VISITS TO REMOUNT DEPOT AT SAHARUNPORE. 855 
the doing-duty officers (not a very definite title) acted under all 
the former, and had certain stables told off to them, as in troops 
of cavalry. The veterinary surgeon’s duty was simply confined 
to attending cases in hospital. Here was a large and important 
establishment, and that the charge was considered a responsible 
one, will be assumed from the rank of the officers engaged. The 
high pay of officers of such standing proves also that Govern¬ 
ment was not deterred by the expense of remuneration from 
doing its best to make the department efficient. Doubtless, the 
superintendent must have had his hands full with such an army 
to command. The deputy-superintendents must have been 
weary of their travels over extensive districts to see after the 
welfare of the matrons, and the treatment of the rising genera¬ 
tion. First, second, and third-class assistants, it will be ob¬ 
served had separate stations, so it must not be presumed that 
they were superfluous; and the “ doing-duty officer ” was 
clearly required; thus really an analysis shows that the staff 
was not too strong. Whether all officers were adapted for their 
posts might admit, perhaps, of a question. One would be 
rather suspicious of the intimate acquaintance of those from 
infantry regiments with equine matters, not that it is impossible 
to select horsemen from infantry, but there does not appear 
to have been any qualifying test. One of the superintendent’s 
duties on visiting the districts, was to inspect mares which were 
submitted to him for approval, when, if passed, they were 
branded on the shoulder. As has been above stated, Govern¬ 
ment was obliged to take the produce of these under the As- 
samee system. On the Zemindar plan an extra ten rupees was 
always given for the foals of mares with brand. On inquiry 
into the management of studs and depots, I much regretted to 
find that the duty of the veterinary surgeon was so scrupulously 
restricted to the treatment of his patients in hospital. It is well 
known in the army, and appreciated in all large horse esta¬ 
blishments, that veterinary supervision keeps the hospital com¬ 
paratively empty, and that there are innumerable opportunities 
of making suggestions, hygienic and otherwise, that certainly add 
to well-being and efficiency; it ought surely to be remembered 
that the veterinary officer has been subjected to his qualifying 
test. 
Finance .—At all the Bengal studs a very nominal rent was 
paid for the land; at Hapur it is also hired ; at Saharunpore it 
is the property of Government; at the “ Home Stud ” it was 
also advantageously hired, with right of cutting timber. So far 
economy appears to have been secured. The system of accounts, 
however, seems puzzling to the uninitiated; for years the accounts 
have been kept at Calcutta for all studs, and depots included, 
