9
Part III—Breeding Operations.
(1).—BOVINES.
Stud bulls. Table VIII.
55. There were 255 stud bulls at work in the Districts at the close of
last year, 42 of which were reported to be the property of
Government, and 213 the property of Local Bodies. As a
matter of fact all the stud bulls in this Province are the property of Local
Bodies. Those bulls hitherto shown by Districts as being the property of
Government were presented to them in the past and Government has no claim
on them. To prevent misunderstanding all the bulls are shown this year
as being the property of Local Bodies. During the year under report there were
140 additions and 39 casualties, leaving a balance of 356 on the 31st March 1907.
The casualties were mainly among the old and useless animals.
Supply and care of bulls.
56. With the assistance of the grant from Government for veterinary
improvements Districts have been able to purchase a larger
number of bulls than usual, and it is hoped that, in future,
each District will be able to purchase one bull for each Tahsil each year. This is
part of the programme for the expenditure of the grant and cattle breeding in the
Punjab should profit accordingly. Indents for 115 bulls were received and 98 were
supplied from Hissar. It is a matter for congratulation that the Hissar Cattle
Farm was able this year to supply us with so many bulls. They were on the whole
a very good lot and they are very suitable for the Districts to which they were
supplied. Some bulls were obtained by Districts in the open market but suitable
bulls are difficult to obtain in this way. More bulls of the "Dhunni" breed would
have been purchased by some of the Districts, had a sufficient number been
obtainable. In some Districts the problem of the best way of maintaining bulls
in good condition is a difficult one but, where possible, the system of turning bulls
out to be kept up by the public answers very well. Districts have been asked
to keep up a proper register of bulls in future and to keep this Department
informed of changes to facilitate inspection.
Sargodha Bull Farm.
57. The scheme for a Bull run at Sargodha has not progressed very
far as the question of acquiring the grazing on the Dhrema
and Risala Rakhs, and a portion of the former for culti-
vation is still under the consideration of Government. It has been found that
a part of the Dhrema Rakh can be irrigated, and it is proposed, therefore, to have
the cultivation and the farm buildings there instead of on the original site
selected.
(2). Equines (under Local Bodies).
Number of horse and
pony stallions in non-
selected Districts. Table X.
58. At the close of the year under report there were 5 horse and 60 pony
stallions in the non-selected Districts. The Hoshiarpur and
Mianwali Districts were each one stallion over strength at
the end of the year owing to a condemned animal in each not
having been disposed of.
During the year 1 horse (Arab) and 7 ponies (Arab) were purchased by
the Purchasing Committee in Bombay through the Inspector-General, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, and one country bred was purchased locally for the Mianwali
District. One horse in the Muzaffargarh District was sold to the Army Remount
Department and 2 ponies in the Montgomery District were cast. The standard
scale for the Mianwali District has been raised by one pony and one donkey
stallion and that of the Delhi District by one donkey.
Number of donkey stal-
lions in non-selected Dis-
tricts. Table X.
59. At the close of last year there were 54 donkey stallions in the
Districts. During the year 5 donkeys were received from
Hissar and one had still to be taken over by Mianwali
District. There were 11 casualties during the year. The
present number (48) is 22 short of the standard scale, and
some of those still at work have been condemned for replacement. It is hoped
that a sufficient number of good Jacks will be supplied as soon as possible, and it
is understood that an officer has been deputed to Europe to make the necessary
purchases.