10
At the close of the year 40 men (2 Veterinary Inspectors and 38 Veteri
nary Assistants) of this Department were working in the Military Department.
There were four dismissals and one casualty during the year under report. Out
of 46 vacancies on 31st March 1917, 9 have since been filled up, and the re-
maining will also be filled up as soon as more recruits are available.
Part V.—Expenditure.
Expenditure—XIVA.
28. The expenditure of the Department is shown in Table XIV-A.
The figures are, as usual, supplied by the
Accountant-General, Punjab.
Part VI.—General Remarks.
General remarks.
29. The staff has worked well. The follow-
ing deserve special mention:—
M. Muhammad Abdullah, Veterinary Inspector.
Bhai Thakar Singh, Veterinary Inspector.
Lala Ram Rattan, Head Clerk.
The Chief Superintendent's thanks are due to Messrs Meadows and
Quirke and Lala Kotu Ram, Deputy Superintendent, for their great assistance
during the year.
REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT CATTLE FARM, HISSAR.
A—REVIEW OF THE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT.
The year under report was a very satisfactory one. Owing to the good
monsoon a large amount of fodder was collected. As is usually the case,
sufficient labour was difficult to get and, in consequence, the work of collecting
fodder was handicapped.
The canal supply was unfortunately insufficient owing to the shortage of
water in the Western Jumna Canal.
The farm has been, as usual, unfortunate regarding diseases, but the
careful management in dealing with them reflects great credit on the Superin-
tendent and his staff.
Two hundred and one bulls have been issued to the District Boards in
the Punjab—the largest number on record. Without the farm the Province
could not get the bulls required by the districts.
It is a pity the Military Department was unable to take more bullocks.
The four mules rejected by the Army Remount Department realized good
prices which prove that even rejected stock is bought up readily by private
people.
The scarcity of Arab stallions in the open market shows the necessity for
breeding Arabs at the farm. The Chief Superintendent is grateful for General
Templer's assistance in supplying mares, and for so kindly lending the Arab
stallion " Gunboat," which is a renowned stock-getter. When the scheme is
mature it is to be hoped that the farm will be able to supply its own District
Board requirements. The Province can then boast of being able to supply its
own stallions, bulls and rams.
The Chief Superintendent considers that Mr. Branford has worked well,
and that he deserves great credit for his labours.
B.—REPORT BY MR. R. BRANFORD, SUPERINTENDENT, CATTLE FARM, HISSAR.
1. The farm was under my charge for the whole of the year.
2. The fodder famine conditions prevalent at the end of 1915-16, con-
tinued for the first four months of the year, and stall feeding was general for
all stock till the end of July.
The fodder used was partly farm-grown and partly purchased. I had
hoped after the middle of May to have been able to feed entirely from farm-
grown produce. Two circumstances prevented this—
(1) Owing to an unusually poor supply of canal water a much smaller
area than usual of early jowar was sown. I understand the
Jumna river reached a record low level.