15
One of the stallions "Calcutta" is now 20 years of age, and it is
feared that he will soon become past work.
Donkey colts.
Donkey colts.—The details of their sales were:—
Supplied to Civil Veterinary Department,
Punjab...
Supplied to North-West Frontier Province
......
Sold to Native States
...
......
8
5
7
18
Donkey mares.
Donkey mares.—The percentage of foalings was 70.89. These figures
are highly satisfactory taking into consideration the fact
that the average period of gestation is 13 months. Forty-
five donkey mares have been examined and found in foal.
Sheep.
Sheep.-The sheep have on the whole done well this year; the large
number of casualties among lambs was due to the in-
clement weather combined with poor grazing during
January and February when most of the lambs were born.
The experiment of mating a pure bred merino ram with half bred ewes
looks like being very successful; a large portion of the lambs have wool
almost equal in quality to pure merino, and up to the present they are doing
well.
There appears to be a readiness among Indian sheep owners to ex-
periment with cross bred merino rams from the farm, and it is hoped in time
to create a regular demand. There is no doubt that the wool of the country
sheep can be improved by crossing with the merino, and if sheep owners can
be induced to persevere with the use of improved farm-bred rams, they will
add considerably to the pecuniary value of their flocks.
Cultivation.
10. Cultivation.—In spite of the small rainfall and poor supply of canal
water available during June, unusually large supplies of
fodder were sown. That this was possible was due to the
fact that labour was comparatively cheap and plentiful, enabling large areas of
commanded land to be got under cultivation.
For the same reasons it was found possible to continue the work of
improving the cultivated lands by jungle clearance, protection by thorn
fencing, making water-courses and levelling.
Much more work of this kind could be carried out in these years of
scarcity, were it not for the fact that much of the extra labour obtainable
is always occupied with the work involved in stall feeding the stock. Fodder
for this purpose had often to be carted long distances, taking up the whole
time of the men, carts and bullocks employed.
Mr. MacCutchan, the Farm Bailiff, worked hard throughout the year
to meet the demands made on him for fodder.
Hospital.
11. Hospital. -During the year excluding the outbreaks of contagious
disease noted above the veterinary staff treated on an
average 54 cases daily, and performed 54 castrations. The
following veterinary assistants of the Punjab cadre were attached to the farm
for courses of training in practical work :—
Veterinary Assistant Ata Muhammed from 2nd January 1913 to 24th March
1913.
Veterinary Assistant Faiz Ali from 11th March 1913.
The training of these men involved some additional work, but as a set-
off to this the farm had the benefit of their services and in many ways they
were able to make themselves useful. The work of Veterinary Assistants
Ghulam Hussain and Muhammad Ashfaq was as usual very satisfactory.
General.
12. General.—The year has again been a very anxious one for the
whole staff. Much credit is due to the Farm Overseer,
Captain R. Morris, for hard work throughout the year.
The work of the clerical staff has been satisfactory.