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This disposes of all I can suggest with reference to Siege Train bullocks. I now approach what is described as
the secondary object of the Farm, viz: that of breeding high class bulls to improve the breed of cattle in the various
districts of Northern India.
Considered from a Military point of view, this is undoubtedly of secondary importance, but still if considered as
such, it must be on the understanding that the Hissar Cattle Farm is the producing centre from which all bullocks
required for Ordnance purposes are obtainable. If it is decided to recommend that all or even a portion of the
bullocks so required are to be obtained in the open market, then I think you will all agree with me in thinking that
this object described as of secondary importance at once assumes a most prominent position, for unless the various
herds are supplied with good bulls, degeneracy must ensue.
I have stated that this object may be considered as of secondary importance from a Military point of view, if
the Hissar Farm is capable of producing all the Ordnance bullocks required, but 1 shall appeal to the Member of this
Committee appointed by Government to represent the Civil side, to lay before you the urgency which exists for the
establishment of some centre from which bulls of undeniable breeding can be procured. Veterinary-Captain Gunn,
having carried out the Bacteriological Survey in many districts of the Punjab will be able to lay before us the
requirements in this direction; as included in this Survey is the obtainment of full particulars concerning the breeds
of cattle and the adequacy and suitability or otherwise of the bulls running with the various herds of cattle in
Northern India. This Officer, as the expert appointed by Government owing to his special knowledge of cattle-breeding,
will be able to inform us whether, in his opinion, the stock now on the Farm is calculated to produce the class of
bulls required, and he will further be able to lay before us, for our consideration, any suggestions for the improvement
of stock to meet this end.
I shall ask you, as Members of this Committee, to give this important subject most serious thought, for, believe
me, when I say that it is one of national importance; owing to the opening out of canals, large tracts of country are
being brought under cultivation; this naturally results in the restriction of the grazing area and is likely to lead to a
diminished outturn of plough cattle, whilst increased cultivation means the requirements of more bullocks. There is
one point beyond which cultivation cannot extend, and this is when the maximum number of bullocks available in
the country are employed; for, if cultivation does extend beyond this, it must mean the lowering of the standard
of cultivation in a district which means poor outturn of crops, a decrease of revenue, and a general want of agricultural
prosperity. You are well aware that the prosperity of this country generally depends on the agricultural interests; and
on these grounds I feel sure you will bear me out in saying that the subject which I place before you now is one of
national importance.
Granted that cultivation is increasing, and, that as a consequence, the grazing area is diminishing generally in
Northern India, it behoves all Local Governments to gradually improve their cattle stock, so that although numbers
may decrease, quality will be maintained, and in this way the standard of cultivation will be maintained, if not improved.
Veterinary-Captain Gunn will be able to lay before you statistics showing the great want of bulls in every
district of the Punjab, village herds being invariably badly supplied, both as regards quality and numbers.
The demand for plough cattle is to-day a burning question owing to the mortality during the late famine.
Captain Dunlop-Smith will be able to inform us of the mortality amongst cattle in this important breeding tract, he
having been Deputy Commissioner in this district during the late famine.
I might further add that, although only 100 young bulls are selected annually for issue to districts, and that although
the average number issued during the past 10 years has only been 64 per annum, still there is every reason to believe
that the demand in future years will be much greater. The grounds on which I base this assertion are, that as the
Bacteriological Survey progresses, and that the want of good bulls is brought to the notice of the District Boards, the
demand will increase; further the whole question of cattle will be taken up as soon as the Subordinate Veterinary
Staff is decided on. When this is done, there is every reason to believe that the extra Veterinary Officer whose duties
will be confined to cattle, will be appointed to the North-Western Provinces and Punjab; and 1 feel confident that
when these appointments are made, there will be a far greater demand for bulls, and this the Farm should be able to
supply, provided that this can be done without a loss accruing to Government.
997. The Committee after very careful consideration of all facts laid
before it, arrived, at the conclusion that the Farm should be in a position to
increase the number of bulls available for issue up to a maximum of 200
annually, stating that the number now produced, viz. 100 is not sufficient.
They also recorded their opinion that if only good bulls are bred on the Farm,
the demand would increase considerably, and the benefits derived from their
issue would be immense.
998. I have considered this question most carefully during the past four
years whilst I have held the appointment of Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary
Department, and have refrained from giving any decided opinion hitherto, feeling
as I did that we were not in a position to take the matter up, but I now feel
it my duty to state that I consider that the matter is one in which all Local
Governments should interest themselves—the prosperity of the country demands
it. We are I hope within measurable distance of the establishment of a Subordi-
nate Veterinary Establishment, and if it is only properly organized and placed
on a footing which will ensure control of the staff, it will be able to deal with
this question in a manner which will be of incalculable advantage to the
country.
999. To take the enormous, and I might really describe it as the herculean,
task of supervising cattle-breeding in India, more Officers will be required. The
pressing needs of this Department are for the present, one extra Officer for
Burma, and an extra Officer for both North-Western Provinces and Punjab.
With only 18 Officers on its strength, including one administrative Officer,
two employed on Bacteriological Survey and at the Laboratory, 4 whose time is
entirely occupied with matters connected with horse-breeding, and 6 employed in
the various Schools and Colleges, what staff have we at our disposal to satisfactorily
deal with the cattle interests of this country?
1000. I allude to this as I fear the general impression is that the Civil
Veterinary Department is more inclined to pay attention to horse and mule-
breeding interests than to those connected with cattle; this is entirely a wrong