(7)
It has been noticed that much better results can be obtained by officers of the
department personally visiting the breeding centres and encouraging and instruct-
ing the breeders.
57. The Civil Veterinary department has proposed the giving of advances
for the purchase of good cows where persons are in need of this concession, and
instructions have been circulated for the proper care and management of
breeding stock, and the rearing of young calves. In order to bring about
intelligent selection in regard to the mating of the cattle, and careful methods
of management, a scheme has been introduced for the local award of prizes for
the best specimens of calves bred from cows of good type and sired by Govern-
ment bulls. Due notice has been given of the dates from which these awards
will commence, in order to allow intending breeders sufficient time to obtain
likely cows for the purpose.
IV.—Subordinate Establishment.
Numbers, supervision and work performed.
See table VII.
58. The strength of the subordinate veterinary establishment as it stood
on the 31st March, was as follows:—Veterinary inspectors 16, farm and dépôt
oversees 4, veterinary assistants employed in districts 132, veterinary assist-
ants employed by municipalities 17, veterinary assistants deputed to Military
department 12, and veterinary assistants attached to head quarters staff (including
one at the Cawnpore Agricultural Farm) 8, or in all 189 against 185 last year,
making an increase of 4 only.
59. Owing however to the enormous demand for the services of veterinary
assistants for the war it is quite impossible to obtain anything like the number
required. In view of the scheme for the new settlement of the financial arrange-
ments for district boards the services of about 50 extra veterinary assistants
will be required. For the same reason the head quarters staff is also 8 officers
below its sanctioned strength, but it is hoped that on the completion of the war
we shall be able to fill some of the vacancies.
60. The veterinary inspectors did very useful work during the year and
were engaged in the inspection and checking of the work of veterinary assistants,
conducting inoculations and other measures to suppress outbreaks; in inspecting
and supervising the work connected with horse, cattle and sheep breeding and
inspection and care of stud sires. Cattle pounds, dairy sheds, etc., have been
visited by them. They visited 4,394 villages and attended 459 outbreaks. The
veterinary assistants attached to head quarters staff have been found to be of
the greatest assistance and in many cases they were the only means of relieving
district veterinary assistants when they proceeded on leave, and thus prevent
a locality from being left entirely without veterinary help. They conduct inocu-
lations and make special investigations and enquiries regarding disease, and
breeding operations, and are often deputed to obtain morbid material for research
purposes.
V.—Expenditure of the department.
See table
XIVA.
61. The cost of the department, according to the statement furnished by
the Accountant-General, is Rs. 1,57,200 against Rs. 1,61,133, being a decrease of
Rs. 3,933.
VI.—General remarks.
62. It is satisfactory to be able to report that in nearly every branch of
the work of the Civil Veterinary department very substantial progress is still
being made. Advancement in some directions has been somewhat retarded on
account of the war, more especially in regard to the provision of veterinary
assistants. I think we may claim that the department is steadily increasing in
efficiency, while the scope of its operations is rapidly extending. The chief
object is to be of direct and practical use to the agricultural and stock-owning
community, and it is gratifying to notice the growing confidence manifested by
all classes in the help extended to them. Increased attention is being paid to
the training of the staff, and the popularity of inoculation methods for the
prevention of contagious disease continues to grow. Cattle-breeding has made
great strides during the past year and horse-breeding continues to make steady
progress. Every endeavour is being made to increase the production of foals