35

    There were 56 certificated mares present at the beginning of the year. During the year under re-
port, 17 new Certificates were issued (11 of these being given in the Dera Ghazi Khan district) making a total
of 73; twelve of these were branded by me and 21 were sold, died or not traceable, 5 others were rejected,
leaving a balance at the end of the year of 35.

    Fifteen certificated mares were covered by Government stallions during the year under report.

    175.    With reference to the above extract from this Officer's Annual Report,
but little benefit has been derived from this system, still, at the same time, little
harm has been done and I see no reason to advocate any change.

    176.     The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
remarks as follows :—

    A reference to the following table shows the number of certificated mares in each district, &c. It
also shows that the number of mares which hold certificates granted by District Officers is insignificant
when the frontier districts are left out.

    Table showing the number of certificated mares in each district, number of
certificates issued, and number of mares covered during 1897-98.

    Kohat was not toured during the year and Peshawar was naturally much disturbed owing to fron-
tier troubles, as was Bannu ; but in Dera Ismail Khan there are 58 mares possessing these certificates, of:
which 2 were issued after the Superintendent's visit to the district in January 1898, leaving 56 which have
not yet been inspected. On this head, Mr. Turnbull, remarks :—

    'I again thoroughly toured this district in January, and 31 mares were branded, while at Dera
Ismail Khan Show 17 only were branded. I am of opinion that this district has been given quite
enough law and the certificates, except those lately issued, should be cancelled and the privilege of
using Government sires withheld. The owners of branded mares still largely use the country-bred stallions
for these mares and nothing seems to impress on breeders the advantages which have been so repeatedly
put before them.'

    Out of 17 certificated mares in the Jhelum district, 5 were branded during the year under report, 1
refused brand, and 5 rejected by cancelling their certificates ; as they had not been brought up for inspection
as the people in this district are quite aware of the rules relating to certificates, I cannot help thinking
that they are bad mares or they would have been brought up for inspection. One died and one was
transferred from the district, leaving 4 mares to whom the certificates were granted after my visit.

    The district of Sialkot was not toured, owing to heavy rains on the dates of my proposed pro-
gramme, so that 2 mares already certificated have been allowed to receive the services of Government
stallions for another year.

    177.     North Punjab seems to use these certificates more than any breeding-
circle, and the attention of the Director of Land Records and Agriculture will be
called to Veterinary-Lieutenant Turnbull's remarks. I quite agree with him that
many inferior mares are granted these certificates.

    178.     Remarking on the system of empowering Civil Officers to issue Certifi-
cates for mares to be served by Government stallions, the Superintendent, Civil.
Veterinary Department, Bombay, states :—