80
Donkey colts.
"Two colts were received during the year by purchase from Rawalpindi and three were transferred
from the Imperial list, making a total of twenty-four. Of these, ten were sold by public auction, being
undersized and unfit for breeding purposes. One was sold to the Madhopur Court of Wards Estate for
Rs. 200 and six were transferred to the Imperial list, leaving seven at the close of the year.
Total number of
animals on the
Farm.
"This gives us a total of thirty-nine animals remaining on the Farm on the 31st March 1899.
Percentage of foal-
ing.
"Out of 17 mares (practically 15) five have already foaled, giving a percentage of 29.40. Five other
mares are heavy in foal and will drop their foals in April—a month after this official report.
Ploughing competi-
tions.
"This year, mares were sent to the Bulandshahr and Nauchandi Shows to compete in the ploughing
matches; at both Shows prizes were gained."
393. The results, taking the small rainfall from September to March, must
be considered very satisfactory, but I am aware that they would not be reached
were it not for the close supervision exercised by Veterinary-Major Ringe.
394. I thought last year we had arrived at the proper relation of the
amount of work to foal-bearing powers which mares were capable of, but this,
although fairly correctly ascertained, has been entirely upset during the year
by the want of rain; extra work was thrown on the mares, resulting in loss
of condition and corresponding weakness of foals. It was either a question of
sacrificing the foals or the crops, and the Superintendent decided to save the
latter even at the cost of the former. This will account for the young stock
on this Farm not being what it should be.
395. As I have before remarked, donkey breeding has not resulted in suc-
cess. The mares were good and the best Italian Jacks were used, still the attempt
has ended in failure. It will be seen that, whilst seven were transferred for breed-
ing purposes, ten had to be sold, being undersized and unfit for breeding. Don-
keys develop very badly at Babugarh; even young donkeys bought at Rawal-
pindi and Gujrat, which promise most favourably when purchased, neither
grow nor develop in bone sufficiently to render them good mule-getting sires.
Punjab Farm.
396. The farming operations in the Punjab Farm were not so successful
as those in the North. Western Provinces; this was due to the fact that only one
well is available for irrigation purposes, and this did not prove sufficient
during a year in which the rainfall was so deficient. This, however, had a
beneficial effect on the mares; most of them are in foal.
Balance sheet of
cultivation opera-
tions.
397. Tables XVII and XVII (a) are balance sheets of cultivation opera-
tions carried out at the North-Western Provinces and Punjab Depôts at Babu-
garh. The profits of the North-Western Provinces Farm are returned at
R199-0-6, whilst that of the Punjab is shown at R500-5-8.
398. The cost of feed and keep of Farm animals shows a great reduction
when compared with last year. In the North-Western Provinces the saving
is R2,187-2-10, whilst in the Punjab it amounts to R1,498-2-10; but the
outturn calculated at the market rate shows a reduction of R2,736 in
the North-Western Provinces and of R1,863-8-3 in the Punjab. This
more than counterbalances the savings in cost of feed and keep and accounts
for the reduction in the savings shown.
399. The smallness of outturn was due to the scanty rainfall, and I think
the officers in charge are to be congratulated even with the success gained
under the adverse circumstances.
Return of Farm
Stock.
400. Table XVIII shows the number of Farm animals at the commence-
ment and at the end of the year.
Casualties.
401. Table XIX shows the number of casualties amongst the Farm ani-
mals. In the North-Western Provinces these were heavier than usual, consist-
ing as they did of—
2 Deaths, and
4 destructions.
This depôt unfortunately lost an Arab pony shortly after its arrival from
Bombay; this was a serious loss to the Farm. Of the 4 animals destroyed, 3
mares were destroyed as being old and worn-out.
402. The South Punjab Farm shows a clear sheet, there having been
neither a death nor a case calling for destruction.
Sales.
403. Table XX shows the sales which have been effected during the year,
by which it will be seen that 10 Arab ponies and 1 donkey stallion were sold
for stud purposes. One head of stock was sold to the Army Remount
Department, and 5 were sold as being unfit for Farm work, or as not likely to
grow into remounts. Ten young donkeys were sold; these were mainly
Home-breds that were not likely to turn into Jacks fit for sires. For this
reason donkey breeding has been given up on both farms.