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several different diseases have been entered upon which would have been
next to impossible to conduct in the central Laboratory in the hills.
Further, under the scheme for the training of Veterinary Assistants, arrange-
ments had been made to give instructions to 20 assistants each month. During
the year under report two courses were held at Bareilly, but only 27 Veterinary
Assistants presented themselves for training, probably owing to the Delhi
Durbar and the post-graduate course held at Lahore.
76. Fodder Supply.—The arrangements for the supply of fodder at
Muktesar remained the same as during the past year. The collection of grass
was made from the neighbouring forests up to the radius of 8 to 10 miles from
the Laboratory. In addition, a considerable amount of fodder was obtained
from areas placed under cultivation in the Nursery Garden and the Laboratory
forest. The work of opening up fresh ground for the ultimate production of
grass and fodder has been continued and it is hoped that this year a material
increase in the supply of fodder in one form or another may be forthcoming.
77. Forest.—The arrangements for managing the Laboratory forest
were satisfactory and it was successfully protected against fire. No illicit
fellings or other damages were reported. The blank spaces planted with young
Deodars and others sown with oak in previous years did not shew promising
results, for the majority of the former died and the latter failed to germinate.
During the past rainy season a small area in compartment No. 14 was planted
with Deodar on the higher ground, while oak was sown in situ on the lower
elevations of the same compartment, following the directions as laid down in
paragraph 50 of the Working Plan for the Muktesar Reserved Forest. The
natural reproduction of trees in blank spaces fit for planting, free from the
grazing rights of villagers, is establishing itself and making good progress.
During the year under review, arrangements were made with the Deputy Com-
missioner, Almora, for the utilization of surplus material available to be conver-
ted into charcoal and from this source a royalty of R119-5-3 was collected.
78. Meteorological Observations.—These observations have been continued
as in previous years. The daily temperatures, barometric pressures, rain,
directions of wind and its velocity, etc., have been recorded three times daily,
and a copy of the same has been supplied monthly to the Meteorological
Department for record and reference.
79. Buildings.—The main Laboratory building is not yet quite complete,
most of the rooms that were ready have been occupied, but something remains
to be done with regard to the fitting and furnishing of some of the rooms.
Under the scheme sanctioned for the enlargement of the Imperial Bacterio-
logical Laboratory, no progress has been made up to the present with regard
to the construction of the required buildings, but recently the cutting and
clearing of a site for the engine shed has been taken in hand. The adminis-
trative sanction of Government to the above buildings was accorded in January
last and it is not known from what cause the delay in actual construction has
occurred.
80. Training of Veterinary Assistants.—During the year under report
one hundred and seven (107) Veterinary Assistants and graduates were trained
at Muktesar and Bareilly Laboratories and all passed. Of this number, Bengal
sent 21, United Provinces 32, Punjab 29, Baluchistan and North Western
Frontier Districts 4, Bombay and Sindh 5, Berar and Central Provinces 10,
Native States 3, and for Malay State 2. The course of instruction was the same
as in the last year and in each instance it lasted for a period of one month.
81. Staff and Establishment.—A second European Laboratory Assistant
Mr. David Keiller was added to the staff during the month of November.
Being quite inexperienced as to the work carried on in large research Labora-
tories he will be but of little value for some time to come as he will have to be
trained ab inilio.
It again gives me pleasure to be able to put on record my appreciation
of the hearty co-operation I received from the staff and establishment, which
entailed continuous work on Sundays and leave days.
ALFRED LINGARD, M.B., M.S., D.P.H., etc.,
The 27th May 1903.
Imperial Bacteriologist.