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PART II.—PROVINCIAL REPORT.
IV.—CATTLE-BREEDING, &c.
Cattle Breeding.
979. This most important subject has not received that attention which it
deserves at the hands of Local Governments, and I feel convinced that until the
question of the Subordinate Veterinary Staff is settled and that, that staff is placed
under professional supervision, nothing will be done, except in a desultory sort of
way. To take up this question thoroughly, a most systematic organization is
required. We must first be fully acquainted with the requirements of each
district; we must know the capabilities of each in order to guide us as to the
class of cattle which it can maintain, for it will be readily understood that the same
class of cattle cannot be maintained in a district in which there is no grazing as in
one in which grazing is plentiful.
980. This is one of the points which is aimed at in carrying out the Survey
of cattle in India, a duty which is entrusted to the Assistant to the Inspector-
General, Civil Veterinary Department, working under the control of the
Inspector-General. Much is being done, and the Survey of the Punjab is now
being carried out by the first named Officer owing to the fact that the two Veteri-
nary Officers employed in that Province have but little, if any, time to devote to
this important subject. The Punjab will, therefore, be in a position to take up this
most important question of cattle-breeding as soon as the staff is complete, and when
it is placed under the supervision of an Officer, specially appointed for this purpose,
whose duties will be those connected with the diseases of cattle, of cattle-breeding,
and the supervision of the Subordinate Staff, to which, however, I shall allude hereafter.
As far as the Survey of the Punjab has been carried on up to date, there is evidence to
show that the Local Governments and District Boards would be willing to assist in
this important subject if it were only pointed out to them the class of bull required in
each district. That the matter has been allowed to remain in abeyance so long is
a matter for regret. One would naturally have thought that, irrespective of this
Department, the various Local Bodies would have seen the necessity of taking up
a question which is of so much interest to the agricultural community, and on
which the agricultural prosperity of the country depends; but one has, when
travelling through India, only to carefully watch the large herds of cattle when
grazing, and to note the wretched bulls running with them, to feel convinced that
but little attention has hitherto been paid to this subject. I have been more
forcibly struck with the necessity of dealing with this subject when considering the
reviews by the various Local Governments on the reports of last year, under this
heading.
981. In Bengal it is, I am pleased to say, receiving attention, and under the
energetic guidance, and with the professional ability shown by Veterinary-Captain
Raymond in this matter, I have no doubt but that much good will be done.
982. In the North-Western Provinces anything that is done in the way of
cattle-breeding is left to the Assistant Director of Land Records and Agriculture.
The Director in his review under this heading, makes some very useful remarks.
He states:—
That the subject of cattle-breeding has ever received anything like the attention it deserves, cannot be pre-
tended. The Veterinary Department has neither the time nor the staff to attend to the matter.
I would only mention here that while we endeavour to meet the numerous indents for bulls that are sent us,
it is not always possible to procure bulls mature for work. The owners of full grown bulls of the more valuable
breeds are most unwilling to sell and, as a rule, a good stud bull can be got only by buying it as a calf and keeping
it till it is four or five years old.
983. This evidence is of great importance, as it will guide us hereafter in
considering the supply of bulls.
984. The Director of Land Records laments the contraction of operations
generally in the Civil Veterinary Department in North-Western Provinces, but
states that it was inevitable in a year of financial stress. He further adds:—