100 



COST OF KEEP OF ELEPHANTS. 



with dry fodder, but it is evident that the amount allowed in the Com- 

 missariat scales is quite insufficient. 



The elephants in Madras and Bengal differ in no respect. They are 

 frequently imported to both Presidencies from Burmah, and whilst those 

 allotted to Bengal are allowed 400 lb. of fodder, similar animals in Madras 

 are allowed 250 11). But were either of these scales adhered to, the 

 elephants would die in a few weeks. It is difficult to conjecture how they 

 were fixed originally, but it is probable that these were the amounts 

 intended to be purchased over and above what the grass-cutter could 

 collect when free fodder was not obtainable in sufficient quantities. I 

 found that in Bengal the present scale was in force prior to 1822. 



Since representing the inadequacy of the above allowances to Govern- 

 ment in official correspondence on the subject, I have been informed that 

 experiments have been made in the Bengal Commissariat Department, in 

 continuation of my own, which have proved that an elephant will eat 750 

 lb. of dry sugar-cane, which is more feeding fodder than grass, per diem, 

 and that steps are being taken to remodel the fodder scale. 



The following scale of cost of keep is for a female of full size in the 

 Bengal and Madras Commissariat Departments respectively, per mensem : — 



Bengal. 



Rs. As. 

 1 mahout, ..... 

 1 grass-cutter, .... 



18 lb. unhusked rice per diem, at 64 lb. per rupee, 

 Allowance for medicines, salt, &c, . 

 Fodder allowance, at 2 annas per diem, 



Total Rs.,* . . . . 24 



Madras. 



1 mahout, 



1 grass-cutter, 



25 lb. rice per diem, at 30 lb. per rupee, 



Salt, oil, and medicines, 



Fodder, average purchase per mensem, 



Total Rs * 



The rupee is usually calculated at two shillings. 



