No 2840 S. (Rev. & Agri.—Genl.).

FROM

                  THE HON'BLE MR. J. P. THOMPSON, I.C.S.,
                                    Revenue Secretary to Government,
                                                            Punjab and its Dependencies,

To

                  THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
                                          DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND AGRICULTURE.

                                                                            Dated Simla, 1st September 1915.

Revenue & Agriculture.
          General.

SIR,

I AM directed to submit, for the information of the Government of India,
a copy of the Annual Report of the Civil Veterinary Department in the Punjab
for the year 1914 15, including the Annual Report on the Hissar Cattle Farm.

2.    In the Veterinary College work has been carried on under considerable
difficulties owing to the demolition of the buildings and the temporary weak-
ness of the staff which threw a heavy strain on the Principal. In spite of this,
however, the results of the examinations have been satisfactory, and the per-
centages of passes are only slightly lower than those of last year. On the hospital,
however, the effect has been serious, there being a marked fall in the number of
cases treated, owing to lack of accommodation.

The new College and Hospital have now been completed, and with the
large and well equipped buildings, and the well planned and specious grounds
now provided, the Lahore College will afford facilities for veterinary training
and treatment unsurpassed in India.

3.    The work of the Department during the year has been to some extent
hindered by the withdrawal of 27 Veterinary Assistants to Military service, and
by the prevalence of glanders. This disease was particularly virulent in
Lahore and Amritsar, but was successfully checked by the energetic and resource-
ful measures taken by the Chief Superintendent and his staff. Amongst
other measures taken to check the spread of the disease was the closing of
public watering troughs which were found by Colonel Farmer to be dangerous
sources of infection.

4.    There was a considerable increase in the number of deaths among
bovines from contagious diseases, due chiefly to the prevalence of Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia. It is gratifying, however, to note that the people are beginning
to show themselves more ready to make immediate reports of the appearance of
disease and also to accept inoculations. The practical demonstrations and
lectures delivered in the villages have no doubt contributed largely to the
growing confidence of the people in the Department and its methods.

5.    The Lieutenant-Governor is inclined to view with favour the
suggestion that the Province should breed its own Arab stallions at Hissar,
and will give the scheme his careful consideration.

Excellent progress continues to be made in cattle-breeding, and the
people show an ever-increasing tendency to act on the advice of officers of the
Department. His Honour is glad to observe also that sheep-breeding is grow-
ing in popularity, and that the demand for three-quarter bred merino sheep is
increasing.