(2)
5. There were 17 horse and 17 donkey stallions at the end of the year,
or 5 horse stallions and 3 donkey stallions short of the sanctioned strength.
The deficiency in the Peshawar and Kohat districts is due to thefts by raiders
during the Afghan War. A valuable thorough-bred horse was taken from
Peshawar and sold in Jalalabad and one pony and two donkey stallions were
lost in the same way. It is doubtful if funds can be found to bring the stud
up to full strength in the current year. 14 horse, 5 pony and 18 donkey
stallions were actually employed at stud and covered 1,747 mares as against
1,782 in the preceding year.
6 As noted in last year's report District Boards continue to take a
lively interest in cattle-breeding. Of 10 and 5 bulls indented for last year by the
Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan districts 6 and 4 respectively were obtained.
Special classes and prizes have been introduced in the cattle fairs for the stock
of District Boards bulls. The Awankari herd, which was started with 10 cows
and a stud bull at Tarnab in 1913, now comprises 42 pure bred Awankari
animals. They are in excellent condition and are fine typical animals. Six
young bulls are now ready for service in the districts and will be offered to
the Veterinary Department on payment for distribution to the various District
Boards
7. As regards sheep-breeding there is little to record of the Haznra
Merino flock. Of the 17 three-quarter bred rams remaining from last year
2 died. The Tarnab Farm flock has made good progress. The Pushti-Kuh
ram died last autumn leaving a fine flock of lambs. The flock has been
carefully observed and records of its progress have been kept. The live weight
of the pure imported Pushti-Kuh ram at Tarnab was 170 lbs. at 4 years. His
fleece weighed fully 4 lbs. Some of his ram lambs aged 14 to 15 months
were weighed and sheared during the year. They weighed from 111 lbs. to
145 lbs. and their fleece weighed from 1 3/4 lbs. and 2½ lbs, at the age of 14½ to
15½ months. It is clear that the best Pushti-Kuh Hashtnagri ram will
eventually weigh far heavier than the pure imported Pushti-Kuh ram. The
lambs that weigh 125-126 lbs. at 15 months will certainly weigh about 200 lbs.
at 4 years. The fleece is far superior to that of the pure Hashtnagri ram.
The fleeces of all the animals have been sent to the Egerton Woollen Mills for
valuation, and the result will be noted in the next report. The flock owners
of the Peshawar District chiefly breed for mutton and early maturity of the
lambs, which they try to market at 4 or 5 months. The wool to them is of
comparatively little value. The new cross breed is, therefore, likely to become
very popular for the sake of the mutton. 14 Pushti-Kuh Hashtnagri rams
were available at the Tarnab Farm, and of these 10 are being allotted to the
Pe-hawar and 4 to the Kohat District for breeding purposes.
8 The appointment of a whole-time Superintendent of the Civil
Veterinary Department of this Province was sanctioned by the Secretary of
State in 1915, but no suitable candidate could be found in consequence of the
war. The post has now been filled temporarily by the appointment of
Mr. Garewal, and it is hoped that the Department will next year show great
improvement as a result of receiving his undivided attention.
9. In conclusion the Chief Commissioner is pleased to acknowledge
the good work done by Mr. Garewal and his subordinates during the year.
By order of the Hon'ble the Chief Commissioner
and Agent to the Governor-General,
H. N. BOLTON,
Revenue Secretary to the Chief Commissioner,
North-West Frontier Province.
N. W. F. P. Govt. Press, Peshawar-116 R. C—14-9-20—125—G. C. F.