166
Zemindars here, as it does in Harriana. The small amount of waste left for
grazing of course militates against the production of cattle in great numbers,
still in certain parts of the district, in ordinary years, there is a considerable
amount of grazing left. The soil and climate of the higher lying portions of
the district are healthy for cattle.
This district should certainly be self-supporting as regards cattle, but it is
far from being so at present, and considerable numbers of these animals have
to be purchased from outside. The reason why sufficient cattle are not pro-
duced is that the resources of the district are, at present, not made the most of
by the people, and the breed of cattle, despite what has been done by the
district authorities in the way of supplying bulls, is quickly deteriorating
owing to the want of proper bulls in the village herds. If some systematic
action could be taken the production of good cattle would rapidly increase. It
must not be forgotten that a number of cows must be kept in every village and
these must breed. It would be just as well if, instead of as at present produ-
cing yearly worse stock by young immature bull calves, or by bulls undergoing
the same process of deterioration as they are themselves, they could have the
services of decent bulls and produce stock that would be useful and remunera-
tive. The demand for bullocks is yearly becoming greater, and there is yearly
a falling off in the breeding operations in every district, whilst the breed is
gradually deteriorating, so that this subject must, in the course of a few years,
become one of very serious importance.
Karnal.—The greater part of this district is singularly unsuited. for the
breeding of cattle. Everything as regards climate, soil, grazing and the physi-
cal characters of the country are against cattle breeding. The flooding and
swampiness of the soil, the presence of "reh" and the inferiority of the grazing
and scarcity of cultivated fodder are all prejudicial to the existence of good
cattle. The only part which is considered suitable is the high land of the
Nardak. Here the conditions of climate and soil are more favorable, and it
seems to me that a fair breed could be maintained if proper arrangements for
the growth of fodder crops and a reduction of the numbers of cattle kept were
carried out. The inhabitants of the Nardak are however Rajputs and their
methods are not calculated to produce good animals.
Delhi.—The major portion of this district is not suitable for cattle breed-
ing on a large scale. The indigenous cattle in the lower parts of the district
and in the Jamna Khadar are not suitable. Improvement can however be
made towards the west of the Delhi and Sonepat tahsils where good cattle can
be raised.
Amballa.—The greater part of this district is unsuitable, all the southern
tahsils especially. There is however some hope of improvement in the nor-
thern part of the district. The indigenous cattle are very poor and the district
is entirely dependent on other districts for its supply of good cattle.
Indigenious
bulls.
567. One of the most important questions brought to the notice of
the Punjab Government is that of the Brahmini or village herd bulls. In
the district report of Gurgaon it is stated that the supply of indigenous
bulls is very meagre indeed, and those which are present as a rule are small
and inferior animals. It is scarcely credible that the supply of herd bulls
could be so low. The following figures for three tahsils will give some idea
of the numbers present according to a recent return:—
Tahsil.
Gurgaon
Palwal
Ferozepur
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
No. of cows.
39,686
33,343
32,775
No. of herd bulls.
131
224
62
Many of the bulls present are, of course, old and of no use, so that the number
which remains fit to improve the breed must be very few indeed.
The reason for this appears to be that the custom of turning loose good
bull stock as "pun" is not very prevalent, having fallen into disuse. The
practice of turning loose bad and unsuitable bulls, by Hindus in this way has