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progeny ; but that stamina and toughness generally come from the sire, 

 after thorough acclimatization. 



B. Toole, Esq. : The production of large stock (mares) for breeding 

 mules is highly desirable. Two-thirds of the mules at present in the 

 Island while tough and hardy enough, are too small and this in many 

 cases entails the working of three animals where two larger ones 

 would suffice 



The desired improvement cannot be attained by the breeding of large 

 mares only. I think it of equal importance to have a few lurge jacks 

 imported on the same lines as the stallions, or perhaps the large jacks 

 at present in the Island, owned by private individuals, could be subsi- 

 dised to such an extent that their service would be available for a 

 moderate charge. 



I do not mean it to be understood that there are not many good 

 stallions, and mares too, at present in the Island, but the difficulty is 

 that their services are beyonl the reach of the ordinary settler, who in 

 preference to paying what he considers a high fee and sending his mare 

 a long distance, satisfies himself with the service of his neighbour's 

 pony whose highest ambition is to carry his owner's breadkind to market 

 in hampers, or perhaps to help to draw his John Crow mill. 



IlNiTED Fruit Co. : We think the producing of larger stock for 

 breeding draft mules of primary rather than of secondary importance. 

 And as we do not agree with the importation of mares, to attain this 

 end, we hold, a law should be enacted to prohibit breeders and stock- 

 owners in general from keeping either for breeding or other purposes, 

 any stallion under the height of 14 '2 hands. This done, it would be 

 practically easy to raise the standard of our mares, and with gooi im- 

 ported jacks, the desired end will be accomplished in a few years. 



A. B. Yentresse, Esq. : I think my views in reply to this question 

 are practically state I in answer to 6 (1). There is no doubt whatever 

 that we do require larger stock for breeding draft mules, but the great 

 reason at pres nt why our mules are so small is on account of the 

 small donkey stallions spread all over the country ; some determined 

 efforts should be made by the Governmeut to do away with these, and 

 at present I do not see anything more feasible than a heavy tax for 

 the keeping of entires. We must get rid of our under- sized and under- 

 bred stallions and jacks, then we shall breed up to the best we have, 

 and not down to our worst as at present. 



I should prefer the importation of mares if it can be encouraged on 

 a large enough scale to produce the desired results. A sliding scale 

 would have to be adopted to prevent monopoly and favouritism, hence 

 a bounty might with advantage be paid, but the bounty should only 

 be on Hunters and Hackneys; our own stallions Ciossed with these 

 would produce just what is i^equired for our own use and for remounts. 



Probubl}' something like the following might be advisable, namely, 

 a bounty of five guineas per head each for wone or two mares, for one 

 pen or one individual Penkeeper ; four guineas for each of three; 



