(6)
Veterinary department has addressed district boards, and other public bodies
pointing out the improbability of any improvement in the situation for some years
to come, and urging upon them the importance of lending every encouragement
and help in the matter of horse-breeding by locating Government sires wherever
possible and advising owners to retain and reserve their best mares for breeding
purposes.
(ii) Donkey stallions.
See tables X
and XI.
47. At the commencement of the year there wore 17 provincial donkeys
on the register and three were purchased during the year. Two died thus leaving
a balance of 18. Of these 13 were at stud and the number of mares covered by
them amounted to 698 being an increase of 9.
Sheep-breeding.
48. The sheep-breeding experiments undertaken by this department during
the last few years with a view to improve the quality and quantity of the wool of
the indigenous sheep continue to be very encouraging and highly satisfactory.
The introduction of the Merino strain has been found to steadily have the desired
beneficial effect on the fleeces in point of their weight and all-round richness.
Experimental flocks of selected ewes are located at Lucknow, Moradabad, Kheri,
Muttra, Bundelkhand and Etawah.
49. Experiments have been carried out in regard to dipping of sheep and
a portable bath for this purpose kindly presented to the department by Messrs.
Cooper and Co., Sheep Dip Manufacturers has been of great service. The results
have proved that in India as well as in other countries judicious and periodical
dipping of sheep is of immense benefit to the fleoce as well as to the general health
of the animal.
50. There are a considerable amount of difficulties to bo surmounted in
order to carry out sheep-breeding successfully on improved lines. The mortality
of the imported stock is somewhat large owing to the extreme change of olimate,
the prevalonce of epizootics and parasitic diseases to which they are almost daily
exposed, and even the native sheep are not altogether immune to these scourges.
It is hoped however that the graded up progeny will acquire from the native
parent or grand-parent a degree of immunity to the effects of the climate and to
certain of the most dangerous sheep diseases.
61. The proper handling of sheep and wool including careful methods of
shearing, dipping, and packing of fleeces etc. is practically unknown to Indian
shepherds and great difficulty has been experienced in this direction. The condi-
tion in which wool is turned out makes a considerable difference to its value in
the market, and if we are to continue our experiments with a view to building up
the woollen industry this is one of the points which will necessitate some attention.
52. A further batch of 12 Merino rams has been received from Australia
this year and will shortly be put into stud work. A great demand for the half-
bred male stock for introducing into native flocks is beginning to arise. Sixty
young rams have already been issued and indents for a further 40 have been
received.
53. The original proposal to establish a sheep farm near Orai has for the
present been abandoned owing to shortage of staff but a strip of land is being
acquired adjacent to the Muttra cattle farm where the sheep run will temporarily
be maintained as it will have the advantage of being under the direct observation
of the farm officials.
Fares and Shows.
See talbe XIV.
54. Wherever possible fairs and shows were attended by officers of the
Civil Veterinary department and I was present and judged exhibits at the Bara
Banki fair. The Deputy Superintendent, M. Niaz Muhammad, was deputed to
Tigri, Etawah, and Nauchandi fairs and shows and in most of these fairs veterinary
instruments and remedies were exhibited.
55. Rupees one thousand three hundred and three were distributed as prize
awards at Tigri, Ballia, Bara Banki, Banda, Lucknow and Bulandshahr fairs.
56. In the past cattle shows have not on the whole proved successful in
these provinces, and very little improvement in breeds can be traced to them.