Ji^iinial of Ag/'iciiHitrt'. Victoria. 



[lo May, 1 9 12. 



CERTIFICATION OF 8TALLI0NS. 



FIFTH AxNNUAL REPORT— (SEASON 1911-12). 

 Bv ir. A. A'. RobcrfsPN. B.Y.Sc. 



The Stallion Paradt-s arranged for during the season just completed, 

 marking the fifth in which the scheme for the Examination ,and Certification 

 of Stallions has been in operation, were carried to a successful issue by th^i 

 veterinary officers engaged in the work. As in previous years, the major 

 portion of such work was performed by four members of the staff — the 

 object of limiting the examining staff in this manner being an endeavour 

 to a^ttain, to the utmost, uniformity in the examination. A perusal of the 

 table showing the work of the individual officers would, at first sight, tend 

 to indicate that this uniformity had not been obtained ; but a more careful 

 analysis shows that the variation which exists is due to a difference in the 

 number of stallions rejected for type, and this number stands in inverse 

 proportion to the progressiveness of the districts visited ; for example, in 

 the more progressive centres the unsound sire has been forced to make way 

 for the sound and the animal of lower type for that of a higher ; whilst 

 the more backward portioas of the State ha'.'e a larger percentage of horses 

 which are below a reasonable standard ; and so an officer attending the 

 majority of such centres will reject a higher percentage. 



The work of the officers during tht- season under review is shown in 

 the following table ■: — 



Officers' Examinations of Stallions. Season 1911-12. 



Of the 130 parades held, 97 were carried out under the auspices of various 

 agricultural societies ; and it is pleasing to note that in the majority of 

 cases secretaries rendered all the assistance in their power, and helped to 

 lighten the duties of the examining officer by adhering to the official time- 

 table, and making suitable arrangements, for presenting all stallions sub- 

 mitted for examination. 



The total number of stallions .examined by members of our own staff 

 is .shown in the table of analysis given at a later stage of this report to 

 be 979; to this must be added 91 for which certificates were transferred, 

 making a total of 1,070 certificated in this State. 



The season stands out prominently as one of great activity in the 

 draught horse industry as evidenced by the increase in the importations 

 from New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the figures for the last two 

 seasons Ix-ing as under : — 



Stallions imported to Victoria. 



