34

prize winners among the young stock showed a large proportion of stud bred animals, though no
enquiries were made on the point till prizes had been awarded. so stud bred and other animals were
judged entirely on their merits. About 100 mares were branded, bringing the total of branded mares
in the district up to over 600. The people, as a rule, consider the Arab stallions too small for their
mares, but at the same time they dislike Norfolk Trotters, it showing much coarse blood. Some of
the best brood mares are I believe taken to Shahpur to be covered by Thoroughbreds, as there is
only one Thoroughbred horse in this district; another Thoroughbred would be much appreciated.
In the two large classes, branded mares and Waziri animals, one man was allowed to take as much
as two prizes. In other classes not more than 1 prize was allowed, a certificate being given instead
of a prize where one owner was adjugded more than one prize."

100. I have instructed the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, to
do his utmost to meet the Deputy Commissioner's wishes with reference to the
supply of another Thoroughbred, but horses of this class are in such demand
that I am not certain that we shall be able to comply with his request this
year.

101. With reference to the concluding portion of this officer's remarks, the
rule referred to by him was framed to prevent large private studs, the property of
Native gentlemen, absorbing all the best prizes to the detriment of the smaller
breeders ; the Judging Committee has the right to decide whether any breeder
comes under this rule or not, and I am pleased to find that on this occasion they
exercised their discretion in the matter by allowing breeders to take two larger
prizes in the larger classes.

Beri Donkey-
Fair.

102. Being most desirous to obtain indigenous donkeys for mule breeding, I
directed Veterinary Lieutenant Drage to attend this fair on 5th and 6th Octo-
ber 1894. In his report he states:—

"All the best donkeys were the little sturdy white Balutra bred ones, they are all well made
and show lots of breeding, but unfortunately they are very small. I noticed there was very little
difference in the height of a one year old and four-year old donkey of this breed ; of the former
I enquired the price, I think they could be purchased in any numbers from Rs. 12 to Rs. 15,
and if by proper feeding and general treatment they grew to any decent size, I can't help thinking
they would be worth purchasing for donkey breeding in such districts as Hazara, Peshawar,
Rawalpindi, especially as the Government are just now so short of donkey power; anyhow I
think the experiment worth trying, Government might purchase, say, two yearling Balutra don-
keys and keep them well until four years of age, but of course it would only be an experiment
as it is impossible to say whether the good feeding and liberty would make them grow.

" I am pleased to say no contagious disease broke out during the two days I attended the
fair."

I consider that the experiment advocated in the above report is worthy
of a trial, and I shall endeavour, at the next fair, to obtain a couple of the
best yearling Balutra donkeys for rearing on the Instruction Farm at Babu-
garh.

Delhi Horse
Show.

103. This horse show was held from 9th to 15th March 1895. The Deputy
Commissioner recommends that it should last but two or at the most three
days. With this I fully agree. The system of keeping these shows open for a
week is very prejudicial to their interests and prevents many purchasing offi-
cers from attending.

104. As far as numbers went, this show was much better than that held last
year. The increase being 274 ; this, however, was mainly due to the fact that
a great number of dealers halted here en route to Nauchandi (Meerut).

The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states that:—

" On the whole the show was an improvement on last year, nearly twice the number of animals
attended, and in the classes for young stock there was a much greater number competing. The
best classes were undoubtedly by yearlings, foals, and geldings."

                                                       *                      *                           *                        *

" During the show a Native officer of Indore was purchasing horses as remounts for Indore
State Cavalry. Among his purchases, four were branded fillies which I branded during my tour
of inspection just completed."

105. This show having until lately been under the management of the Sup-
erintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Provinces, has in-
cluded horses belonging to the Meerut district. It has now been decided to
restrict it entirely to the Punjab districts of Delhi, Kurnal, Rohtak, and Gur-
gaon. This will prevent undue competition on the part of mares and young
stock of an old established breeding district like Meerut, still there can be no
doubt that it will be deprived of some of its best exhibits.