172
Madras.
Sivalperi Cattle Fair.—This Pair commenced on the 12th of April, about
19,000 animals attended, of which about 16,000 were from neighbouring taluks,
2,000 from the Salem district and 1,000 from Madura. No information as to
the demand for bullocks is given which is to be regretted. With regard to the
sanitary arrangements, they seem to have left much to be desired, as the Stock
Inspector reports that a bullock was found in the Fair suffering from rinderpest,
and that the owner was given a prescription and ordered to take the animal
away. The danger to the general public from such a proceeding is very great,
and I cannot too strongly recommend the adoption of the Stock Inspector's
recommendation to establish a hospital pound at this Fair as is done in every
other part of India, and the provisions of medicines. At the Punjab Cattle
Pairs this has long been done with great benefit and at little expense which is
easily met from the funds arising from fees charged on the sale of cattle,
which in some places are considerable.
Kuvagam Cattle Fair.—This Pair was held from the 7th to the 11th, of May.
Cattle were brought in from the Salem and North Arcot districts, also from
Madura and Tanjore. The animals brought from Salem and North Arcot
were a cross between the native breed and the Mysore, whilst those from the
South were all of indigenous breed. The former are larger in size and stronger
in build, and hence are more valuable. The number of animals attending was
roughly estimated at 6,000. The demand was so great that more than three-fourths
of the number was sold in three or four days, and the prices realized were 20 per
cent. dearer than those of the previous year; this is said by the ryots to be due
to the great mortality amongst cattle from rinderpest last year. The sanitary
conditions were good. The suggestions of the Stock Inspector with regard to
the improvement of the water-supply should be carried out. As contagious
diseases are often introduced into villages by cattle purchased from Cattle Pairs,
a set of simple rules have been drawn up and are distributed to the people at
the Pair telling them what to do in order to escape contagion. There were
no cases of contagious disease at the Pair.
Mailam Cattle Fair—This Pair was held in the South Arcot district from
the 16th to the 19th of July. Cattle were brought in for sale chiefly from
Salem, Nellore, North Arcot, Chingliput and South Arcot districts, the breeds
being Salem, Nellore, Alambadi and village breeds. The number of animals
which attended the Pair was not ascertained, but it is stated that about 300
changed hands. The cattle exposed for sale were few and the supply was not
equal to the demand, many buyers being disappointed. The sanitary arrange-
ments are reported to have been good and no case of contagious disease occur-
red.
Madura Cattle Fair.—This Pair was held during the months of April and
May. The number of cattle attending was 20,706 which were brought in
from districts of Tinnevally, Madura, Coimbatore, Salem and Trichinopoly,
the chief breeds being Mysore, Pulikolam, Kangyam, Alambadi and local
village breed. The sanitary arrangements were good, and there was no case of
contagious disease during the Pair.
Kannicheri Cattle Fair.—This Pair commenced on the 6th of June. About
15,000 cattle were brought in, of which 80 per cent. were sold. The cattle were
brought in chiefly from Salem, Trichinopoly and Madura. The Alambadi
being the best, selling at an average of about Rs. 100 each.
Prices ruled high as a rule throughout. The sanitary arrangements were
good and only one case of foot and mouth disease occurred throughout the
Pair. This case was isolated and the disease did not spread.
Almartirunagari Fair.—This Pair was held from the 3rd to the 25th
June in the Tenkarai taluk of the Tinnevelly district. About 7,500 head
of cattle attended, of which about two-thirds were sold. There were very few
cows and very little young stock, the greater part being adult agricultural
stock which had been for some time at work and had changed hands before.
The breeds represented were the Kanganad, Alambadi, Pulikulam, Kulakadu
and Mysore, with a greater proportion of village cattle; the Kanganad and