42

7. Fodder.—The reserve of fodder at the end of the
year was as follows:—

as against 134,278 maunds on 31st March 1925.

The expenditure of fodder during the year exceeded
the amount credited by 1,281 maunds. This is accounted
for by various reasons.

Firstly, more has been consumed owing to the increased
sale of bulls and heifers, the animals being tied up and stall
fed preparatory to issue, secondly, the number of mules on
ration is in excess of the usual number owing to none being
issued to the Army this year, as referred to in "Live Stock"
para. 2 (c) of this report, and thirdly, the kharif crop
was below average owing to the short water supplied already
referred to under "Cultivation" para. 2 of this report.

The weather during March was abnormally cool with
cloudy days and showers of rain which delayed the ripening
of the oat crop, and on 8th March there was a sharp storm
with hail which beat the crop down and did considerable
damage.

                                                          BIR.

8. Rainfall.—The rainfall was 12.41" for the year
under report, but the intervals between falls were too
long to grow sufficient grass for any extensive hay-making
to be carried out.