53
General.
I endeavoured during the year to obtain some seeds of the Tagasasti fodder plant from
Australia for trial, but failed. I hope, however, to do so next year. From all accounts it
should prove invaluable during the dry hot months. The mud walls used as fences prove a
constant source of trouble and outlay, needing continual watching and repairs. We have tried
for years past to substitute hedges for them without success. Aloes, bhir, koorkapilly, etc.,
have all failed. During next rains I intend to try the common wild rose. I have arranged to
get cuttings from Dehra, and if I succeed, we should have in a few years an impenetrable
fence requiring little attention round No 11 Paddock. The farming operations for 1893-94
have proved successful. Losing as we did the services of Mr. Burke as overseer during the
year, and having in his place an inexperienced young man, there were certain difficulties to
contend with. I have, however, much pleasure in reporting that Mr. Vaz, the new Overseer,
carried out his duties efficiently, making up for want of experience by his zeal and industry.
Table XVIII shows the number of horses and mares belonging to the farm, giving
the increase by purchase, etc., and the decrease by sales, etc. The stallions, although we have
not lost on them, have not been of much use to us on the farm, as by the time we had got
them into condition and broken them in for the pumps, plough, etc., they were sold; so we
got little work out of them. Both the horse and pony mares have more than earned their
keep, as they have practically done all the labour on the farm. They have been very un-
fortunate in their foaling. When covered they were in full season, and those who subsequent-
ly showed any symptoms of œstrum were put to the horse or donkey again. Yet, in spite
of every precaution, the results have been terribly disappointing. The only reason I can
suggest for their going empty is that, living as they do. in the same paddock as the stallions,
they are constantly within sight, smell and hearing of them. This must of course produce
erotic desires, and as a result abortion in the early stages of pregnancy, when it would pass
unnoticed. One mare having aborted, others (living together as they do) would follow. If
we had had 250 acres of land originally promised for the Instruction Farm outside the depôt,
we should have built our sheds for brood-animals there, away from the stallions altogether.
Casualty roll.
As will be seen from Table XIX, the casualties amongst adult animals were very few.
We have in fact been singularly free from diseases affecting the digestive organs, such as
colic. Accidents too have been rare, galls not numerous, and nearly every case due to the
incorrigible carelessness of the native establishment.
Sale roll.
Table XX gives a return of the animals disposed of during the year. The stallions sold
for stud purposes have turned out well, and I have had no complaints about them. The
mares have been disposed of for vice or unsuitability for farm work from impetuousness, etc.
Technical
classes.
These were held in the months of August and December. Reports on them have already
been submitted, and I would suggest that the December class be abolished and a ten-days
class be given in August. In the latter month farming operations are in full swing and
demonstrations are much more easily given. In December the kharif is cut, the rabi hardly up,
and everything looks at its worst. In addition both Superintendents and Overseers feel it
rather a grievance to lose the Christmas holidays.
Primers pub-
lished and dis-
tributed.
(1). Memorandum on mule-breeding by J. H. B.
Hallen.
(2). Memorandum on Pony-breeding by J. H. B.
Hallen.
(3). Memorandum on establishing of a Run for
young Horses by J. H. B. Hallen.
(4). Memorandum on Management and Treat-
ment of Brood-Mares and Stock by Veterinary Cap-
tain Rayment.
(5). Memorandum on Water-lifting and Agricul-
tural Work by Horse and Mare Power by J. H. B.
Hallen.
No fresh primers have been published during the year under report. I have compiled
a short memorandum on the care of the foot,
which has been approved by the Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary Department; but the translation,
etc., has not been completed. I purchased during
the year, on behalf of the North-Western Provinces
Government, primers as detailed on the margin,
which I have been distributing gratis to mare
owners at the various fairs and shows. A certain
number of Mr. Burke's work on the grain and
fodder crops of the North-Western Provinces,
with hints for feeding, have also been given away to zemindars.
346. The Superintendent, North Punjab, reports as follows:—
Table XVII (a) is the balance sheet of the Punjab portion of the Instruction Farm.
The total receipts of the year amount to Rs. 18,126-0-4, and the total expenditure to Rs.
17,595-14-11, leaving a profit of Rs. 530-1-5, which I consider rather small and due to the fact
that the establishment, etc., maintained is out of proportion to the land under cultivation.
Farm animals.
Table XVIII shows the farm animals—
(a) Horse stallions.—The sanctioned strength of horse stallions is 5. During the year
5 were received to replace those sold to District Boards. I am, however, not in
favor of this system of supplying stallions to district Boards through the In-
struction Farm; whilst in the depôt these stallions are of little value as farm
animals, and if any happen to die the whole loss would fall on the Instruction
Farm.
(b) Donkey stallions.—One donkey stallion was sold to the Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment for Rs. 200 from the farm.
(c) Mares.—Of the ten mares shown on the register on the 1st April 1893, one was
returned to the Remount Department, having been found unsuitable for farm
work, and another No. 14 "Nagin" was considered unsafe for slow draught work.
This mare was advertised for sale during the year under report and has since
been sold for Rs. 500. The remaining 8 mares were covered by Imperial
stallions, and I am glad to be able to report that 4 proved in foal, one having