56
242. To commence with, the amount of arable land in the North-Western
Provinces Depôt was reduced by 11 acres, in addition to the reduction effected
in the dub grass area, and the cultivated portions of this farm were brought
together instead of being divided as they had hitherto been; this latter plan
resulted in the irrigation being performed by two instead of by four wells.
243. At the end of the year the farm was inspected again, but the results
still proved that the strain on the farm mares was too great to warrant a system
being advocated which could not be brought to a successful issue when tried
under the most advantageous circumstances. It has therefore been decided by
the Government of India to discontinue the instruction and demonstration
classes at Babugarh. The farm will be in future used entirely for the pur-
pose of raising fodder for the stallions at the depôt; but experiments will be
continued in the way of raising new fodder crops, and with this view I am in
communication with Dr. Leather, Agricultural Chemist to the Government of
India, in order to increase the experiments.
Balance sheet
of cultivation
operations.
244. Tables XVII & XVII (a) (pages lxvi and lxviii) are balance sheets
showing the expenditure incurred. The former is that of North-Western Prov-
inces Depôt, which shows a profit of Rs. 3,579-9-5; the latter is that of the
Punjab Depôt which shows a profit of Rs. 1,091-14-11. In both cases is there an
increase over last year. In the case of North-Western Provinces Depôt, the
profit exceeds that of last year by Rs. 1,258-10-4, and that of the Punjab Depôt
by Rs. 561-13-6; this must be considered satisfactory, as in addition to the
savings effected, a further saving will be shown in the average cost of feed and
keep of the stallions whilst at the depôt; this has been effected by reducing
the prices at which fodder, &c., grown on the farm was sold. During the year
under review, the current market rates have been strictly adhered to; this has
resulted in the value of produce raised at the farm and sold to Government
stallions being reduced greatly, but this has been more than counterbalanced
by the cost in cultivation in North-Western Provinces Depôt, which this year
has been shown at Rs. 3,257-2-2 against Rs. 6,948-14-4 last year. This has
been effected by the reduction in the amount of labour employed; a great por-
tion of the work that had hitherto been done by this agency being now carried
out by the syces and grasscutters employed at the depôt.
Return of Farm
animals.
245. Table XVIII (page lxx) shows the number of farm animals pre-
sent on 1st April 1894, and remaining on 31st March 1895.
Casualties.
246. Table XIX (page lxxi) shows the number of casualties amongst
the farm animals, by which it will be seen that one died and two were des-
troyed.
Sales.
247. Table XX (page lxxii) shows the number of farm animals sold. By
the orders of Government, these farms keep up a reserve of 10 pony stallions
to supply indents received from District Boards during the year. These were
bought in Bombay during the cold weather, and the greatest care was observed
in their selection, higher prices were paid but none but good animals were
selected, and it is found that District Boards are only too glad to pay enhanced
prices to obtain good sires. The increase in the initial cost is but trifling, and
it is readily understood by these bodies that an inferior animal costs as much
to maintain as a good one.
248. As in former years, I purpose giving the report of each Superin-
tendent in extenso, as I consider both contain useful information with reference
to fodder crops.
249. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, states:—
" The crops raised on the farm were—1. Lucerne, 2. Guinea grass, 3. Impey, 4. Buffaloe
grass, 5. Sundhio Jowari, 6. Carrots, 7. Dub grass, 8. Hay, 9. Oats, 10. Indian-corn, 11. Gram,
12. Clover, 13. Sugarcane, 14. American Indian-corn, 15. English grasses and cereals, 16. Ameri-
can oats.
Lucerne.
" There were two acres under Lucerne cultivation; the crop did very well and gave a good out-
turn. The highest outturn being obtained from October to April and the lowest from July to
September. The total quantity produced during the year was 2,153 maunds 20 seers.
Guinea grass.
" The area under guinea grass was about ¾ acres. The crop was very satisfactory and yielded
862 maunds 32 acres, the heaviest outturn being obtained from March to October.