to the increased prices of gram and
fodder. The transit charges are shown separately this year in Table XI, al-
though they are included in the figures given above for the sake of comparison.

26.     The average cost of feeding a pony is greater than that of a horse in
Sholápur and Hyderabad, for which no explanation is offered by the District
Officers. In Sholápur, however, it may be due to the fact that the pony was
kept at the district head-quarter where prices rule generally higher than at
táluka towns where the horse stallions are kept.

                                    (2).—Branded Mares.

Number present at com-
mencement of year.

27. On the 1st April 1895 the number of branded
mares on the registers was as shown in the table
below :—