74
The above will plainly show the effects of over-work caused by extra cul-
tivation in the North-Western Provinces Depôt.
Balance sheet of
cultivation oper-
ations.
445. Tables XVII and XVII (a), pages lxviii to lxx are balance sheets of
cultivation operations carried out at the North-Western Provinces and Punjab
Depôts. The profits of the former amount to Rs. 1,866-12-4 and of the latter,
Rs 811-0-7. These figures do not compare very favorably with those of last
year, which amounted to Rs. 3,579-9-5 and Rs. 1,091-14-11, respectively; but on
comparing the figures of the last 2 years, representing the actual expenditure
incurred in connection with the growing of crops, and the outturn, it will be
seen that while the expenses, especially under the head " Farm Labour" have
been considerably curtailed, the yield, has been maintained when the reduced
area under cultivation in 1895-96 is taken into account.
Return of farm
animals.
446. Table XVIII (page lxxii) shows the number of farm animals present
on 1st April 1895, and remaining on 31st March 1896.
Casualties.
447. Table XIX (page lxxiii) shows the number of casualties amongst the
farm animals, by which it will be seen that only one died.
On this point, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
South Punjab, states that the health of the farm animals was remarkably good
and that there was not a single case of disease.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
"All the farm animals have been very healthy during the year; there was no sickness amongst them and,
with the exception of the mare that died of tetanus, no other deaths. The farm mares continue to work in the
pumps and ploughs, but they are not called on to do very heavy work."
Sales.
448. Table XX, page lxxiv, shows the number of Instruction Farm animals
sold, by which it will be seen that nine farm stallions were sold to District
Boards and Native States for stud work. Nine farm and pony mares, stallions
and young stock, were disposed of by auction, being unfit to be retained. Three
head of young stock were sold to the Remount Department and two donkeys
were disposed of to the Madras Government and one to the North-Western
Provinces Government for provincial mule breeding.
Farm produce.
449. The outturn of the North-Western Provinces farm was small when
compared with last year; this must be accounted for by the fact that the rain-
fall was exceedingly small, this necessitated constant irrigation and the mares
could not perform this work properly.
With reference to the outturn in the Punjab Depôt, the Superin-
tendent remarks as follows:—
"The outturn of crops on a whole was good, but in one or two instances the season proved unfavourable;
the hot winds and the rains holding off made the scarcity of water prominently felt."
The following are the crops which were grown on the farm:—
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES FARM.
"The crops raised on the farm wore :—1. Lucerne, 2. Guinea grass, 3. Impey, 4. Carrots, 5. Hay, 6. Oats,
7. Moth, 8. Indian corn, 9. Gram, 10. Lathyrus Sylvestris.
"Owing to the scarcity of rain the outturn of grass and hay has been much less than in other years.
The cold weather crops also were less than usual, and several crops that in ordinary years would grow without
the help of irrigation, had this year to be watered.
Lucerne.
"There were two acres under lucerne cultivation and the crop did very well and gave a good outturn, 1,331
maunds 34 seers being obtained. The question is often asked which is the best method of growing lucerne ?
Whether it should be sown in ridges or sown broad cast ? From the experience gained at this farm, there is no
doubt but the ridge system is far superior. The advantages of growing in ridges are:—
"(1) It raises the stem of the plant out of contact with the irrigation water, as, under natural condi-
tions, the plant requires very little surface moisture.
"(2) Weeding is much more easily performed.
"(3) During the rains it prevents the plant being constantly saturated with water, the furrows acting
as surface drains.
"(4) The quantity of seed required is less.
"(5) The soil round the stem and roots of the plant can easily be loosened and kept clean by having
the furrows ploughed. For this purpose a very useful plough is made on the farm known as
Burke's combined plough, which can be made up for about Rs. 22.