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REVIEW BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE.
Below letter No. 2123, dated 27th June 1918, from the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, Bombay Presidency, Poona, to the Secretary to
Government, Revenue Department, Bombay.
No. 8569 of 1918.
Poona, 9th October 1918.
Submitted to Government in the Revenue Department.
2. Rinderpest though still severe, was less prevalent than in the preced-
ing year. The mortality occurred mainly in the Districts of Thana, Kolaba
and Kanara where large numbers of poor stock subsist simply by virtue of
jungle grazing. In other Districts such as Poona, Satara and Dharwar where
the mortality was moderately heavy a large number of the deaths took place
in the western tracts where the conditions as to fodder supply approximate to
those of the Konkan. The inoculation campaign was fairly extensive, but the
cost of the serum now sets a limit to its indiscriminate use. It is clear from
the figures that it affords a large measure of protection.
3. The losses from Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia were considerable, and the
quality of the animals which suffer from this disease is superior to that of the
animals which run up the figures for rinderpest. It is satisfactory to note that
the campaign of inoculation and vaccination for this disease was largely
extended and showed good results. This is a line of work which probably has
a good future before it, and should be vigourously pushed on.
4. The number of Veterinary dispensaries remained the same as the year
before. Provincial funds have not been plentiful of recent years, but the real
check to the expansion of the Department arises from the scarcity of local
funds. Government supply the services of the Veterinary officers and the
whole cost of Superintendence. They also provide from one fourth to one half
of the cost of other current expenditure at the Dispensaries ; while building-
operations are financed in equal shares by Government, the Wadia Bequest
Fund and the Local Bodies concerned. In spite of this many Local Bodies
are finding themselves unable to provide for the enhanced expenditure which
any expansion would entail. The total expenditure in connection with
Veterinary work and breeding entailed on Local Bodies now amounts to
Rs. 79,000, which works out at about Rs. 4,000 a district. This is not a large
sum but it seems to indicate almost the limit of their powers, and unless
financial assistance can be secured from other quarters, it is difficult to see how
the programme of expansion can proceed. The Dispensaries continued to do
useful work.
5. The services of the stallions are well utilised, and a start was made in
putting out premium bulls and in holding small village cattle shows. A severe
epidemic of plague and the economic disturbance caused by the War prevented
as vigourous a campaign in this direction as might have been wished, but the
new departure promises success and will be pushed on as circumstances offer.
6. The Chharodi farm is doing well, and the fodder operations there
afforded considerable relief to the neighbouring breeders during the past year
when fodder was scarce, and will be of greater use during the present season
when we are faced with a more serious fodder famine. We are ready to open
a fresh centre for fodder storage in the Kaira District when funds permit. The
Chharodi farm has now made a start in rearing bull buffaloes of good strain.
This is an important matter to the milk industry of Upper Gujarat, and is at
present much neglected. The small cultivator who keeps one or two milk
buffaloes finds it difficult to secure the services of a good sire, and the start
now made promises good results.
7. Col. Walker supervised the work of the Department with his usual
care till he went on leave in April, and since then Mr. Taylor has carried it
on efficiently.
G. F. KEATINGE,
Director of Agriculture.
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