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cultivation. In addition to this, cases of Rinderpest and Foot and Mouth
disease have occurred. It is very satisfactory to observe that despite these draw-
backs, although the operations were rendered more expensive than they would
otherwise have been, the stock did not suffer and disease was not allowed to
make any great headway. The breeding herd consisted of 889 cows and 19
bulls, the number of calves born being only 480 against 620 last year, the
percentage is, however, satisfactory, the last year's results being somewhat
exceptional. Forty-five inferior old cows were weeded out of the herd and sold,
4 died and 2 were destroyed, whilst 111 heifers were added. The herd at the
close of the year therefore numbered 889 against 828 last year. The Superin-
tendent hopes to bring the herd up to 1,000 by the end of next year. There
were 817 young female stock present at the close of the year, and 661 male
stock. The herd is gradually improving and becoming more even year by
year and satisfactory weeding has been adopted during the year. We are
producing stock the like of which cannot be obtained in the open market.
131. Sixty-six Ordnance mules were supplied, and thirty-one bulls sold to
the Punjab for work in the districts. There has been considerable demand for
bulls from the Farm, for other parts of India, and applications have been
received for them from America and Jamaica. The bullocks supplied to the
army were so good that the Committee paid Rs. 130 each for them, or Rs. 10
more than has ever been paid before.
132. Mules.—There were 248 mules present on the 31st March 1905, nine
were born and 120 purchased in the districts, and 93 were issued to the service,
66 for Ordnance, 25 Maxim and 2 Transport. Eight were sold by public
auction as they grew too big and one too small. The balance on the 31st
March was 263 This is the first year that such a great number of Ordnance
mules has gone into the service.
133 Donkey Stallions.—There were 11 Donkey Stallions present on the
1st April 1905. Three were purchased and 1 transferred from donkey colts.
One died, 2 were sold to the Almora District, and 10 transferred to donkey
colts, having been wrongly shown last year, leaving 2 present at the end of the
year.
134. There are 62 donkey mares for donkey-breeding against 31 last year.
Of these, 30 have been obtained by purchase in the districts and two were
Farm bred. Twenty-one young donkeys were born during the year, of which
14 were colts and 7 fillies. The whole of the mares are doing well with the
exception of two, which are to be cast. There are 19 fillies against 11 last year,
7 by birth and 4 by purchase. The number of donkey colts present on the 1st
April, was 13. Fourteen were born during the year, 34 bought in the
districts, and 11 which had been erroneously shown as donkey stallions, were
transferred. Of these, three died, 8 were transferred to the Army Remount
Department, 5 sold to Punjab districts and 1 was transferred to donkey
stallions. The quality of the donkey stock is excellent, and the scheme for the
breeding of donkey-stallions a complete and thorough success. Good powerful
indigenous donkeys are being produced at a cheaper rate and in every way
more suitable to the requirements of the country, than Jacks from any other
part of the world. There is no doubt whatever that we can, in time, render
ourselves independent of foreign supply.
135. Zebras —Only two Zebras now remain on the Farm, one having been
destroyed. Of these only one has been induced to cover 6 donkey and 21
pony mares, but there have been no results so far. A few mares, however,
seem now to be in foal, and some expected to drop hybrids in May and June.
136. Sheep.—The proposed formation of an experimental breeding herd
of 300 ewes has not made very rapid progress so far. The flock at present
consists of only 59 head, of which 29 are ewes and 20 ewe lambs, the remainder
being male stock. Endeavours will be made to purchase the full number of
ewes as soon as possible. The reason why more rapid progress has not been
made, appears to be that the price laid down for ewes is, owing to the present
high price of wool, insufficient. The lambs sold at 6 months are fetching as
much as Rs. 2-12-0, and the wool was auctioned at Rs. 37 a maund. Two
Merino rams are being sent to Hissar for experimental breeding.