79
feed and keep of Farm animals, which amounted to Rs. 1,240-2-5 in the North-
Western Provinces and to Rs. 1,384-6-3 in the Punjab in excess of last year. It
is, however, pleasing to note that the outturn of the Farms showed the following
increases:—Rs. 2,016-7-11 in the North-Western Provinces and Rs. 1,785-11-3
in the Punjab.
492. My best thanks are due to Veterinary-Captains Ringe and Joslen, the
Superintendents in charge, as also Messrs. D'Silva and Vaz, Veterinary Overseers,
for the able manner in which they seconded my efforts to reduce expenditure, and
to them personally, for the excellent results obtained in cultivation.
493. There is one remark which I would make with reference to these
Balance Sheets which are the forms sanctioned by the Government of India. It is
that the rate charged to the stallions is not the actual cost of the various crops
grown, but these are charged at market rates as shown in the Production Return
of the Balance Sheets. This is quite fair as far as the Farm is concerned, but it
increases the average cost of feed and keep per stallion at the Depôt, which, as
will be seen by reference to Tables XI and XIV, is high. It is immaterial from a
financial point of view, which course is adopted, but I mention it as it will account
for the cost of feed and keep at the Depôts, which otherwise might not be under-
stood.
Return of Farm
stock.
494. Table XVIII shows the number of Farm animals present at the com-
mencement and at the end of the year.
Casualties
495. Table XIX shows the number of casualties amongst the Farm animals.
These were, I am glad to say, but few, amounting to:—
1 death.
1 destruction.
J
In North-Western Provinces.
The mare destroyed was only kept a few months having been presented to
the Farm with a view of ascertaining whether she would hold or not.
1 death.
2 destructions.
J
In Punjab.
\
Sales.
496. Table XX shows the number of Instruction Farm animals sold during
the year, by which it will be seen that 9 pony and 2 donkey stallions were sold to
District Boards for breeding purposes, and 2 head of young stock and 3 mules, the
produce of Farm mares were sold to the Army Remount Department. The sales
this year exceeded those of past years owing to the decision to discontinue keeping
pony and donkey mares on the Farms.
Farm produce.
N. W. P.
Farm.
497. This has been an excellent year for the Farm, although a hard one, for
owing to the absence of rain constant irrigation of the Rabi crop was required from
September to February. The Farm has benefitted by the untiring care and zeal
of the Superintendent, Veterinary-Captain Ringe who has been most ably assisted
by the Veterinary Overseer, Mr. Vaz. I trust that after a perusal of the Farming
Operations, the Government of India will agree with me that some of the experi-
ments will entitle the Farm to the name of being one from which instruction can
be obtained; this is what we aim at, bearing in mind that the experiments are
such as will provide fodder for the stallions, and that they are conducted on a
commercial basis.
498. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, describes the cultivation operations, as follows:—
The crops grown on the Farm were (1) Lucerne. (2) Guinea Grass, (3) Impey, (4) Maize. (5) Carrots, (6) Oats,
(7) Barley, (8) Gram, (9) Marwa, (10) Hay, (11) Mauritius water grass, (12) Reana Luxurians, (13) Solghum
Haliphense, (14) Clovers, (15) Other artificial grasses, (16) Mandua.
Lucerne.
There are 10 bighas (2 1/12 acres) under cultivation (grown in ridges). This crop has done exceedingly well,
giving the high outturn of 1,880¼ maunds, as against last year's yield of 1,715 maunds 35 seers. After every 6th cutting,
manure was applied with excellent results, 24 cuttings were obtained during the year.
Guinea Grass.
The area under cultivation was 2½ bighas (about ½ acre); about ¼ acre less than last year. This crop
has also done well, giving the excellent outturn of 787 maunds against last year's yield of 1,021 maunds 5
seers, for 3/4 acre. The proportion for ½ acre last year being 681 maunds, the yield this year for the same
area being 787 maunds, an increase of 106 maunds for the ½ acre. This plot was well irrigated and manured. It
is an excellent green fodder plant and much appreciated by the horses. It is also grown in ridges.
Impey.
The area under cultivation was 17 bighas (3-f acres).
Four bighas were put down on the 20th
March, and 13 as a Kharif crop. The outturn was very good being 609 maunds 13 seers 'Charrie' or green
stuff from the March sowing, (five cuttings were obtained from this plot, and after each cutting the growth