12
(c) Equine contagious abortion—Is still the cause of serious loss.
Seven pony mares aborted, probably all owing to infection
by the disease, as against 6 pony mares last year. Curiously
no donkey mares aborted. Donkeys here appear to possess
some degree of immunity against the disease, although in other
parts of India I believe donkeys have proved very susceptible.
Since this disease started on the farm in 1914 only 6 donkey
mares have aborted, and 169 full-time foals have been born.
(d) Foot and mouth disease : Gave no trouble till the close of the
year, but occurred with unusual virulence in March all over
the farm. One animal died of the disease. Many lost condi-
tion to a serious extent, and many will be left with more or
less serious deformities of the feet.
(e) Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.—An outbreak of this disease occurr.
ed among the young stock heifers at Kherwan in September.
The outbreak occurred under exactly similar weather condi-
tions to that of September 1914 when 57 calves were lost from
the disease, i.e., heavy rain following a fairly prolonged break
in the rains. Long grass in low-lying areas begins to dry up
and is trodden down by stock during the break ; heavy rain
then fills the area with stagnant water, and, probably when
heated in the sun, the result is a suitable medium for the rapid
growth of the H. S. bacillus.
Eighteen animals died of the disease as against none last year.
(f) Navel ill—Gave no trouble, partly owing to efficient precau-
tions, partly owing to the low birth-rate during the year,
Farm stock during the year.
7. Table XVI shows the changes in Farm stock during the year. The
following details are of interest : —
Herd bulls.—The 10 animals entered last year did well. Two were
entered during the year. Two were sold, both to private breeders in the
Punjab, one a 7-year old for Rs. 800—a record price for the farm for a bull sold
to remain in India.
Supernumerary bulls.—The following were issued :—
To Punjab District Boards
To Delhi Province
To Lahore Central Jail
To Private breeders
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
201
4
0
2
The number issued to Punjab District Boards is a big advance on the
previous record (181 last year), and represents about the maximum capacity of
the farm to issue under existing conditions.
Male produce.—This herd did not have such a good year as other stock ;
the area reserved for them was never exceptionally good grazing, and they
suffered severely from foot and mouth disease at the close of the year.
Six were sold to private breeders.
Two were sold to the Nepal State (One Sahiwal breed).
One was sold to the Military Dairy Farm, Jubbulpore.
One was sold to the Mona Army Remount Depôt.
One was sold to the Delhi Province.
Cows—Have done exceptionally well, and, at the end of the year wert
well worth seeing. Only a very small percentage calved during the year, bu-
-n March nearly all were in calf.
The small number of calvings was due to the fodder famine of 1915-16 ;
unless grazing is available to get them into condition the farm cows will not
breed. The same phenomenon was very noticeable among the herds of black
buck in the Bir and its neighbourhood. Fawns between the hot weather of
1915 to the autumn of 1916 were very rare ; enormous numbers were born in
the late autumn of 1916.