2
Veterinary hospitals.
5. Steady progress is being made in providing suitable buildings for
veterinary hospitals. The gift of a hospital at Bhiwani by
Lala Tara Chand deserves acknowledgment, and is a gratify-
ing indication of the growth of popular interest. Further efforts will be made
to remove the difficulties in the way of providing better hospitals at Amritsar and
Murree. The Simla veterinary hospital again shows a net profit. The equipment
of all the hospitals is excellent.
Cattle-breeding.
6. The number of public bulls has advanced in 6 years from 242
to 472 but varies greatly from district to district. This
is due partly to differences in the keenness of District
Boards, and partly to variations in the demand for bulls. In some districts
it is easy to arrange for the free maintenance of stud bulls. In others,
this is practically impossible. The subject of cattle breeding and of the
cattle trade is one that has hitherto never been investigated thoroughly,
but, last year, a systematic enquiry was initiated in every district, and
Mr. Stow, C. S., was placed on special duty to co-ordinate the district reports and
prepare a provincial report. His preliminary conclusions were discussed with
me and with officers of the Veterinary Department at an informal meeting held
in Lahore last April. His report is expected in the autumn and it should have
far reaching results on cattle-breeding in the Province.
Other breeding.
7. The last cattle census showed a substantial increase of 26 per cent. in
the number of horses and ponies in the quinquennium.
This has led to the addition of a few stallions to the Pro-
vincial scale. The shortage in the supply of donkey stallions at the Hissar
Cattle Farm is to be regretted. Mule-breeding is of such importance in the
Punjab that every effort should be made to complete our cadre. Two camel
stallions were presented by Government to the Townsend Agricultural Society in
Hissar which is interesting itself in cattle and camel breeding. The course of
the experiment with merino rams in Kangra will be watched carefully by the
Department. The introduction of camel shows in four districts should be noticed.
District cattle surveys.
8. Major Walker completed his cattle survey of the Amritsar District
and his interesting and valuable report has just been pub-
lished. The cattle surveys of Hissar and Jhelum will be
finished next winter.
General.
9. There is ample outside evidence that the Department is gaining
steadily in popularity. The efficiency of the subordinate
staff is increasing. With the recent advance in the prices
of all stock, the people are compelled to give more thought to the breeding and
care of their cattle, and they are accordingly evincing more readiness to invoke
skilled assistance. The established success of the serum against rinderpest has
made a very favourable impression. When a veterinary assistant is capable,
keen and obliging, he has usually no difficulty in filling his hospital. It follows
that cases in which veterinary assistants do not succeed in making their
hospitals popular should be made the subject of close enquiry. One of the most
important matters at present is the training of veterinary inspectors to relieve
the superintendents of much routine supervision and give them more freedom.
for work in the field.
Special grant to District
Boards
for
veterinary
matters.
10. The continuance by the Provincial Government of the annual grant
of a lakh to District Boards for veterinary development for
another five years is gratefully acknowledged. This will
permit of the completion of the building programme and
will provide funds for giving effect to Mr. Stow's recommendations for the im-
provement of cattle breeding.
Notice of officers.
11. The year has been mainly devoted to the training of the staff, and
Major Walker is to be congratulated on the continued steady
advance. He has been ably assisted by Messrs Woodley,
Taylor and Carless, all of whom show the greatest keenness in their work. I am
particularly indebted to Major Walker for his interesting section at the Industrial
and Agricultural Exhibition.
W. C. RENOUF,
July 14th, 1910.
Director of Agriculture, Punjab.