2
The number of animals treated at the hospitals of the Province totalled
291,985, a decline of 70,000 compared with the preceding year. As in so many
other branches of the administration, the influenza epidemic was mainly
responsible for this diminished outturn of work. An important feature
of the year was the inauguration of six Cattle Insurance Societies in the
Jullundur and Rohtak Districts and the deputation of a Veterinary Assistant
to assist in the promotion of such societies elsewhere in the Province. The
movement is one which will require careful handling in its early stages, but
which, should success be achieved, is likely to prove of incalculable benefit to
the agriculturists and stock breeders of the Province.
6. The number of stud bulls working in the Province has increased
by 175 to 1,265 and 200 bulls were sent out from the Government Cattle
Farm at Hissar during the year, A scheme for subsidising selected owners
of Dhanni bulls was approved by Government during the year. Some progress
has been made in the popularisation of three quarter and half-bred merino
rams, the Hissar Farm having supplied 165 rams, all but one of which were
taken by private breeders. His Honour thinks that more might be done by
District Boards in helping to popularise the introduction of merino blood,
which has resulted in a marked improvement of the wool, whenever it has
been possible to ensure a systematic use of the rams.
7. The Hissar Cattle Farm enjoyed a healthy and prosperous year.
Large sales of stock at high prices, especially to the Brazilian Government,
realised the record sum of Rs 1,34,787, while the profit and loss account showed
a satisfactory surplus of Rs. 11,534 on the year's working. The rainfall though
seasonable was scanty, resulting in a dearth of fodder but comparative immunity
from disease. The only contagious diseases that gave trouble were black-
quarter, rinderpest and foot and mouth disease, and the Lieutenant-Governor
acknowledges the careful management to which Colonel Farmer attributes the
diminishing losses caused by outbreaks of contagious disease on the Farm.
Stall feeding had to be resorted to, to a large extent, owing partly to the lack
of fodder and partly to other causes and the foresight with which substantial
additions were made to the fodder reserve in the preceding year was thus
amply justified by even's. The question of fodder storage is one that affects
the whole Province, and His Honour hopes that some progress in this direction
may result from the investigations of the committee which the Government of
India is about to assemble to consider the matter. Five more Arab mares and
one stallion were purchased at the close of the year and it is hoped in course of
time to provide the Province from the farm with all the Arab stallions it
requires.
8. The Veterinary Department had carried on its work throughout
the year with a staff even more depleted than before and an extra strain has
undoubtedly been thrown upon all its members from the Chief Superintendent
downwards. Colonel Farmer and his assistants have not failed to respond
readily to the additional calls made upon them and the Lieutenant-Governor
desires to express his appreciation of the efficient manner in which the work
of the department has been discharged.
1144ICS—878—10-9-19-SGPP Lahore.