162
breeding of bulls for outlying districts will be one of the principal features
under the new regime. The bulls will not be necessarily all large animals,
as I have already shown this would be a mistake, but all bulls must have
two characteristics, viz., wide deep chests, and powerful limbs irrespective of
their height, and if cattle-breeding at Hissar is carried on with this object
ever present, bulls will be bred which will be suitable for very nearly every
part of Northern India and the requirements will prove far greater than the
capabilities of the Farm.
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
707. I regret to note that but little is done in these Provinces to maintain
the various breeds of cattle. On this subject, the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, states:—
" The following information has been received regarding the work of Government and Court of Wards
Estates' bulls, supplied through the Agricultural Department:—
" Almora.— One bull of Hissar breed, supposed to be about 13 years of age, is located at Kausani. The
bull is now too old, but has been a good bull in his time and produced good draught oxen.
" Probable number of cows served during the year . . . .
" Probable number of stook obtained . . . . . .
6
Not known.
" Hardoi.—The bull is located in Hardoi town, is of the Kheri breed, 6 years of age, is not very popular in
the district.
" Probable number of cows served during the year . . . .
" Probable number of stock obtained . . . . . .
6
Not known.
" Shahjehanpur.—The bull in charge of Raja Narain Singh of Parwar died of Rinderpest last September.
" Basti.—The bull is of the Hansi breed, located at Birdpur. Obtained from Hissar in November 1895.
" Probable number of cows served during the year . . . .
" Probable number of young stock . . . . . . .
19
9
" The bull is in excellent condition. Owing to his great size he can only serve the bigger cows belonging
to the tenants.
" Only one District Board expressed its desire to obtain a bull, viz., the Hamirpur District Board. A bull
of medium size was preferred. I recommended a Pareha or Khairgarh, the price of a bull of these breeds being
at three years of age about R70 exclusive of transit charges.
" I pointed out to the Chairman of the District Boards the benefits derived by allowing the bulls full
liberty, and brought to their notice that bulls when stall fed and not allowed liberty became vicious, fell off
in condition, and, in the majority of cases in a comparatively short time, became sterile."
708. When reviewing the work done under this head in these Provinces,
the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, states :—
" The supply of Government bulls in districts is gradually dwindling, the matter being one in which very
few District Boards can be induced to interest themselves. As against the 22 bulls reported last year, there
are only 19 now, 2 having died and 1 being lost: of the 19, 3 are unserviceable through age. But if
District Boards do not see their way to taking the lead in improving agricultural stock, the question is being
vigorously taken up by many Courts of Wards Estates and private individuals. The extent to which we assist
them is described in connection with the Cawnpore Farm, as follows :—
" A few bulls representing the leading breeds in the Provinces are usually kept at the Cawnpore Farm
for breeding purposes, and their services are utilized to a large extent by cattle-breeders, cultivators and citizens
of Cawnpore and its neighbourhood. During the year under report, 72 cows were covered, out of which 40 are
reported to have calved, 12 were served unsuccessfully, 8 died, and in the remaining cases the result is
unknown. Some of the Managers of Courts of Wards in the United Provinces have directed their attention
lately to the importance of improving the local strains in their estates. During the year under report, 6
bulls were supplied to the Partabgarh, 1 to the Bara Banki and 1 to the Sitapur Court of Wards' Estates.
An indent for bulls was also received from the Special Manager of Gorakhpur towards the close of the year
and complied with in October last. One bull belonging to the Farm was lent to Mr. Abbott of the Jhansi
Grass Farm for a year, to encourage him in a project of starting a stock farm on the great grazing wastes near
the Jhansi city."
Punjab
709. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
states:—
" I was unable to devote any attention to this industry as I have already stated that my time was entirely
taken up in superintending horse and mule-breeding operations."
710. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab,
states:—
" I attended the Dewali Cattle Fair at Amritsar. Unfortunately, beyond the above, time has not permitted
me to give this branch of my duties the attention it deserves."
711. Remarking on this subject and when reviewing the work done in this
direction by the two Superintendents now employed in this Province, the
Director of Land Records and Agriculture, states:—
" Whether a third Superintendent is appointed or not I think that it is imperative that the present staff
should be required to devote a certain amount of their time to this important subject. They are hard enough
worked as it is so they will have to neglect horse-breeding to some extent, but the time has certainly come for
the Provincial interests which are confided to the Civil Veterinary Department to receive more consideration
than has hitherto been the case."