24

There is a slight decrease in the number of pony mares covered, but still
as the general average of mares covered to stallions employed is 63.78, the
work done by the donkeys is, in some cases, too severe.

It is hoped that next year an appreciable increase in the number of donkey
mares covered will be shown, but to do this, it will be necessary to supply
the North-Western Provinces, Punjab and Baluchistan, with more donkey
power. This I trust to be able to do when the increase of 20 donkeys sanc-
tioned during the present year is obtained.

Number of
mule     stock
foaled.

55. The average of mule produce per stallion employed, as shown in Table
IX, is still unsatisfactory ; it being as follows :—

North-Western Provinces and Punjab both show a slight increase over
last year, whilst the Derajat is the highest percentage still reached. Bombay,
although showing an improvement over last year, is still most unsatisfactory.

Much is due to the bad working of the Zilladars, but I fear that some-
thing is due to the fact that in some cases the donkeys have been overworked.