10
5, 30 and 53 cattle. No deaths occurred after the inoculations. It appears the
people had seen cattle inoculated in the previous year and asked for it again,
because they thought it had caused an improvement in the condition of their
animals. An outbreak of bubonic plague among cattle was reported from the
Ratnágiri District. This was either quarter ill or Barbone.
The Presidency would appear to have been extraordinarily free from rinder-
pest, and I cannot help thinking that so far as Bombay is concerned its prevalence
has been exaggerated owing to other diseases having been mistaken for it by the
uninitiated.
IV.— CATTLE-BREEDING, INCLUDING CATTLE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
25. A few spasmodic attempts to improve the breed of cattle in the
Deccan by the purchase of suitable bulls have been made in the past, but there
has been no continuity of action and therefore no noticeable results, nor have
there been any systematic Government cattle-breeding operations carried out
in the Presidency. The subject has, however, received a good deal of considera-
tion during the past year, and proposals have been put forward with reference to
the. establishment of cattle-breeding and rearing farms. At all places visited on
tour, cattle have been inspected as they went out to or returned from grazing,
or when at work in the field, and every opportunity has been taken advantage of
to visit weekly cattle markets and inquire into the source of supply of cattle.
In the Deccan, speaking generally, there is no cattle-breeding except in a hap-
hazard way. Cows of the ordinary stamp met with are bulled promiscuously
when out grazing by ordinary bulls left unmulled for breeding purposes, or
because they were of a tranquil disposition. Only the well-to-do can afford to
keep good cattle, and they are not many. The ordinary ryot has to be content
with an undersized non-descript animal, which requires less feeding, is more
hardy, and cheaper to buy. In irrigated localities, where forage is more plentiful,
better cattle are found, and care is generally taken that the best cows are mated
to the best bulls. The Northcote Cattle Farm at Chharodi was visited on the
17th January. At its present strength it is calculated that in succeeding years
about 100 bull-calves of the pure Kankrej breed, suitable for breeding purposes,
could be obtained annually from the farm. No other breeding establishments
worthy of note appear to exist in the Presidency except in Native States, where,
owing to the existence of extensive grazing lands, cattle can be bred profitably.
The method of cattle-breeding existing in the Deccan generally is the immemo-
rial one of turning loose a young bull devoted to a deity. In parts where grazing
land is extensive or forage plentiful, as it is in the valleys of the principal rivers
and irrigated tracts, the custom is systematically adhered to, but in other parts
from various causes, the chief of which appears to be the restriction of grazing
by the enclosure of forest lands, and famine, it has to a great extent, by force of
circumstances, been given up.
In the ordinary Deccani villages of the more barren parts the people can-
not afford to keep good cattle and cannot turn loose especially selected bulls,
because of the difficulty they have in obtaining them. Even where fodder crops
are abundant and good grazing is obtainable, mating of cows is only carefully
attended to to a limited extent in the case of the best animals, such as are requir-
ed for special purposes. Some for instance are bred for carriage work only, and
in the case of plough-bullocks it is usually only the first pair yoked to the plough
that are specially selected animals worthy of notice. At the present time
quantity is a matter of far greater importance than quality in those parts of the
country which have been most affected by famine. Cattle cannot be bred pro-
fitably in such parts and their supply must come from such localities as possess
special facilities for breeding and rearing purposes.
V.—VETERINARY INSTITUTIONS.
(3).—Dispensaries.
Násik.
28. Veterinary Graduate R. Reuben—Inspected on the 15th August 1902
and found in good order. The total number of cases
treated during the year was 1,718 against 1,293 last
year, and 1,135 the year before. Of these, 342 were horses, 918 cattle, 246
buffaloes, 57 goats and sheep, 115 dogs, and the rest other animals. The only