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The object of the farm is to produce the best bulls and jacks and there-
by to improve the breeding in the districts. If it were not for this, Govern-
ment would be unable to procure the number of bulls required for the districts
and the jacks would have to be purchased in Europe.
Outbreaks of contagious diseases have occurred during the year, and
owing to careful supervision and treatment the mortality has been small.
The present quasi-commercial system, of charging a nominal price for an
animal issued to the district boards in the Punjab, and a higher price for one
supplied to another province, prevents the farm from being self-supporting, and
the idea of running the farm on commercial lines should therefore be abandon-
ed.
The number of jacks issued is very creditable, and the indents for the
Punjab have been fully complied with.
Mules issued to the service during the year were a very fine lot. Mule-
breeding in Hissar is a great success, and the mules are admittedly the best bred
in India, The foalings during the year have been satisfactory.
Sheep breeding has progressed satisfactorily.
The revision of the farm establishment is now before the Government.
Mr. Branford has worked hard and deserves credit for his labours.
(B)—REPORT BY MR. BRANFORD, SUPERINTENDENT.
DURING the year under report the farm was in charge of Lieutenant-
Colonel Farmer from April 1st to June 8th, and under my charge for the
remainder of the year.
2. On the 1st of April 1912 the farm came under the administrative
control of the Punjab Government, consequent upon the abolition of the post of
Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department. The farm is now worked,
under the Chief Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Punjab, the
Superintendent in executive charge being in the same relation to the Chief
Superintendent and the Director of Agriculture and Industries, Punjab, Lahore,
as are the Superintendents, Civil Veterinary Department, in charge of North
and South Punjab Circles.
3. The farm is up to the present, still being run on the same lines as
when under Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department. Stock in the
shape of siege train bullocks, ordnance and transport mules, and donkey jacks
are being issued to the Army Department and stud bulls, donkey jacks and half-
bred merino rams to district boards, native states and private buyers. Every
endeavour is being made to. maintain the stock at the high level of excellence
reached while the farm was controlled by the Inspector-General, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, and in this connection it is of advantage that the farm is
under the supervision of its late superintendent and still reaps the result of
his experience.
4. The year under report has been mainly remarkable, in that for the
second year in succession, this district had to face a partial failure of the rains,
with the result that good grazing was only available in the Bir during the
autumn months. It was impossible to save more than a few 1,000 maunds of
hay, and the barani crop was a failure.
Owing to the poor grazing it has again been necessary to stall feed large
numbers of stock. As will be seen from the table showing results of the farm
cultivation, a very large supply of fodder has been grown and fed to the cattle,
and up to the present it has been found possible to maintain the whole herd of
stock in health. But the absence of grazing has had one inevitable result; many
of the young stock have been retarded in their growth, and will not be ready
for issue so early as usual. This is not to be wondered at, as it is largely due
to the magnificient quality of the grasses of this district and of this Bir in
particular, that the cattle of this district and specially of this farm owe their
pre-eminence among the draught cattle of India.
5. Apart from the grass famine the year has been a successful one.
The demand for all classes of stock issued from the farm appears to be on the
increase.