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The stud extends its operation to this district, but horse-breeding is not so popular here as in
Saharanpur, though some fair animals may be found in the Rájput chaubisi in the north-west of the
district on the Saharanpur border.
Shamli Tahsil.—During the rains of 1895 sixteen villages are reported in the Kairana Pargana as
having been the seats of Surra. Twelve out of sixteen are said to be low-lying and subject to inun-
dation.
Only incomplete reports have been received with regard to the outbreak of Surra which appeared
in 1896-97 in three villages in this district. A few animals only succumbed during the last season,
owing to the scarcity of rain.
Bulandshahr District.
This is situated between the Ganges and Jumna rivers, south of the Meerut District, and is bounded
on the south by the Aligarh District. It embraces an area of 1,906.2 square miles, with a population
of 936,593 souls, or 490 to the square mile.
The district is divided into four tahsils, viz., Bulandshahr or Baran, Anúpshahr, Khurja. and
Sikandarabad.
The general surface of the country is an almost uniform level, with a gradual slope to the south-
east of about 18" in the mile; its height above sea-level ranging from 727 to 636 feet.
The soil is principally a rich loam, but the high banks of the Ganges and Jumna, which divide the
bangar or uplands from the Khadir or bed of the river, are poor and sandy. Usar plains are found
in almost all the parganas of this district and are quite barren.
The chief rivers are the Jumna, the Ganges, the Hindan and the East Kalinadi.
The Khadir or low alluvial lands are, however, for the most part, confined to one side of the Kalinadi
for a distance of several miles, and further on, are to be found extending for some distance, on the other
side. The course of this stream is very tortuous, and the turns and bends are very numerous, being
in some places almost a succession of loops.
In years of severe rainfall the Jumna is liable to flood and inundate a large tract of country, and
the Ganges, at a place called Biborapur, above Ahar, flows over the low-lying country.
Along the Kalinadi some injury is done by the over-saturation of the neighbouring land, and the
Hindan is also liable to flood, and deposit silt on the inundated tracts.
The climate varies greatly, being very cold in the winter, when the thermometer frequently falls
to or near the freezing point, and hot and moist in the extreme in the rains. The average rainfall is
32 inches, ranging from 17.8 inches to 32.5.
A great improvement has taken place in the breed of horses, since stallions from the Government
Stud at Babugarh in pargana Hapur of the Meerut District have been quartered at various places in
this district. The Zamindars, almost without exception, take advantage of them, and the result is that
strong and handsome colts and fillies are now commonly seen throughout the district.
The bullocks and cows are of ordinary size. The breed of sheep, camels and goats is not worthy
of notice, and no attempts at improvement have been made.
Domestic animals kept are the same as in Meerut District.
The great increase in fevers during the last few years has kept pace with the increased activity
in the canals and more extended irrigations, and so far the canals have had a prejudicial effect on the
public health in this district.
Some thousands of mares, according to Veterinary-Captain Rayment, have died in this district from
Surra, during the years 1888 to 1893.
Sikandarabad Tahsil.—Surra occurred in the village of Rahbopura in the Sikandarabad Tahsil of
this district in 1892. This village is in the Jumna Khadirs, about four miles distant from the river,
and is subject to inundation. It is a Biluch village, and the people used to keep numbers of camels.
There were about 400 there in 1892, but the whole of these animals died between the rains of that
year and 1894. The following villages, which were inhabited by camel-men have also suffered very
severely from the disease :—Thagghar, Tahangerpur, Malerna and Kakur. These villages used to be
full of camels, but few remain at present, and many of the people have been ruined from the losses
caused by this disease. The country is reported to be water-logged and subject to ' reh'.
Fyzabad District.
Surra occurred in the 3rd Bengal Cavalry stationed at the Fyzabad cantonments, in October,
November and December 1893. Fyzabad is low-lying on the banks of the Sarju River, which
B 2204—7