45
9. Though castration shows a considerable increase over last year, the
number of colts castrated is still unsatisfactory. Veterinary Assistants appear
to have neglected this part of their duty. Among 15 Veterinary Assistants
employed, only 19 colts were castrated—7 in Belgaum, 6 in Hyderabad, 2 in
Shikárpur, 3 in Surat, and 1 in Dhulia. The remarks made by the Superin-
tendent in para. 77 of the report should therefore be brought to the notice of
the Presidents of veterinary dispensary committees.
10. The number of donkey stallions rose from 24 to 26 ; for the one Persian
donkey stallion, bitten by a rabid dog and subsequently destroyed, three Italian
donkey stallions were added during the year. Of the total number of donkey
stallions, 14 are Italian, while only 3 are Arab. It would seem advisable to increase
the number of the latter class of stallions whenever casualties occur, as they have
been showing better work both in coverings and produce. The total number of
pony mares covered fell from 844 to 763 and the average per stallion from 41.99
to 34.96. The decline is confined to Sind and Cutch, the principal mule-breeding
division of the Presidency ; but its causes have not been explained. Both in the
Deccan and Gujarát mule-breeding is making slow but steady progress. In the
Deccan the number of mares covered rose from 45 to 59, and in Gujárát from 11
to 17. The average produce per stallion for the whole Presidency rose from
4.92 to 5.42, a result in no way more satisfactory than in horse-breeding. The
Commissariat Department purchased 51 transport mules as against 8 in the
previous year. With a view to encourage mule-breeding, recommendation was
made to the Government of India to the effect that the rule that mules should
not be purchased under three years of age should be reconsidered ; but the Gov-
ernment of India have declined to make any change in the rule.
11. The Superintendent branded in all 433 mares as against 868 in the
previous year, and attributes this falling off to his travelling in several new parts
of districts where branding is unknown.
12. The average cost of maintenance of each horse and pony stallion was
Rs. 357, that is Rs. 11 more than last year. The Superintendent ascribes this
rise to transfer and changes, but does not give any reason for the rise of Rs. 7
in the average cost of maintenance of each donkey stallion, which rose from
Rs. 279 to 286. When the charges for transit, &c., are shown separately next
year, it will be possible to know how far the cost is affected by d earness of fodder,
&c., or to expect some reasonable explanations; but under the present arrange-
ment such figures as Rs. 290 and Rs. 458, shown as cost of maintenance of a horse
and a pony stallion in the Sholápur district, are inexplicable.
13. The total expenditure of the Department amounted to Rs. 66,856 or
Rs. 6,275 more than in the previous year. This increase remains uncommented
on by the Superintendent. Show-prizes, the Superintendent's pay, purchase of
stallions, and cost of maintenance show considerable increases. Of the total
expenditure, Rs. 11,572 were debited to Local Funds.
14. The horse and cattle shows held in the Presidency are described by
the Superintendent, but as the report on each of these shows has been separately
submitted to Government and reviewed in this office, further comments are not
necessary.
15. Contagious and infectious diseases among cattle were prevalent more
or less in most of the districts of the Presidency. The Superintendent did not
receive any reports from Surat and Bijápur, though in these districts cattle
diseases were prevalent in July and August 1894 and February and March 1895,
and reports to that effect were received in this office. This fact lends support
to the doubt expressed by the Superintendent as to the correctness of the number
of animals attacked and died, reported to him. During the year the total num-
ber of animals, including those reported from Bijápur and Surat, reported to
have been attacked, amounted to 17,273, of which 10,014 died. The diseases
were chiefly rinderpest, anthrax, foot and mouth disease, and charbon symptoma-
tique. Only a small percentage of animals attacked and died was attributed to
other diseases. Of all the diseases, rinderpest was most prevalent, attacking
13,960 and killing 8,085 animals. Of all the districts Kánara suffered most,
Sholápur coming next.