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available as to their produce. In addition to the above, 8 Khillari bulls—
4 for Poona District, 3 for East Khándesh and 1 for the Dángs of Surat—were
purchased at the last Nagoba Cattle Fair in the Sátára District through this
Department. There is a demand for good Khillari bulls, but they are difficult
to procure even at the high prices now paid.
II.—BULL REARING AND BREEDING FARMS AND DEPÔT.
51. The Northcote Cattle Farm, Chharodi, continued under the supervision
of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department. Veterinary Assistant
P. V. Nagarshet held charge as manager during the year under report. The
buildings sanctioned in Government Resolution, Revenue Department, No. 3619,
dated 6th April 1908, have been nearly completed and there is now accommoda-
tion for all the farm establishment. The herd maintained at this farm consists
of cattle of the Kánkrej breed, the purest type of Gujarát cattle. The main
object of the farm is to breed bulls of pure blood for distribution among herds
of Gujarat where there has been a deficiency since the great famine of 1909.
This object is being achieved as 5 bulls were sold to the people of Viramgám
through the District Deputy Collector in charge Viramgám Táluka, 2 to the Pre-
sident, District Local Board, Ahmedabad, 1 to the Mámlatdar of Bárdoii, and
1 to Mr. Nariman B. Kothawala, thereby realising a sum of Rs. 1,768. The
live-stock at the farm consists of 400 head of cattle against 323 last year. Of
these, 4 are stud bulls, 198 cows, 61 heifers, 69 young bulls, 3 young bullocks,
28 female calves, 26 male calves, and 11 bullocks. There were 111 calves
dropped during the year (of these 59 were bull-calves and 52 heifer-calves)
against 60 last year. There were 16 casualties during the year against 14 last
year. One stud bull, 2 young bulls, 1 cow and 4 heifers died of Anthrax, one
young calf of Foot and Mouth disease, one bullock of Hæmorrhagic
Seplicæmia and 6 others of non-contagious disease. There were three
outbreaks of contagious diseases at the farm, viz., Anthrax, Foot and
Mouth disease and Hæmorrhagic Septicæmia but mortality was slight.
Anthrax was arrested by the prompt use of Anti-Anthrax Serum with
which 351 cattle were protected. Two stud bulls having died, one of Anthrax
and the other of impaction of the stomach, three were purchased at Rádhaupur,
two to replace those that had died and a third one to run with the herd of suckling
cows, as it was considered the former practice of keeping these cows from a bull
until their calves were weaned at 8 months of age, entailed great loss of time
and increased expenditure. During the year under report the following
requirements have been supplied to the farm :—
(a) A crush has been built for the branding of the cattle.
(b) Arrangements have been made for a supply of water to protect
the hay stacks in case of lire occurring,
(c) The wire fencing round the boundary of the farm commenced
last year has been completed. I am of opinion that this should have been
of a much more substantial nature than the one put down.
(d) All the rails and fences of the stock yards have been repaired
and tarred, also the corrugated iron roofs of the buildings.
(e) A permanent Mistri has been appointed and a small workshop
fitted up.
(f) Steps have been taken to close the various roads running
through the farm as these have been productive of fire, theft, and several
outbreaks of contagious disease.
(g) The wells have been repaired and increased facilities for watering
the cattle during the hot weather have been carried out.
(h) During the year tenders for the supply of grain etc. were called
for and a contract made.
(i) Standing orders for the systematic working of the office and farm
have been drawn up.