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15. (ii) Bull-rearing and breeding farms and depôts.—There are no bull-
rearing farms in the Province yet. It has been proposed to start one at Belgachia
and another at Rajshahi. Government orders on the subject are awaited. With
regard to breeding, 40 indigenous cows for Pusa farm were purchased early
in this year by this Department and one Brahimini bull was captured and
placed with them. In January, the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary
Department, when attending the Pusa conference, took the opportunity of
inspecting the herd which were at the time in low condition. He eliminated
a certain number as not being of a desirable enough stamp to experiment with.
The balance left have since picked up, and in many instances have improved
almost beyond recognition, the result of an exceptionally good spring for grass,
good feeding and general management. My thanks are due to the Director
of Pusa for carrying out my suggestions as to the general care. The young
stock—the offspring of the herd—are also thriving, but it is too early to say what
they will grow to especially as we have no idea as to their pedigree to guide us.
None of them have reached one year old. The small Montgomery herd
there appears to do well also, but they are under the entire management of the
Farm authorities.
16. The Hathwa Raj has also a breeding establishment consisting of an
extraordinarily miscellaneous collection of cattle,—indigenous (the same type
as at Pusa), Montgomeries, Hissar Government Farm, an Ayrshire bull and
cow, a said to be Guzerati bull, etc. I shall early recommend the entire
elimination of all except the indigenous breed and Montgomeries. The Hissar
cattle there do very badly, whereas the Montgomeries do well. I can give no
reason for this and it may be said to be somewhat remarkable as they both
came from a country where very similar climatic and other conditions exist.
I am rather inclined to think that a want of system in the general management
is partly the reason. The indigenous cows look well, but their young stock may
be described as rather mean. However, it may be too early to judge fairly.
17. (2) Equine8 (under local bodies)—
(i) Horse and pony stallions.—The only pony stallion in the Province
stands at the Hathwa Raj. He has served none during the year
against one last year.
(ii) Donkey stallion.—There are no donkey stallions in Bengal.
18. (3) Others.—Nil.
19. (4) Fairs and shows.—There were ten held during the year, amongst
which the following were started for the first time:—Sripur, Comilla and
Midnapore. I attended six, all of which were duly reported upon. I was
unable to visit the remaining four as their dates clashed with those I did
attend, but I sent my Inspectors to them. None of us were able to be
present at Khagra owing to misinformation having been received with regard
to the date the fair was held. Of the Imperial grant of Rs. 1,500, only
Rs. 868 were distributed in prizes. Even this amount was very liberal,
considering the class of cattle exhibited, and in most instances the money
was awarded with a view of advertising that the Government is anxious to
assist cattle-breeders to improve their stock. I am afraid the awards did
not go as often as they should to the bond fide cultivators whom we desire to
help, but to sweetmeat-sellers, dealers, and local mahajans. I shall do what
I can next year to start and try to improve matters now that I have a
better knowledge of the lie of the land and how things stand generally.
20. I must add that there was a sad want of knowledge of how to run a
fair from classifying animals to awarding the prizes. They cannot yet be left
to be managed by local committees consisting of natives. This is as a rule. So
far native gentlemen appear to me to show an entire lack of honest interest
in anything pertaining to veterinary work or cattle-breeding. I feel that
Collectors and other European officers will back me up in this opinion.
Sonepore and Bihta were the best of the lot. I mention the former, as the
Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, was present at it and saw how
matters stood and how confusion reigned at the judging. There was no room
for the judges to examine the exhibits and insufficient room for the exhibits.
I do not suppose one-tenth of the cattle at this fair competed. Bihta I mention
for the reason that it was the exception where a native—an ex-Deputy Collector
—worked hard and well in assisting to run the fair. His efforts were