(12)
Brahmini bulls has been indicated in a note by the Director of Land Records, viz.,
that only worthless brutes will be sent to us. The only way to meet this risk
would be the adoption of a system of inspection and testing, which presents
difficulties. Moreover, it has been found that the scheme has not worked very
well in practice for various reasons: 1st, Captain Gunn has not been able to
procure Dulls (for Dinajpur) in the North-West Provinces, because the local
raiyats objected to part with their animals; 2nd, I have not succeeded in
procuring Brahmini bulls at Sitamarhi for exportation to the Lower Provinces
so far (but I intend to try again when the crops are beginning to grow); 3rd,
those procured in my predecessor's time do not appear to have found universal
favour. In whatever manner bulls are procured, it is evident that a considerable
number are required, for, if the cattle of Bengal are deteriorating, a few bulls
will scarcely stem the process, except in their immediate neighbourhood. More-
over, the progeny of these bulls will tend to degenerate, though starting from
a higher level.
124. I have now shown that good bulls are required and in numbers. I
have shown that we cannot get them now. The remedy seems to be that Bengal
should breed her own bulls, providing it can be proved to be remunerative when
all things are considered. With this object in view, information is being col-
lected and estimates prepared for submission to Government.
125. The Bankipore cross-bred cattle.—This breed is useful for its milk. As
the breed is deteriorating, it has been suggested that Anglo-Australian blood
should be imported to refresh it. There appears to be no objection to this, and
I would be glad to assist the Municipality to procure bulls, which might bo paid
for out of local funds. I have, however, to observe that a prolonged quarantine
will be necessary in order to avoid all danger of Tick plague being import-
ed by the bulls from Australia.
126. Siri cross-bred cattle.—Four bulls, the progeny of the Sikkim Anglo-
Australian sire and of Siri cows, are to be distributed in the Darjeeling district,
whore bulls are badly required to improve the milking properties of the
cattle.
127. Sheep.—At the Suri mêla I was introduced to an interesting example
of private enterprise on the part of the blanket-makers, who have imported Patna
rams into the local flocks on the agreement that the produce shall be sold to
them. The result is that a sheep that was formerly worth about Rs. 1-4, is now
said to be sold for about Rs. 4. It would, therefore, appear that the practical
work in sheep-breeding supports the views which emanated from Mr. Finucane
and Mr. Abbott in 1887 as to the possibility of improving wool in some parts of
Bengal, at any rate; and does not altogether support the views of the Com-
mittee which reported unfavourably in 1888.
128. I suggest that sheep-breeding would be all the better for a little
encouragement in those districts where experience shows that these animals
can live.
129. Goats.—I am not aware that much formal support is given to the
breeding of goats in this province, except in the award of prizes at mêlas. Our
local breed is very small as compared with Junma-paris and the Bombay goats.
Possibly rams might be imported with advantage.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
130. Glanders and Farcy.—Since the 10th September 1877, the Bengal
Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act VIII of 1880 has been in force in Calcutta
and it has been extended to mêlas at Sonepur, Kalimpong and Berhampore
during the fairs.
As Veterinary Assistants are gradually appointed in the
mufassal, it will be feasible to recommend the extension of the Act.
131. It would be useful if reports were available in this office for submis-
sion to Government showing the working of the Act. At present I can only
report that 13 cases of glanders were diagnosed in the Bengal Veterinary Insti-
tution and destroyed.
Contagious cattle disease.
Contagious disease in cattle practically means rinderpest, at present; for
one outbreak of other disease many outbreaks of
rinderpest are reported.
132. Appended will be found a statement extracted from the Calcutta
Gazette showing the reports from the District Officers (Appendix XXVII).