18
Government being 30 against 20 and of Local Boards 458 against 386. The
increase is nearly entirely confined to the Punjab 87 and United Provinces 32.
In Madras 13 were added. In the North-West Frontier Province 4, in Rajputana
2 and in the Central Provinces 1.
114. The progress in the Punjab and United Provinces is satisfactory and
as a definite scheme has been adopted in the former province we may look for
a steady increase annually. The year has not been a very favourable one
for turning bulls out and only 69 out of 95 the sanctioned number were
requisitioned from Hissar as it was not advisable to turn them out in the
districts, when great scarcity prevailed. The Dajil breed will be supplied
in future to the Muzaffargarh district.
115. In Bombay, the scheme initiated for providing stock bulls for
villages in the Ahmednagar district by giving conjoint "tagai" for the
purpose of purchasing them proved a success and 39 more Khillari bulls were
obtained at the Maswad Fair. This scheme, which appears a good one, might
perhaps be extended with benefit. These bulls are not shown in the
return.
116. In the United Provinces, in addition to the 32 bulls obtained, there
was a considerable demand which could not be met.
117. In Bengal, requests were received from many District Boards,
Government estates, etc., and Eastern Bengal and Assam to provide them
with bulls for improving the breed of cart bullocks, but the serious shortage
of suitable animals for the purpose has prevented the Superintendent from
complying with them, except in the case of Ranchi, Midnapur, Angul and
Belgachia to which 10, 8, 2 and 4 were supplied.
118. It is noted that Brahmini bulls are being taken away by butchers
from Eastern Bengal and Assam and the lower districts of Bengal. If they
only took the useless ones perhaps complaints would not arise, but it is
reported that the evil is assuming such proportions that it is likely to have a
serious effect on cattle breeding. Branding with a Government brand and
taking over by Government would put a stop to this, as I believe at present
the bulls are no ones property. In Madras, 8 young bulls of the Ongole
breed were purchased by Government and turned loose in the herds.
119. The maintenance of small herds of really good representative animals
of the best local breeds and the distribution of bulls to their villages would
do a great deal towards improving cattle breeding in India and is worthy of
the consideration of the landed gentry. Good cattle cost no more to keep
than bad ones and are of infinitely more service.
Bull rearing
and
breeding
Farms
and
Depots.
120. Table IX gives the main results of the working of the Provincial
Cattle Farms which were working at Chharodi in Ahmedabad district, Pusa
and Sripur (Hathwa Raj) in Bengal, Tilankheri (Nagpur.) Powar Kheri
(Hoshangabad) in the Central Provinces, and Upper Shillong in Eastern.
Bengal and Assam. Besides these, two others have been at work in the Court
of Wards Estates at Jetpur on the borders of Nagpur and the Chhindwara
district and another at Kindri started by the Deputy Commissioner in the
Mandla district. Another is working at Kalimpong in Bengal but no details
are available in regard to it.
121. Bengal.—Pusa—It has been found necessary to somewhat modify
the restrictions in regard to the class of cow to be used in this herd and it is
now hoped that some progress will be made. At the beginning of the year,
there were 41 cows, 77 young stock and 1 bull on the farm. 14 cows were
purchased from Sonepore and Balia. At the end of the year, the herd
numbered 50 cows, 3 bulls and 54 young stock. A suitable young stud bull
has not yet been procured. No bulls have been distributed from the farm
so far but three will be available next year. There are 6 head of two years
old male stock and 12 of yearlings. It is hoped that this herd may be exten-
ded as the numbers at present are too small to do much good.
Siripur.—Progress in connection with this farm is satisfactory. The herd
consists of 40 cows and is totally inadequate for the needs of even the large