186
Horse Fairs and
Shows.
786. The total number of animals present may be said to have been about
what it was last year, whilst 2,000 more animals competed for prizes.
Horse and mule¬
breeding in
Native States.
787. The good work done in the Native States is worthy of mention.
One thousand seven hundred and sixteen mares were covered by horse stallions
and 789 by donkeys against 1,680 and 595 respectively during 1897-98.
PROVINCIAL.
Colleges and
Schools.
788. The results obtained at the final examinations show the following
results:—
Bengal . . . . . . . .
Lahore . . . . . . . .
Bombay . . . . . . . .
Rajputana . . . . . . . .
Percentage of students who
were successful.
1897-98.
93.33
88.03
50.00
89.40
1898-99.
100.00
81.00
58.00
75.00
The success obtained at the Bengal Veterinary College is most satisfactory.
Provincial horse
breeding.
789. This most useful adjunct to Imperial horse-breeding has proved a
great success. During the year under report, 181 stallions were employed
at stud work against 163 last year, whilst the number of mares covered rose
from 8, 420 last year to 9,724 this year. This is most satisfactory. The
average number of mares covered per stallion employed rose in our three
large breeding centres.
790. Two thousand three hundred and eighty-five foals are known to
have been dropped against 2,204 last year.
Cattle disease,
Investigation of.
791. I have attempted to show that horse and mule-breeding have
recovered from the injury which they sustained through famine and the
Frontier expeditions, but I would draw special attention to the good work
done by the officers of this Department in connection with cattle. The
amount of original research work which has been effected during the year
under review has never been equalled since this Department was formed, and
I trust that the Government of India will recognize the zeal of the small band
of officers who have striven to further the interests of the agricultural
community.
792. Cattle breeding is receiving attention generally and will be further
considered when we are furnished with more officers.
Veterinary Dispen-
saries.
793. These most useful institutions are extending and during the year
under review all have worked well, affording relief to the large number of
48,428 animals.
Cases treated by
Veterinary Assis-
tants.
794. I have before pointed out that the value of Veterinary Assistants
is not so much in the controlling of outbreaks of contagious diseases, for in
dealing with these they can only advise and their advice is more frequently
than not refused; it is more in the treatment of the ordinary ailments of
cattle that they are of value. I am therefore pleased to see a steady increase
in the number of cattle treated by the subordinate staff.
795. The following statement will show the improvement which has taken
place during the past four years :—
1895-96 . . . . . .
1896-97 . . . . . .
1897-98 . . . . . .
1898-99 . . . . . .
1,11,723 cases treated.
1,18,517
„
1,57,214
„
1,65,844 „
Conclusion.
796. Again I have the pleasure to report that the officers of this Depart-
ment, one and all, have worked with zeal and have evinced a desire to bring
to a successful issue the work with which they have been connected.
797. It was with regret that I felt compelled to part with Veterinary
Captain Gunn, who for the past four years has worked with me as Assistant to
the Inspector General. His knowledge of cattle and their diseases, his zeal