Observations on the breeding of horses, within the Provinces under the Bengal establishment, submitted to the consideration of the President and members of the Board of Superintendence [of the East India Company, 1814].

  • Moorcroft, William.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the breeding of horses, within the Provinces under the Bengal establishment, submitted to the consideration of the President and members of the Board of Superintendence [of the East India Company, 1814]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    56/72 (page 41)
    ( ) acquainted has detained Mr. De L’Etang at Ilajeejioor. It is submitted tliat this gentleman be relieved, and take upon himself the charge to which he was appointed, as there is now a considerable body of Colts requiring a degree of exercise, which cannot as safely be given, as under his care. I have had the honor to present to the Board a sketch of a project of Horserbreeding on a very extensive plan, and which, from being particularly advantageous to the farmer, may in time become popular. Increase in num- ber, imjjrovement in quality, moderateness in' price, and permanency in practice, have never been lost sight of in its construction. Breeding Colts by means of the natives, and rearing them at the expense of the State, have been insisted upon as necessary for obtaining Horses of good quality, at a reasonable rate. Diffusing the business of Horse-breeding by the assistance of the State in Stallions, by brood Mares, and by a fair price, have been considered likely to ensure good produce, adequate number and per- manency. The two fomier points may be looked upon as established, the latter as subject to doubt. I have advo- cated the practice of extensive diffusion amongst the na- tives, as multiplying resource, as diminishing chances of injury, whether of natural or political origin. But it re- mains to bo seen whether diffusion in its most advantage- ous form have not a less extensive range, than my reason- ings or plans may have suggested. For I have projected a general breeding line from the Great Gundhuk to Hurd- war. This must, however, be taken in a comprehensive and not in a hteral sense, that is, as a line of Stations at irregular and considerable distances, and not as an unin- teiTupted series of villages, each more or less occupied in breeding Horses. Great chasms must occur, as for in- stance by the intervention of the State of Oude, and of other tracts not eligibly situated for the pursuit It was represented as 07ie line in the view of security firom in- road, but in relation to the direct object, it would have been more suitable to have stated it as broken in its anil take upMi Iilm the i diitiue ol tlie former bta- Uon. Objoctfl of foiorointf plan. Inorcaso, fmprovo. mciit. iii'o<Icrate]iricoaud {icnuaneDcy. The l.atter doiibtftil. Extensive diffusion why desirable. But may be cinied too > far. Breeding line. CmslifU of nu npper ' and lower porUoa. r