MUKTESAR, FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31ST MARCH, 1925
9
and characteristics of certain disease conditions which he had had under close study for
some time at Muktesar. Primarily he was instructed to ascertain the frequency and
significance of bovine coccidiosis, notably as a possible serious complicating sequela
to rinderpest, and data in this connection were ascertained also from some important
herds which he submitted to the serum-simultaneous inoculation against rinderpest in
the Shillong district. He also made some valuable observations on bovine piroplas-
mosis, and collected material for study from a number of disease conditions.
Mr. J. R. Haddow was entrusted with the execution of the programme of manufac-
turing WORK and administration at the plains branch laboratory at Izatnagar, from the
end of October 1924. He remained in charge till the end of the financial year, when
arrangements were made for the continuous execution, throughout the year, of large
scale manufacturing work there, under his supervision, and for the agricultural develop-
ment of the estate. In March, he proceeded to the Imperial Cattle Breeding Farm,
Karnal, to commence the application of a special policy of active immunization against
rinderpest on the farm.
Mr. M. B. Menon, Officiating Second Veterinary Research Officer, was deputed on
tour from the 15th January 1925 and was still away from headquarters at the end of the
financial year. He first executed the programme of immunization against rinderpest
upon the whole of the cattle at the Allahabad Institute mentioned above, with complete
success, and was thus instrumental in restoring confidence after the set-back suffered
by the method as the result of the accidents that occurred there to some imported Ameri-
can bulls in the cold weather 1922-23. He next undertook the immunization by the
same method of the cattle at the Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, and the Impe-
rial Institute of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Bangalore and Wellington. At the
last named institution he was instructed to remain to carry out careful systematic tests
upon the cattle to ascertain the spread of Johne's disease among them.
The Engineer (Mr. W. Pryde Watson) proceeded to Lucknow on the 17th December
1924 to furnish details to the Electrical Inspector to the United Provinces Government
in preparing a fair project for a standby power set and renewal of the storage battery
at Muktesar. He inspected with him the steam plant available for sale at Government
House, Lucknow, proposed as the standby set. During his return journey he inspect-
ed the laboratory appliances at the branch institute at Izatnagar, and drew up schemes
for a water supply to the laboratory. He returned on the 23rd December.
II. Administration.
(a) Fodder and grain. The supply of hay sufficient to meet anticipated needs deli-
vered by a contractor to Muktesar was 23,916 maunds from outside areas (at Rs. 1-1-9
per maund) and 4,000 maunds (at Rs. 0-11-6 per maund) from the Reserved Forest of
the Institute. 741 maunds of bedding was collected at Rs. 0-6-0 per maund through
local labour. 12,202 maunds of grain were delivered by a contractor from Haldwani ;
this amount was in excess of the 7,040 maunds agreed upon in the terms of the contract,
the increase being due to the numbers of cattle subsequently retained at Muktesar for
researches into economic serum manufacture. There was no difficulty in obtaining the
desired supplies. Plans and estimates were drawn up by the Public Works Department
for more ample godown accommodation at Muktesar.
The Izatnagar requirements were supplied by a contractor who provided green dhoob
grass at 13 As. per maund, and dry dhoob at Rs. 1-6-0 per maund ; he also arranged to
supply the grain and miscellaneous requirements daily for consumption at the current
price rates of the Bareilly tehsil, with an addition of 4 As. per maund for carriage. In
this manner 3,860 maunds of grain and 10,258 maunds of fodder were supplied. In
addition, 1,129 maunds of gram and barley were received for consumption from the lease
holder of the cultivated land in the estate in lieu of rent, on the batai system. The
policy of leasing the land was terminated after the close of the year, and arrangements
made for the cultivation of as much as possible of the 700 acres appertaining to the estate
by the laboratory staff ; it is hoped in this manner to make the branch institute self-
supporting in the matter of feeding stuffs.
(b) Animal supplies. The number of animals purchased for routine manufacturing
and experimental work at Muktesar were 2,252 hill bulls, 77 hill buffaloes and 141 plains
buffaloes. In addition, 300 calves, with 56 cows, were purchased from various parts
of India for use at Muktesar in connection with the special tuberculosis enquiry, and of
these, 291 calves and 56 cows arrived alive. 129 hill bulls (as compared with 1,140 in
the preceding year) were despatched for use at Izatnagar ; after the close of the year the
policy of transferring bulls was abandoned altogether, and arrangements made for des¬