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PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
IV.—CATTLE-BREEDING, ETC.
701. This most important subject has, I regret to say, not received the
attention which it deserves, partly through the paucity of officers available
for this special department, and partly through the conservative laziness on
the part of large cattle owners. Much has been done in the preliminary work
of ascertaining the requirements of each district, particularly in the Punjab
and Bengal, but much still remains to be accomplished by Superintendents
whose principal duties are connected with cattle. These officers are, however,
extremely few in number, but it is most earnestly hoped that before another
year has elapsed this small number may be augmented.
702. In the Punjab, the Assistant to the Inspector General has made a
survey of the districts of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Hazara, so that more than
half of this important cattle-breeding Province has been thoroughly inspected
and reported upon. These reports contain much valuable information showing
the different breeds of animals which exist in the several districts, the numbers
of animals in the herds, how the cows are served when in season, and the class
of male they are mated with. There is also the additional information regard-
ing the fodder crops grown, the quality and quantity of grazing for the cattles
and the climatic influences.
703. These latter have a most important bearing on the subject. We
know for instance that large cattle are not naturally raised in submontane
nor montane districts, and we also know that large cattle are not found in
lowlying marshy portions of the country such as Eastern Bengal. This
knowledge would prevent us from sending large bulls to such places to
improve the breed. Such sires would be quite useless and this would there-
fore bring discredit on the Department which advocated such measures. The
proper course undoubtedly would be to send strong, somewhat larger and deep
chested bulls of a similar type to the herds which it is intended to improve,
and eliminate all the degenerated males which are now found with them.
704. This policy would hold good in every instance provided that the
right sort of bull was selected. I am quite against the crossing of cows by a
very dissimilar class of bull, and nothing but failure could be the result of
such crossing. I am a strong advocate for the prohibition of turning loose
any sort of young male stock as poor except under certain circumstances.
If the animal is approved of by the elders of the village, and a certificate is
sent to the District Officers stating that the male is of a good stamp and
likely to make a good and suitable sire I should be a strong supporter of the
custom ; but from our past experience it is much to be regretted to have to
state that few bulls will be turned loose in this fashion.
705. The system which experience suggests is that in every district a
certain number of the best indigenous bull calves should be purchased by the
District Boards—obtainable for a small sum—and these should be well taken
care of and fed up. Such bulls might be turned into the herds at 3½
years old, and in this way the general improvement of cattle would undoubted-
ly take place and at little expense. All bulls should be allowed absolute
freedom, as experience has shown that those continually tied up become
vicious, too fat, and quickly become impotent.
706. Now that this Department has assumed charge of the Cattle Farm
at Hissar it is anticipated, with every reasonable hope of it being realized,
that the once famous breed of cattle will be resuscitated, and the main object
of breeding will be to produce the deep chested, powerful limbed animals
such as were formerly used in the Siege Train. In addition, however, the
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