13
The military department have asked for 200 siege train bullocks to be
supplied yearly, but with the increased demand for stud bulls it is not possible
at present to meet this indent fully.
The difficulty of obtaining suitable mules for mountain batteries is, I
believe, as great as ever, and no doubt the military department would take as
many animals as the farm can produce, but with the present establishment it
is impossible to increase the number of mares for mule-breeding. The demand
for mules creates a similar demand for donkey stallions, and last year a record
number of these animals were issued, and the indents for this year are likely to
exceed largely the number of animals available.
6. The years of scarcity have resulted in comparatively cheap labour
and many improvements, especially as regards the cultivation, have been carried
out, and provided there is a normal supply of canal water and the rains do not
again fail, it is hoped to save sufficient fodder to put the farm into a safe position
as regards the next period of scarcity.
7. As regards contagious disease, during the past year the farm has
been unusually fortunate except for foot and mouth disease which invaded
the herds twice during the cold weather.
The following contagious diseases occurred :—
Hæmorrhagic septicæmia.
(1) Hæmorrhagic septicæmia broke out in the rains in the Chaoni Bir.
The disease occurred only towards the close of long breaks
in the rains. The occurrence of a good shower (unfor-
tunately of rare occurrence last year) appeared sufficient
to stop the disease.
In my opinion many parts of the Bir adjacent to the canal are con-
taminated with the organism of hæmorrhagic septicæmia, and after long
breaks in the rains when puddles of water are almost dried up, the organism is
present in sufficient quantities to form a fatal dose for any susceptible animal
drinking ; whereas a good fall of rain dilutes the bacilli sufficiently to render
them innocuous, The same theory is applicable to outbreaks occurring here
in the dry season as the result of floods and leakages, from the canal. The
organism is probably normally present in the canal water, in a state of dilution
so high as to be innocuous, but as the puddles formed, by over-flows, etc., dry up,
a suitable temperature for reproduction of the organism is produced and also
the volume of water is lessened by evaporation, with the result that any animal
drinking from such a puddle contracts hæmorrhagic septicæmia. Probably
the policy inaugurated last year of preventing canal leakage as far as possible,
and preventing access of cattle to low-lying areas liable to receive over-flows,
has contributed to our immunity from the disease except in the rains. The
disease caused 5 deaths as against 32 last year.
Black-quarter.
(2) Black-quarter was responsible for 12 deaths as
against 6 last year.
Strangles.
(3) Strangles. — Mild outbreaks only have occurred,
causing no deaths.
Navel III.
(4) Navel Ill still occurs, and with the large number of births and
the limited staff on the farm, it is almost impossible com-
pletely to eradicate it.
Foot aud mouth disease.
(5) Foot and mouth disease, as regards deaths, has been a contribu-
tory cause only, but in combination with the grass famine
has had serious effects in retarding growth and develop-
ment.
The quinquennial valu-
ation committee.
8. The quinquennial valuation committee met at the close of the
year, to value stock, machinery, stores, articles, land
buildings, etc. As will be seen by table No. XVI, the
committee's deliberations have resulted, combined with
increased numbers of stock, in the additions of 1½ lakhs of rupees to the value
of live-stock alone.