191
One hundred and nineteen animals attended the Show against 179 last year,
vide detailed below:—
Bulls ... ...
Cows ... ...
Oxen in pairs ... ...
Sheep ... ...
1897-98.
29
10
77
3
119
1896-97.
145
15
15
4
179
The decrease was probably due to the fact of its being known that the Com-
missariat Department were not going to purchase.
Total sales at this Show amounted to Rs. 1,177.
Out of 119 animals exhibited at the Show 27 won prizes of the total value
Rs. 166:—
11 Bulls ... ... ... ...
6 Cows
...
...
... ...
10 Oxen in pairs ... ... ...
50
46
70
166
Bengal.
1067. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, reports
as follows:—
Sitamarhi
Cattle Fair.
Sitamarhi Fair.—The number of cattle present was said to be smaller than in the preceding year, and they con-
sisted chiefly of young animals from two teeth to six teeth in age. The prices of cattle oscillated considerably owing
to a rumour that large purchases were to be made by Government. There was only a small number of cows for sale;
buffaloes and goats were scarce; I saw no sheep nor ponies for sale. Speaking generally, the animals were in very good
condition. The river was used for the purpose of watering the cattle.
The Local Veterinary Assistant, Ram Lal Bhattacharji, and the Veterinary student J. N. Mukerji, assisted me
to inspect the animals in the fair, but no trace of contagious disease was found.
The Show.—The Show was held under the anspices of the ''Sitamarhi Cattle Improvement Club," and was well
managed. The show yard was established in a large tope of trees, which afforded ample room and shade, with the
result that Judging was a pleasure rather than a labour. The pairs of big draft bullocks were not as good as last year,
but the medium size pairs and some single bullocks were good. Two single bullocks were particularly fine specimens,
and were purchased by Mr. Stevens, for Rs. 175, after securing prizes. One of these measured 10 inches below the
knee. The cows were not out of the common, except the winner of the first prize, which appeared to be a half-bred
Guzerati. The bull-buffaloes were good, the cow-buffaloes only fair. The usual driving competition was held, and several
pairs walked with ease about the rather soft ground, drawing a cart loaded with 40 to 45 maunds.
A grant of Rs. 350 was made by Government, and this was supplemented with Rs. 250 from the District Board
of Muzaffarpur. The cost of prizes and other expenses were defrayed from these funds. I have recommended that
these sums be re-allotted for the same purpose next year.
Sonepore.—The approximate number of animals was as follows:—
Sonepore Fair.
Horses and Ponies ... ...
Bullocks.
...
...
Cows ... ... ...
Buffaloes ... ... ...
Elephants
...
... ...
Camels ... ... ...
2.000 or
30,000 to
800
150
600 to
5 or
3,000
35,000
700
6
An early case of cattle plague was discovered in a calf, and I had it isolated and guarded. The disease did not
appear to spread any further during the mela. In all probability other cases will occur in the district, as cattle plague
was prevalent in Bihar quite recently.
Horses.—There were fewer horses this year, but they were rather better in quality.
Ponies were rather more numerous than last year. On the whole, their points were better. I saw one or
two very fair ponies bought for polo at Rs. 260, but they were too slow for a first-class game. The trade did not
appear to me as brisk as last year.
I detected no case of contagious disease amongst the horses or. ponies at the fair.
Cattle.—The cattle were distinctly below last year's lot in quality, though somewhat more numerous on the
chief day of the fair.
The trade was confined to native purchasers. I heard of no planters purchasing draught cattle.
Elephants.—These animals were more numerous than last year. I saw several fine tuskers.
The Show.—The show-yard was constructed upon the same plan as last year, but in a better place, and the work
of judging was less irksome. The enclosure was decorated with a few flags, and a small archway (also decorated) was
at one end of the yard. The admission tickets corresponded in colour with the placards over the standings of the
various classes. The directions to exhibitors were in vernacular and English.
The Show seems to be making progress. The number of would-be exhibitors was very large, and a great deal
of rubbish had to be turned out of the yard. There is reason to surmise that the Show was held a little too late to
catch the best cattle, which may have been sold early in the fair and removed.
The Show of cows and cow buffaloes was in quantity much larger than last year, which is very satisfactory. The
cows were mostly of the Patna breed. The cow buffaloes were very fine. The amount expended in prizes was Rs. 145,
as against Rs. 123 last year.
It might be to the interest of the people if the Show could be held earlier, so as to give them a better chance of
realizing good prices for their prize cattle.
Kalimpong Fair.
Kalimpong.—The Show grows yearly in size, thanks to the exertions of Dr. C. F. Ponder, Mr. Lister, of Peshok,
and the Committee.
Ponies.—The number of Bhutca ponies was larger than last year, and the quality was above the average. The
best ponies were better than any seen in the Fair for a number of years. The price of the best ponies was high,
Rs. 450 being refused for one.
Tatoos were not much better than last year, but two prizes were awarded as an encouragement.
Donkeys.—The specimens shown were very bad, but I awarded a prize of Rs. 2 to encourage others.
Mules.—These animals were distinctly better in quality, a number of "first class" mules being shown.