( 7 )
GENERAL REMARKS.
38. The results on the work of the year may be considered as most
satisfactory. A similar remark was made last year, but during the year under
report the number of animals attacked with contagious diseases has decreased
by 5,629 cases, and the mortality therefrom by 1,749. Breeding operations,
chiefly horse and sheep, have improved and increased.
39. Preventive inoculations and vaccinations show a large increase
on previous years, and in most places the people readily adopt it.
In some cases it appears that inoculations were begun too late, and by that
time most, if not all, the susceptible animals had died or taken the disease
and only the immune animals were left, consequently in such cases inoculation
is of little use. Reports of outbreaks are often received too late, and the
Veterinary Assistant through ignorance or carelessness inoculates when it is
unnecessary, and hence a certain amount of serum is wasted. Statistical results
of inoculations in these cases look very well on paper, but probably they
would be different if the inoculation had been started at the very beginning
of the outbreak.
More promptness in reporting by the patwari, the early performance
of inoculation, and strict superior supervision are the three great factors
necessary for better results.
40. Horse-breeding is flourishing and great keenness is shown by the
people of Bannu, Peshawar and the Kurram Agency. The standard scale
of horse stallions has been increased by one in the Kurram Agency. Bannu
and Dera Ismail Khan also require an extra stallion each.
The Political Agent of the Kurram Agency intends holding an annual
Horse and Cattle Show in future. This Agency is very subject to the ravages
of cattle diseases, and consequently the Veterinary Assistant at Parachinar is
frequently having to go on tour. The Superintendent is of the opinion that
an Itinerating Veterinary Assistant is urgently required for this work with
his head-quarters and a branch dispensary at Saddar or Alizai. A new stallion
stable consisting of one horse and one donkey has recently been opened at
Alizai.
The thorough-bred Australian stallion which was supplied to the
Bannu District through the Quartermaster-General was found on arrival to
be hereditarily unsound, and consequently he was not allowed to be used for
stud purposes. An enquiry is being made by the Deputy Commissioner.
Three donkey stallions were supplied by the Hissar Farm during the
year at a cost of Rs. 600 each; the price previous to this used to be Rs. 450.
They were a poor lot of animals, and the only ones available at the time.
Donkeys similar to this lot can be got in the local market for about Rs. 150
each. One of the Hissar bred donkeys received in February 1911 had to be
cast as he refused to cover, and one out of the new lot received in December
1912 is a similar failure. This is the third case which has come under the
notice of the Superintendent within the last year.
41. The Superintendent toured in Kaghan during last June and July
in connection with the merino sheep-breeding experiments, and submitted his
report on the same to the Revenue Commissioner. The breeding results were
most encouraging and satisfactory. There were then close on 300 cross-bred
lambs. The Dhariwal Woollen Mills Company, to whom a sample of the cross-
bred wool was sent, expressed the opinion that it was the finest sample they
had yet seen in India. The question of opening up a wool trade with Kaghan
is being considered by this company, and they were kind enough to offer
Rs. 200 for prizes in connection with a Sheep Show to be held during the
coming year. This offer was accepted and agreed to by the Deputy Commis-
sioner, Hazara, but unfortunately the Show had to be cancelled, as the Superin-
tendent, Civil Veterinary Department, could not perform the journey owing