47

against 22,346 in the previous year. Medicines and advice were
given to the owners of 3,458 animals which were not brought to the
dispensaries for treatment, making a total of 26,961 animals treated
and supplied with medicines as compared with a total of 25,695
animals in the previous year. The number of castrations performed
at dispensaries was 109 as against 91 in the previous year.

                    III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.

                                    (1) Bovines.

27. Cattle Breeding operations having been handed over to the
Deputy Director of Agriculture, Animal Breeding, Bombay Presi-
dency, Poona, information in this connection will appear in his
annual report.

                                  (2) Equines.

Tables X, XI, XII.

28.    There were nine District Local Board stallions at the
beginning of the year, of which one was
given by the District Local Board, Larkana,
to a zamindar, leaving a balance of 8 at the close of the year. The
stallions covered 387 mares during the year, as against 528 mares
covered in the preceding year. The decrease is due to less number
of stallions having been employed at stud and one stallion at
Jacobabad having been ill. The cost of the maintenance of the
stallions was Rs. 4,770 of which Government contributed Rs. 2,050.
In 1922-23, the cost was Rs. 6,731 of which Government had paid
Rs. 2,625. The question of giving financial assistance to District
Local Boards for the purchase and maintenance of more stallions
was referred to Government who have agreed to include half the
cost of purchase and maintenance of five additional stiallions, in the
budget estimates for 1925-26 provided that the Distrct Local Boards
pay the remaining half.

                            (3) Other Animals.

29.    No breeding operations are carried on in Sind under the
control of this department.

                          (4) Fairs and Shows.

30.    Horse Shows.—The Jacobabad Horse and Pony Show was
held in January. Three hundred and sixty three horses competed
for prizes and Rs. 2,185 were awarded. Government contributed
Rs. 1,450 towards the Show. The exhibits, both in number and
quality, showed an improvement on last year's Show.

31.    Cattle Shows.— Cattle Shows are now under the Deputy
Director of Agriculture for Animal Breeding, Bombay Presidency,
and information in connection therewith will be found in his annual
report.

            IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.

Table VII.

32. The designation " Veterinary Assistants " was changed to
" Veterinary Assistant Surgeons " during
the year under report. There were 20 Veter-
inary Assistant Surgeons at the beginning of the year; one died, one