( 14 )
36. Various complaints were received about some of the bulls: some have
been impotent,—a few too small or too big. The present system of supplying
bulls has already been reported as very unsatisfactory. I have attempted to
buy up the young stock of the Hissar bulls for preservation from the castrator,
but there are no funds. I have also asked Mr. Fox, the Manager of the
Dumraon Raj, if he can assist.
37. Sripur and Pusa Farms.—Cattle-breeding operations have not yet
begun.
38. It having been noticed in Patna that the breed of local milch cattle
introduced by Mr. Taylor was deteriorating and that fresh blood was needed
for their regeneration, arrangements are being made by Government to import
two bulls and four cows from Australia, which will be kept for the present
at Sripur.
39. The Government of India have allowed, subject to final sanction,
Rs. 2,500 to foster cattle-breeding in Bengal by the awarding of prizes at cattle
fairs and shows. This scheme will do much to improve the cattle.
40. On the whole, there is promise that cattle-breeding will receive that
practical support which it deserves, and that the annual reports under this head
will be more cheerful in future.
HORSE AND PONY-BREEDING.
41. Backergunge.—I reported last year that the General Manager, Court
of Wards, Backergunge, requested me to procure an Arab pony stallion for
stud purposes in the Dakhin Shabazpur estate. He remitted to me Rs. 650 as
an advance for procuring a stallion between 13 and 13-2 hands, as desired by
the District Magistrate. I inquired of the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary
Department, if a stallion of the sort could be obtained at the Babugarh depôt,
but there was none. He undertook to procure one from Bombay during his
visit, but could not obtain an animal of the sort required. The money was
returned.
42. Hathwa.—The Government of Bengal having sanctioned the purchase
of an Arab pony stallion from Bombay at a cost of about Rs. 800, a stallion
was procured by the estate on the 30th December 1900. It has been kept
under the supervision of the Manager of the estate in the Raj stables for the use
of the tenants' mares. The Manager reports that, although notice was widely
circulated in the estate that the stallion was purchased to serve mares free, not
one mare has been offered (Table D). The cost of feed, keep, attendants, etc.,
of the stallion from 1st January to 31st March 1901 was Rs. 58-14 (Table E).
43. Buxar.—The Subdivisional Officer of Buxar reports that during the
year under report 19 mares were covered by the District Board pony stallion,
"Ruby," against 30 in the preceding year (Table D). The results of the
coverings could not be ascertained, as the mares came from different and distant
places. The cost of feed, keep, attendants, etc., was Rs. 230-7-3, against
Rs. 206-12-9 last year (Table E).
MULE-BREEDING.
44. The Political Officer of Sikkim reports that eight pony mares were
covered by the donkey stallion "Charakh" during the year (Table J), of
which one has given birth to a pony, and not a mule. He, therefore, recom-
mends the removal of the animal at once, which might be of use elsewhere.
The cost of feed, keep, attendants, etc., of the donkey stallion was Rs. 224-8-3,
which excludes the cost of March 1901 (Table K). This stallion should be
removed.
Mule-breeding has failed in Sikkim, in spite of the support Mr. J. C .
White has always given it, and I am preparing a note in reference to this
matter.
TOURS.
45. During the year, I was on tour for 109 days and travelled 652 miles
by road, 3,986 miles by rail, and 1,816 miles by steamer, i.e., 6,454, miles
in all.