77
PART I.-IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
IV.-INSTRUCTION FARM.
North-Western
Provinces Farm.
392. I deem it advisable to give, in extenso, a most interesting report
received from the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-
Western Provinces and Oudh, adding as it does to our knowledge of the value
of various fodder crops. This officer reports as follows:—
"The crops grown on the farm were:—(1) Lucerne, (2) Guinea grass, (3) Impey, (4) Maize, (5) Moath,
(6) Carrots, (7) Oats, (8) Barley, (9) Gram, (10) Linseed, (11) American Sugar Solghum, (12) Mauritius
water grass, (13) Reana Luxurians, (14) Marwa, (15) Solghum Haliphense, (16) Karanjna, (17) Hay, (18)
Sundhia Jowari.
Lucerne.
"There are 10 bighas (2 ½ acres) under cultivation and grown in ridges. The crop has done well, giving
an outturn of 2,266 maunds 14 seers 8 chittacks, against 1,830 maunds and 20 seers last year; this excellent
yield is in a great measure due to plentiful manuring after each cutting and to the periodical use of Burke's
plough between the ridges. Some seed obtained from Kandhla has given excellent results, the plants being
very healthy and strong and attain to a great height before flowering. During the month of May the plants
were attacked by smut, commonly known as 'Chempa'. To prevent further attacks, the plants were cut close
to the ground, irrigated and a good dressing of ashes applied. This was successful in preventing the spread
of the disease.
Guinea grass.
"The area under cultivation was 2½ bighas (about ½ an acre). The crop has given satisfaction, the out-
turn being 835 maunds 26 seers against 787 maunds last year. The plants are grown in ridges, frequently
manured and Burke's plough used between the plants. It is an excellent fodder plant and much appreciated
by the horses.
Impey.
"Four bighas were put down in March and 20 bighas as a kharif crop. Five cuttings were obtained, the
outturn being 1,050 maunds of green fodder against 609 maunds 13 seers last year; and 400 maunds of hay
against 300 maunds last year—an excellent crop. This is exceptionally good feeding for the horses and rapidly
brings them into condition. The plants require a top dressing of manure after each cutting.
Maize.
"The area under cultivation was 80 bighas (about 16 acres). The yield was 140 maunds against 128
maunds 9 seers last year. The following varieties were sown, viz., Depôt, Bilsi, Sayana and Bulandshahr.
The Bulandshahr variety gave the best results, both as regards the seed and size of cobs. It is very necessary
with this crop that fresh seed should be obtained yearly and the plots very freely manured.
Carrots-
"The area under cultivation was 7 bighas. The outturn was excellent, the yield being 682 maunds 38
seers against 325 maunds 31½ seers last year, and 146 maunds 22 seers of carrot tops. The Bombay
variety was sown and gave great satisfaction. One quarter of a bigha was sown with European carrot seed,
three varieties—white, yellow and red. The seed was obtained from the Assistant Director of Land Records and
Agriculture, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, Cawnpore; the results were good and seed is being saved for
next year's sowing.
Oats.
"The area under cultivation was 20 bighas. The outturn was 56 maunds green oats, 36 maunds of oat
seed, and 100 maunds of oat straw. The oat seed weighed 36 lbs. to the bushel. This plot was heavily
manured and frequently irrigated.
Barley.
"The area under cultivation was 20 bighas (4 acres). The outturn is 53 maunds of barley seed and 80
maunds of bhoosa. The seed is stated by the Veterinary Overseer to weigh 50 lbs. to the bushel. It is of
most excellent quality, and I have seen none better in the district. This plot was also heavily manured and
constantly irrigated.
Gram.
"The area under cultivation was 64 bighas (144/5 acres). The outturn is 45 maunds of gram and 20
maunds of bhoosa. The complaints from the surrounding districts as to the poverty of the gram crops are
very general, and the prices are rising rapidly in consequence. There were practically no winter rains, the
rainfall from the second week in September 1898 to the end of March only amounting to 16/10 inches;
this was quite insufficient for the rabi crops, and also threw a great deal of extra work on the farm
mares, who had to work incessantly in the pump in order to carry out irrigation of the oats and barley crops.
This absence of rain and the continuous prevalence of the south-westerly winds had a very deleterious effect
on the gram plots. The plants withered and dried up in large patches before they reached maturity.
In other instances the pods dropped to the ground and were quite sterile being quite devoid of any
seed. In one plot of 15 bighas the plants were quite destroyed and the yield nil. All the plots under
gram cultivation were manured, and although the yield is only moderate, yet the seed is of good quality and a
rich brown color.
Merwa.
Merwa.—" The area under cultivation was ¼ bigha. The outturn being 50 maunds of hay and 1 seer of
seed against 20 maunds and 1½ seers, respectively, last year. The same procedure was carried out as last year.
The hay is much liked by the horses who eat it readily.
Hay.
Hay.—"The hay made during this year amounted to 1,650 maunds. The Hapur encamping ground gave
us 900 maunds against 609 last year, and 750 maunds were obtained from the Farm. It is of a most excellent
quality consisting of a mixture of all grass. The system of storing and saving all the hay seeds left at the
bottom of the stack is continued and gives excellent results when sown broadcast in bare places.
Bedding grass.
Bedding grass.—" The total yield was 395 maunds 21 seers, and was made up as follows:—From Hapur
encamping ground, 120 maunds; from Farm, 275 maunds 21 seers.
Mauritius water
grass.
Mauritius water grass.— The area under cultivation was one-eighth of a bigha. These plants are most
suitable for lowlying lands and in water channels and is in their greatest vigour during the rains. They are
creeping plants and are propagated by cuttings, the stems root like cynodem dactylon from every node. The
cuttings soon strike and send out straight and creeping stems. The outturn of green fodder was two maunds.
Rheana Luxurians.
Reana Luxurians.—" The area under cultivation was one bigha. This crop did not do well this year, the
outturn being 2½ seers of seed.
Solghum
Haliphense.
Solghum Haliphense.—" The area under cultivation was half a bigha. It is a very handsome grass and
stands about 5 feet when in flower. It is in its greatest vigour during the rains. This crop was not a success
this year, the of turn being 8 maunds.