8
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
contract was given to our former contractor at a decreased rate of 25 per
cent. In spite of the contractor's apprehensions, the necessary transport
arrangements, which comprised in addition to that of previous years
those of a large quantity of serum returned from Izatnagar, were executed
with greater despatch and facility than in any preceding year. The
decreased transport rates also affected advantageously the prices tendered
for the grain supplies delivered to the laboratory from Haldwani.
(f) Laboratory appliances and technical equipment. During both
years under report the budget grant of laboratory for " Purchase of
Chemicals and Apparatus " was heavily overspent, and payments were
effected by reappropriation from savings under other budget heads,
notably " Feed and Keep of Animals." The annual budget allotment for
this purpose, Rs. 30,000, had remained stationary from preceding years,
when the work undertaken at the laboratory consisted almost wholly
of routine serum and vaccine production. With the great increase in
the research activities of the laboratory and the advent of a number of
officers who were directed to devote almost their entire energies towards
research into animal disease, the consumption of glassware and other
laboratory apparatus and appliances increased tremendously, and if
it had not been possible to " carry " these officers upon savings effected
by scrupulous attention to economy elsewhere, much valuable informa-
tion now available regarding the diseases of live-stock in India would
not have been available. The most rigid scrutiny was also exercised
over " Store " issues, and thanks to the foresight of Mr. G. P. Goffi,
purchases of all stores consumed in considerable quantities were effected
after receiving quotations for the annual requirements from a number of
firms, and, finally, steps were taken to secure advantages by purchases
through the India Stores Department. Glassware for the despatch of
serum to the field took the same form as in the immediately preceding
years, but endeavours were made to procure supplies of more uniform and
presentable receptacles. Every effort was made to obtain our require-
ments from manufacturers in India, and in the case of small bottles and
ampoules we were well satisfied, but there is still great difficulty in obtain-
ing large supplies of test tubes and other wares which have to withstand
heat sterilization from glass manufacturers in this country. Expendi-
ture was also incurred in the purchase of material for the various classes
of officers admitted to the laboratory for systematic training, and, further,
certain pieces of larger apparatus, such as an experimental serum-drying
plant, were purchased to experiment on means for exploiting the
resources of the institution.
(g) Farm Cultivation and Dairy. The Muktesar station was visited
on 24th, April 1922, by the Imperial Agriculturist, Mr. G. S. Henderson,
and following upon a careful inspection of the resources of the laboratory
area a report was drawn up by him indicating the most profitable lines
upon which to develop the cultivable land and dairy for the benefit of
the station. Steps were subsequently taken to give full effect to his
recommendations. The most promising area for the commencement