Proceedings of the Hon ble the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, in the Revenue and Agricultural (General)
Department, No. 703 S., dated 28th July 1900.
READ—
Letter No. 1385, dated 13th July 1900, from the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Punjab,
being the Annual Provincial Report of the Civil Veterinary Department for the year
1899-1900.
REMARKS—There was a decrease of 4 in the number of horse stallions
owned by District Boards as compared with the previous year. The reduction
occurred in the districts of the Delhi Division, which, however, still contains a
larger number of horse stallions than any other Division. On the other hand,
the number of pony stallions increased by 4. With reference to the remarks
made in paragraph 2 of last year's Review, it would appear that the pony
stallion is losing none of its popularity among the agricultural classes. Although
the number of pony stallions is more than double the number of horse stallions,
the average number of mares covered by the former in the North Punjab is only
one less per stallion than the number covered by horse stallions. In the South
Punjab the average number of mares covered by pony stallions is slightly less.
The Superintendents of the North and South Punjab are unanimous in the
importance which they attach to the work done by the District Board pony stallions.
It is curious to observe that whereas in the North Punjab the general average of
mares covered has largely decreased, in the South Punjab the numbers have gone
up, but while the average per stallion is now nearly the same in each, the average
per pony stallion continues to be less in the Southern Circle than in the Northern.
In spite of the prevailing scarcity the cost of feed and keep of stallions was,
except in the single case of donkeys in the South Punjab, less than in 1897-98,
and also, in the North Punjab, less than in 1896-97.
2. The Lieutenant-Governor is pleased to observe that in accordance
with the remarks made in paragraph 3 of last year's Review, the Director has
taken steps to ensure that more attention shall be devoted to the treatment of
brood mares.
3. The number of donkey stallions owned by District Boards has de-
creased by one. As a result of the recommendations of the Transport Com-
mittee and in accordance with a joint scheme drawn up by the Director of
Land Records and Agriculture and the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary
Department, His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor has recently recommended to
the Government of India that 30 donkey stallions should be purchased from
Imperial Funds at a total cost of Rs. 12,000 for employment in the manner
indicated in paragraph 6 of the Report. If the Government of India sanction
the scheme, the donkeys then purchased will be maintained at the expense of
Local Funds. His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor is pleased to observe that the
local bodies have so well responded to the appeal which was made to them for
financial assistance and have offered to maintain a total number of 30 donkey
stallions. It is hoped that local bodies, which are now incapable of incurring
this expenditure owing to want of funds, will in the course of time be able
to undertake the maintenance of stallions, as the improvement of military
transport to which the Government of India attach great importance is thereby
likely to be advanced. It is satisfactory to notice in this connection that the
scheme of placing Imperial donkey stallions in the hands of zamíndárs has
been so favourably reported on by the Superintendent, South Punjab.
4. The total number of deaths reported from cattle disease was 16,510
against 9,092 last year. Rinderpest was the cause of 11,723 deaths as compared
with 3,671 in 1898-99, and the former figure does not include the returns for
several districts which suffered severely from this disease. The orders of
the Supreme Government on the scheme for the reorganization of the Sub-
ordinate Veterinary establishment have now been received. The increase in the
number of deaths from disease again emphasizes the importance of putting this
establishment in a position to cope with a sudden outbreak of cattle disease.
The progress made in inoculation for rinderpest is satisfactory.