5
year's Annual Report. Tables XV to XVII are attached to show how the
farm animals were disposed of. These tables will, in future, be omitted from
the appendices of the Annual Reports of this Department.
GOVERNMENT CATTLE FARM, HISSAR.
39. The Farm has now been 5 years under the management of the Civil
Veterinary Department.
40. Cows.—On the 31st March there were 736 cows present against 779
last year. 17 died, 1 was destroyed, and 25 barren, old and worthless cows
were sold during the year. 85 very high class farm-bred heifers were put into
the breeding herds on the 1st April, making the total up to 821. As the Mili-
tary Department require 250 Siege Train bullocks annually and it is estimated
that about 100 bulls will also be required, it is proposed to raise the breeding
herd to 1,100 cows which should be sufficient to meet all requirements.
41. Young Stock — The number of female produce present on the 31st
March was 513 and the number of calves born during the year was 310, viz.,
126 males and 184 females. These are valuable stock and true to type.
42. Bulls.—There were 11 bulls remaining on the 31st March against 18
last year. 1 died, 2 were sold as unfit for use, and 4 castrated and worked on
the farm. 4 farm-bred bulls joined the herds on the 1st April, thus allowing 1
bull for every 50 cows. Although the districts were carefully searched and
every fair attended, it was found impossible to purchase a single bull true to
type and otherwise good enough to place with the breeding herds.
43. Supernumerary Bulls.—34 bulls for issue to the districts were pur-
chased by the Punjab Government, 1 bull was supplied to the Remount Dep6t
at Babugarh, 1 to Colonel Atkinson for the 17th Bengal Lancers Farm on the
Jhelum Colony, and 1 to Faridkot. These bulls are the first batch issued since
the reorganization of the farm. They have been very carefully reared, are
well grown, straight-legged animals, possessing great power and all the true
characteristics of the Harriana breed. Pure bred sires of this description will
rapidly improve the stock of the districts in which they are placed.
44. Males.—395 were present on the 31st March. 16 died, 1 was destroyed
and 162 sold as being undersized and unfit for Siege Train bullocks.
45. Females.—Out of the 513 present on the 31st March, 9 died, 3 were
destroyed and 33 sold, being undersized and not true to type.
46. The above 2 batches of 162 males and 33 females are the remnants of
the cross bred stock which it has been deemed advisable to draft and sell. The
castings in future years will be very small, as the breeding herds are now com-
posed of practically pure bred Harriana cattle which have been very carefully
selected.
47 Mules.—There were 287 mules present on the 31st March. 7 were
born on the farm and 59 purchased during the year. 11 mules were cast and
sold being unfit for Ordnance purposes. 66 mules were supplied to the Re-
mount Department and classified as follows:—
Ordnance ... ... ... ...
Ordnance Baggage ... ... ...
Transport ... ... ... ...
17
45
4
This is the first batch of mules issued from the farm.
48. The small percentage of Ordnance mules is attributed to the fact that
these animals were originally purchased for Rs. 70 each. It was recognised that
this amount was insufficient to procure the right class of young mule that
would eventually grow into an animal fit for Ordnance purposes and the price
was accordingly raised to Rs. 120.
49. It is estimated that 70 out of the 110 which will be issued this year
will prove good enough for Ordnance and the remaining 40 for Ordnance bag-
gage.