15
50.2 against 52 last year. 64 donkeys covered 3,973 mares against 70 and
4,729, respectively, or 62 per cent. against 67.5 last year. Many of the donkeys
are old and should be replaced as soon as possible. Altogether the services
of stallions appear to have been best utilized in the Punjab, North-West
Frontier Province and United Provinces, where there is undoubtedly much
good to be done by maintaining stallions under District Boards or Provincial
Governments. As stated last year, these operations are conducted as cheaply as
possible, no unnecessary staff being maintained for the collection of statistics,
and the securing of the services of the animals is attended with as little trouble as
possible to the people. The Superintendent, North-West Frontier Province, is
now arranging to collect statistics of results. If this can be done with but little
extra work and no increase in establishment, no harm will be done, but I do not
consider it a step in the right direction. There can be no doubt whatever as to
the usefulness of the stallions in the districts and we shall not improve the results
by trying to estimate them accurately. If any proof be wanted, we may turn to
the results obtained by the Provincial stallions in the United Provinces, which
are reported to be as follows:—Out of 2,132 coverings by Provincial stallions
last year, the result of 385 is unknown; of the remainder—1,747 coverings—
853 were successful, 747 foals were born and 106 mares aborted. The average
of successful coverings was 48.87 of mares covered and 24.4 per cent. per
stallions against 51.5 and 26, respectively, last year.
90. Table XII gives the average cost of feed, keep and attendance of horse,
pony and donkey stallions. The manner of preparing this Table does not at
present seem very satisfactory, but efforts will be made to improve it next
year.
Fairs and Shows.
91. Table XIII gives particulars regarding the Horse Fairs and Shows
held in non-selected districts. 14 were held against 15 last year. The total
number of animals present was slightly less than last year. Of Rs 9,748 avail-
able, only Rs. 5,808 were awarded. Six medals were also given away.
92. Table XIV gives the abstract particulars regarding Cattle Fairs and
Shows. Altogether 64 were held during the year, excluding Sind and Raj-
putana, for which no returns were received. Rs. 6,218 from Imperial, Rs. 3,536
from Provincial, Rs. 12,240 from Local Funds and Rs. 1,783 from other
sources, or a total of Rs. 26,249 and medals were available as prizes, but only
Rs. 21,757 and 40 medals were distributed. Of the Government grant of Rs.
9,000 only Rs. 6,583 was expended.
93. The idea prevailing amongst most Superintendents appears to be that
Cattle Shows do but little good in the way of encouraging people to improve
the breeding of their cattle. I am inclined to agree that in many provinces
this is the case. Doubtless, when the Imperial officers have workable charges
and are able to get a more detailed knowledge of the tracts over which they
have charge, we shall be better able to decide where such Shows would be
beneficial. There can be no doubt whatever that in parts of certain provinces
much good is done by holding these gatherings. This is notably true of some
of the Shows held in the Madras Presidency where good stock is brought and
where bulls for breeding purposes can be obtained. The Government of Madras
have recognised the usefulness of these Shows and are desirous of awarding more
money in prizes and I am trying to meet their wishes by recommending them a
larger share of the Imperial grant of Rs. 9,000. I agree with the Superinten-
dents also regarding the grant of money prizes, etc., at purely Cattle Fairs
where animals are brought for sale in considerable numbers. These Fairs are
simply marts and require no encouragement as a rule in the way of money
prizes. Any available money would be much better utilized in improving the
conveniences for the security of stock, feeding, watering, etc.
IV.-SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
Numbers, super-
vision and work
performed.
94. Table VII gives the strength of the subordinate establishment. There
are at present 417 Veterinary Assistants and 30 Inspectors employed in the
whole of India and Burma against 383 and 25, respectively, last year. This
increase, considering the very limited supply of qualified men available and