22
not furnished the necessary information so the table is incomplete. Local
bodies do not interest themselves very much in cattle-breeding. When the
cattle survey is completed and it has been decided exactly on what lines to
proceed the matter will be brought to their notice.
(ii) Bull-rearing and breeding farms and depôts.
See Table IX.
23. The Northcote Cattle Farm at Chharodi, Ahmedabad District, which
was handed over to the Civil Veterinary Department
in 1906 was in charge of Mr. P. V. Nagarsheth
throughout the year under report. Veterinary Assistant Gandhi was attached
for training from October 1914. The receipts during the year amounted to
Rs. 9,162 against Rs, 6,957 in the previous year. The increase is due to sale
of hay and to a sum of Rs. 1,494 under "other heads" for the maintenance of
a Brazilian cattle dealer's animals that are being kept at the farm. The
expenditure was Rs. 17,899 against Rs. 18,465. There was an increase of
Rs. 1,339 under feed and keep of animals owing to the expense entailed in
keeping Mr. Borges's cattle. A sum of Rs. 1,297 was spent in hay-making
against Rs. 2,286 in the previous year. Last year the expenditure under other
heads included the capital cost of the materials for two new Dutch barns, viz.
Rs. 4,295. In the year under report these were erected and other improvements
the cost of which has been included under "other heads" were the re-roofing
of the officer's bungalow at a cost of Rs. 1,200, the boring of a well at a cost of
Rs. 416 and the construction of a silo pit for Rs. 559. A chaff cutter and a hay
rake were purchased also. The work of planting a cactus fence round the
boundary was finished.
24. The number of cattle, exclusive of those belonging to Mr. Borges, at
the close of the year was 519, being an increase of 15. 107 calves were born
during the year; 10 bulls, 12 bullocks and 2 cows were sold. In addition
32 female stock were cast and sold by auction. There were 36 deaths, 15 from
natural causes and 21 from epidemic disease. Rinderpest broke out in April and
August but was checked by means of inoculation and other preventive measures
instituted personally by the Superintendent. A few cases of Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia and Piroplasmosis also occurred. Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia anti-
serum was used with good effect.
25. At the close of the year under report there were 12,37,905 pounds of
hay and 25,220 pounds of jowári-kárbi in hand; 4,85,000 pounds of hay were
made and stacked. The decrease in the stock of hay of nearly two lacs pounds
was due to more being sold and to less being made than usual. There is still
a surplus stock and it is proposed to sell when the market is favourable.
26. It has been decided to keep a reserve of hay for use in times of
famine at Chharodi in future. The proposal is to store 10,00,000 pounds each
year and to keep 30,00,000 pounds in stock. The matter will be taken in hand
as soon as funds are made available for the purpose.
27. The year has been a successful one financially. Permanent improve-
ments involving capital expenditure are included in the current expenditure in
Table IX and the fixed assets are not included in the valuation figures. The
farm was established to preserve the Kankreji breed of cattle and selected
herds are kept primarily for the production of bulls for stud purposes. The
herds were gone through carefully during the year and classified. A few cows
were eliminated. There is not a great demand for bulls and more could be
supplied. Some of the male stock are being castrated and trained as bullocks
for which there is always a good market.
28. The Farm was visited during the year by the Director of Agriculture,
the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Northern Division, the Extra Deputy
Director of Agriculture, Konkan Division, and by the Assistant Collector in
charge of the Sánand Táluka.
(2) Equines.
(i) Horse and pony stallions.
See Table X.
29. At the commencement of the year there were 37 stallions at work
viz. 14 horses and 23 ponies. Two horses and four
ponies were purchased and two were destroyed. Two