14
102. Herd bulls.—Nineteen were present against the same number last year.
They are all bred on the farm and are of uniform size and colour. The present
number is insufficient but as high class bulls are unobtainable in the open
market, it was decided to carry on with the present number until the young
bulls coming on are fit for service.
103. Supernumerary bulls.—Ninety-nine bulls were supplied to the districts
of the Punjab against 31 last year. This was a magnificent batch and they are
much appreciated by breeders in the districts.
104. Mules.—Two-hundred and twenty-six were present against 263 last
year. Ninety-six were issued to the service, 42 were purchased and 17 born
on the farm during the year. It is extremely doubtful whether the farm will
ever be able to work up to the standard number, viz., 400, as young mules
of a suitable stamp are unobtainable in the open market.
105. Donkey stallions —Two donkey stallions and 3 donkey colts bred on
the farm have been brought on the strength during the year, making a total of
5 donkey stallions present on the 31st March 1907.
106. Donkey colts.—Fifty-five were present last year against 53 this year
Eighteen colts were born on the farm and 3 purchased. Ten donkey stallions
were issued to the Army Remount Department and District Boards and 5
transferred to donkey stallions.
107. Pony stallions.—One remains—the same as last year.
108. Donkey mares.—Seventy-nine were present against 62 last year.
The increase is due to 12 mares being transferred from zebroid breeding and
10 fillies bred on the farm being transferred to brood mares. Two mares were
sold and 3 died. Sixteen fillies are present against 19 last year, 9 were born
on the farm, 10 transferred to brood mares and 2 died.
109. This branch of the farm is a complete success and it will probably be
necessary to still further increase the donkey stock as an officer lately deputed
to the Continent of Europe and Cyprus finds it difficult to purchase donkeys
of the stamp bred on the farm.
110. Zebra stallions.—Only one stallion now remains, the other was found
useless for stud purposes and was presented to the Zoological Gardens at Lahore.
Two zebrules were born during the year ; they are both fillies of a very fair
stamp, bay in colour, with zebra markings and quicker and more active in
their movements than a mule.
111. Owing to the fact that these experiments have not proved as success-
ful as it was anticipated, I have reduced the number of mares to 4 donkey and
18 pony, as I consider this number sufficient to carry on the experiment.
112. Pony mares for mule-breeding.—35 were present against 38 last
year and 17 mule foals were born.
113. Sheep.—Considerable progress has been made with sheep-breeding.
Two hundred and forty-six ewes and 4 rams (2 Dumbas and 2 Merinos) were
present. The lambs were sold at Rs. 2-10 0 each and the wool realized
Rs. 38-8-0 per maund.
114. Cultivation.—Great improvements have been effected under this head
during the year. Large areas have been levelled, brought under flow irrigation
and new water courses made. This extension of the cultivation was absolutely
necessary to ensure a plentiful supply of fodder during scanty years.
115. Buildings and machinery.—The whole of the machinery has been
completely overhauled and where necessary is being replaced by new machi-
nes. Dutch barns have been erected at the various farms and new stallion
stables at the Home Farm.
116. A Committee which assembled in February last valued the entire
farm, stock, buildings, land, etc., and a new system of accounts was introduced.
This has supplied a long felt want, as it places the farm on a true commer-
cial basis and enables the Department to approximately calculate profit and
oss under each head and show at a glance the total assets, etc.