9

31.    Owing to Delhi being made an Imperial City in October 1912, the
management of the hospital there was taken over by the imperial govern-
ment. The Superintendent and the Inspector continue their usual super-
vision.

                              Part III.—Breeding operations.

                                                BOVINES.

32.    Table No. VIII gives the account of stud bulls at work in the
districts where they are the property of the district boards Ninety-one bulls
were supplied from the Hissar Cattle Farm on indent from 16 district boards
and 13 were purchased locally. At the end of the year under report there were
544 bulls.

33.    The system of supplying bulls is satisfactory Some of the
district boards purchase bulls for Rs. 200 and sell to responsible men
for half the price This is a very good method, but a sufficient number of men
do not come forward to purchase. The most satisfactory method would be for
the Agricultural Banks to purchase; this would place the responsibility of
looking after the bull upon more people because a larger number would have a
share in the bulls. The Chief Superintendent has consulted Mr. Langley,
Registrar of the Co-operative Credit Societies, who has very kindly helped him,
and the Inspectors of the Banks have been consulted in the districts.

34.    Cattle-breeding will always be handicapped until the letting loose
of brahmini bulls is put an end to, or it be arranged for the pious hindus to
consult the department before letting a bull loose. The present pious man
cannot and does not wish to pay the price of a good animal, as prices have
so greatly increased in the last few years. This is a delicate matter, but
religious sentiment in this matter is not so strong now as it used to be.
The department has carefully considered this. The best way to deal with
these useless animals would be to issue orders that all inferior brahmini bulls
should be reclaimed by their original owners. The selection should be done
by committees of lambardars with the veterinary inspectors. If the animal
is not claimed, it can be either sent to a goushala, if so desired, or castrated
and sold by auction, and the money credited to the district board to go towards
the purchase of a good bull

Pious hindus in the future wishing to present a brahmini bull should
be asked to contribute whatever money they wish to spend to the district
board who should add the necessary amount and purchase a good animal.

35. During the Chief Superintendent's tour he observed in villages
poor cows and no bull and immature young males bulling their mothers and
sisters. The result is degeneration, disease and losses to owners. It is more
expensive to feed and keep poor than good stock.

                      EQUINES (UNDER LOCAL BODIES).

Table X—Number of horses
and pony stallions in the
non-selected districts.

36. At the close of the year there were 68 horses and pony stallions
at work- in the non-selected districts which is 2 less
than the sanctioned scale. The deficiency is in the
Jullundur and Muzaffargarh districts. The produce of
these animals is good.

Number of donkey stallions
in the non-selected districts.

37.    There were 74 donkey stallions at work in the districts during
the year which is one short of the sanctioned scale.
Eight jacks were indented for and supplied during the year
from the Hissar Farm.

38.    The statistics for service of stallions are given in Table XI which
shows satisfactory results.

Covering registers are now being more carefully kept, and the depart-
ment is endeavouring to get more information regarding the young stock
produced. The shortage of veterinary assistants rather handicaps this, as
their time is fully taken up with treatment of diseases and castrations.