'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎23r] (50/188)

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The reeds and bulrushes are confined to the swamps of the Hamun and
the banks of the irrigation channels. r lhe young reeds, which spring up
after the annual burning in Spring of the old stems, afford pasture for
cattle. , . . -
There are no mineral products. Saltpetere is obtainable in large quanti
ties in Kohat, south of Farah, where it is extensively prepared for exporta
tion to Kandahar and Herat. t
The domestic animals include the horse, mule,
Animals. camel, ox, sheep and goat.
Horses. —The approximate number of horses in Seistan, according to informa
tion available from the books of the local Government, is 2,500. The climate
is unfavourable to them and they are also troubled by a noxious fly, whose
bite is said to be frequently fatal. During the hot weather horses have
to be kept in bark stables, or covered entirely with cloth to protect
them from these flies. It is said that the belly of the animal is
especially vulnerable, dhere is also a iatal disease to which horses in this
country are subject, called surkh sargm (red dung). The symptoms
are : first the hind legs swell, the dung then changes to a vermilion colour,
and the skin is frequently covered with pimples, the urine is bloody, and
at last paralysis seizes upon all the limbs and death endues. The eye during
the progress of the disease is of a pale yellow colour, only a few specks of
white remaining, and it is said that the tail dries up so that the hairs c&R
be pulled out by the handful. The disease in some cases kills in three
days, but horses passing through Seistan during the hot weather genei ally
live for a few months, dying, however, in about two cases out of five,
within the year. The horses are small but apparently hardy, and seem to
be a cross between Persian and Kabuli and are suitable tor baggage ponies.
Mules - Are apparently very few. ™
—Napier estimates the number at about 1,000, but possibly there
are more ; the Baluchis in the Shela district are said to own a number of camels.
In the winter most of the camels are out of the country on caravan work;
they carry loads from 5 to 8 maunds, according to Brazier-Creagh. This
is not borne out by Major Bonn’s reports, which say that the Seistan camel
cannot carry 5-maund loads, and mentions this as one of the difficulties
attending caravans coming from Quetta which charge camels in Seistan.
Major Brazier-Creagh bought some good “ barbardari ^ camels at from
80 to 200 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. each, and three sowari ones at rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 65, 85 and 110.
Camels and sheep die from eating the leaves of a plant called troolk.
Cattle. Napier gives the number at 8,248 and Brazier Cr^agh at 11,616.
Ploughing is done entirely with oxen ; cattle apparently do well.
bonkeys. Are of a very good class and are the principal means of transport;
they carr/about two maunds for long distances, going at about 4 or 5 miles an
hour, they are also used for riding purposes, they do well and thrive.
Napier puts the number at 9,312 and Brazier-Creagh at 5,492. .
Sheep and Goats. —There are large herds in the country. Napier says 39,870
and Brazier-Creagh 42,010, besides those owned by the nomads ; large herds
graze under the Palang Koh where good pasture is obtained from the “ bannu,
which grows in the dry bed of the Shela and on the flat part of the country
subject to inundation. , A
There are practically no vehicles in the country ana
Transport. t ^ e the principal means of local transport.