11
Services of stallions.—
Table XI.
36. Two hundred and thirty-six mares were covered by horse stallions
and 3,384 by pony stallions during the year under report,
an average of 47 and 54 respectively. The total number of
mares covered by the donkey stallions was 3,171, the average being 45 per
stallion.
Feed and keep of stallions.
—Table XII,
37. The average cost of feed and keep of stallions for the year was
Rs. 315 per horse, Rs. 339 per pony and Rs. 189 per donkey.
This is less than in 1908-09. The comparatively low cost
of maintenance of the horse stallions is due to their being in districts where fodder
is cheap.
SECTION 3.—FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Fairs and shows.—Tables
XIII, XIV and XIV A.
38. The necessary statistics in regard to fairs and shows as received from
districts are given in tables XIII and XIV. According to
the figures supplied by the Accountant-General, Punjab
Rs. 50,000 were spent by Local Bodies on these meetings. The Government
contributions amounted to Rs. 2,240.
Horse shows in non-select¬
ed districts.—Table XIV.
39. During the year under report, horse shows were held in 6 districts.
Imperial prizes and medals were allotted for the shows at
Karnal, Ambala and Gurdaspur. The Delhi horse show
had to be abandoned on account of the prevalence of plague in that district.
Cattle fairs and shows.—
Table XIV.
40. Cattle fairs were held in 15 districts. Medals from provincial funds
were given at the Gurdaspur, Gujrat and Talagang
shows. Most of the shows were attended by the officers of
this department who assisted the Judging Committees.
Camel shows .—Table
XIV.
41. During the year under report, at the suggestion of the Military
Department, which has made funds available for prizes, camel
shows have been introduced in the districts of Attock, Mont-
gomery, Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan, and it is hoped that in time they will
prove a success. Owing to the notice given being very short, there was not
much competition this year in the various classes.
SECTION 4.—OTHER BREEDING OPERATIONS.
Merino rams.
42. The 25 merino rams sanctioned for the Kangra district arrived at
Pathankot on the 21st November, 1909. They were examined
by Major Walker and then despatched to their destina-
tion. Out of 25, one died at the railway station, and two have since died from
natural causes. Major Walker said that they were excellent animals and he has
addressed the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra in regard to breeding from
them on Mendelian principles, with a view to getting the best results from the
experiments. There can be no doubt that a permanent improvement in the
quality of the fleece of the indigenous sheep can be established by means of
judicious crossing with the merino.
Llamas.
43. It has been suggested that llamas might be usefully imported as
baggage animals on the Central Asian trade routes, as much
inconvenience is felt there at present. Enquiries are being
made from Peru as regards the source and means of supply.
Part IV.—Subordinate establishment.
Numerical strength.—
Table VII.
44. The sanctioned strength of the subordinate establishment as it
stood on the 31st March, 1910 was 147 men as detailed
below:—
Veterinary inspectors ...
Veterinary assistants, 1st grade
Veterinary assistants, 2nd grade
Veterinary assistants, 3rd grade
Reserves … … …
...
…
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
12
25
52
52
6
147