5

This shows a satisfactory increase in the percentage of produce with a cor-
responding fall under "not held." The increase in the results unknown is due
to information not having been received from the Dahivádi stand in the Sátára
District where 13 mares were covered ; also the Itinerating Veterinary Graduate,
Kaira, who has supplied the horse-breeding statistics in that district, states that
he did not find sufficient time to check the results of 18 mares and consequently
they have been returned as unknown. It is hoped that more accurate inform-
ation will be obtained in future from Stand officers in the Horse-Breeding
Return D which has been lately introduced.

                                            (4).—Castration.

11.    Table XI shows that 25 colts were castrated during the year by the
several Veterinary Graduates in the non-selected districts of the Presidency.
Calves are castrated when a few months old in Gujarat and when they reach
maturity (3 to 4 years of age) in the Deccau. The operation is performed by
excision in the former province and by mulling in the latter. It is carried out
by the people themselves.

                                 III.—HORSE FAIRS AND SHOWS.

12.    Table XIII gives particulars of a Horse Show held at Ahmedabad from
the 21st to the 23rd March 1904. This was the only Horse Show held in the
non-selected districts of the Presidency during the year. It is the first time it
has been held after a lapse of 11 years. The number of exhibits present was
293, all of which competed for prizes. Of these 206 belonged to breeders and
37 to dealers, the latter from Quetta, Jacobabad and Hyderabad (Sind). Seven
good remounts were purchased for the Police at an average price of Rs. 280.
Of brood mares 14.1 and over, thirteen prize winners were fine mares suitable
in every way for breeding remounts for British Cavalry. The brood mares 141
and under, 28 in number, were a useful lot suitable for breeding purposes.
Some nice young stock by Government sires were present.

It was the opinion of the judges, besides other officials present, that the
Show was a success and fully justified the maintenance of the Government
stallions in Gujarat.

                                            VI.—GENERAL.

13.    Table XX of the Imperial section and Table XVIII of the Provincial
section of the report together show that the cost of the Department during the
year amounted to Rs. 36,485 against Rs. 47,541 last year. The decrease is
mainly observed under the head "Feed and Keep of Stallions." The total cost
has been sub-divided under the following sub-heads :—

Out of this amount Rs. 15,322, being the pay of the Superintendent, were
debited to the Imperial Funds, Rs. 19,060 were paid from Provincial Funds, and
the balance Rs. 2,103 were charged to Local Funds.

                            PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
                      I AND II.—HORSE AND MULE BREEDING.

14.    There are no horse or donkey stallions belonging to District Boards
in the Presidency.

III.—CATTLE DISEASE—INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION.

(1).—Information Collected.

15.    Reports of outbreaks of epizootic diseases were received from all
districts including the Bombay City (see Table XX). The number of animals

B 411—2