230 



Horse Breeding in India. 



During 1896 the import of sheep was larger than the export, 

 which is unusual. The number imported was 9,269, and 

 7,050, roughly speaking, were exported. The Danish 

 Government experts are continually pointing out that the 

 breeding of sheep is very profitable to farmers, if only 

 good breeds are used, and this advice has been attended 

 to by some, as they have imported some fine-bred Oxford 

 Downs, which are considered to be admirably adapted to the 

 Danish climate. 



Horses were exported to the number of 17,729, or about 

 300 more than in 1895, and the import increased by 1,200. 

 Most of the animals exported were sent, as usual, to 

 Germany, while the imports were chiefly from Germany and 

 Sweden. Danish breeders are endeavouring to breed only 

 from the very best strains, either for heavy draught or light 

 traffic purposes. 



Barley disease was not so bad as in 1895, perhaps owing 

 to the drought during 1896, but in some districts it was 

 reported to have ruined nearly half the crop. Many experi- 

 ments have been made to find out, if possible, what are the 

 best sorts of rye and barley most suited to Danish soil, and 

 as regards the former, it has been decided that the Bretagna 

 rye is not only the best but the most prolific, besides giving 

 an excellent quality of straw for feed, etc. The Hessian fly 

 made its appearance during 1896, which is the first instance 

 of its having been found in Denmark. 



[Foreign Office Report, Animal Series, No. 1920. Price 3<^.] 



Horse Breeding in India.* 



In 1 89 1 the Civil Veterinary Department took over the 

 management of horse-breeding operations, which were 

 formerly under the direction of military officers. The staff 

 of veterinary surgeons concerned with this business is 

 distributed over the several provinces where horses and 

 mules are bred. These officers not only supervise horse- 

 breeding and mule- breeding, but, in conjunction with the 



* From the Statenmit exhibiting the Moral and Material Progress and Co?:dition o f 

 India during the year i8gs-g6. — H. C. 328. Price, is. ii|d. 



