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loose in some distant village where they would not be likely to mix with their
own blood. The first thing to be done however is to prohibit the indiscriminate
custom of turning loose young bull calves as "poon" without authorised permission.
This custom in itself is an excellent one, and should be encourged among the
well to do classes, but only selected young animals should be permitted. I make
a very strong point of this. Why should wretched and undersized bull calves be
turned loose to feed at the expense of the cultivators and to do them further harm
by serving their cows. Yet this is what occurs almost daily, to the continued
detriment of the agricultural stock.
1024. The plan which has been above suggested should not prove a difficult
matter, particularly if an order could be issued permitting only good selected
young males being turned loose as "poon."
1025. All bulls should be allowed entire liberty. Cows would then be
served directly they were ready, and consequently the percentage of pregnant
animals would then be greatly increased.
1026. The headmen of the village should be held responsible that the bulls
were not ill used, and information should at once be sent to the District Veterinary
Assistant in case the bull needed medical assistance. A register of all bulls issued
should be kept by the Veterinary Assistant who would be required to submit a
quarterly report stating:—
1. The age of the bull.
2. His general condition.
3. Whether he is popular with the zemindars.
4. If he is a good stockgetter.
5. The quality of the cows in the herd.
6. The quality of the young stock.
1027. I would again reiterate that no bull should be kept up for the reasons
already given. There is no necessity for District Boards to subscribe to the
maintenance of bulls as they would have fully done their duty by supplying them,
and those who obtain the value of the bull's services should at least allow him to
graze in their fields. There is no doubt that bulls keep in better health when
allowed to roam at large.
CATTLE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Burma.
1028. Veterinary Captain Evans, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, Burma, reports as follows:—
Three Shows were held during the year, two agricultural and one horticultural.
The two former were held in the Minbu and Tharrawaddy districts, respectively. Mr. Batlivala attended
the Show held at Kywede in Minbu on the 7th March, and I attended the Show held at Letpadan, Tharrawaddy
district, on the 9th March.
The Horticultural Show was held at Moulmein, Amherst district.
Tharrawaddy.—This Show was held at Letpadan on the 9th March during the Pagoda festival. The Deputy
Commissioner and other Officers concerned, spared no pains or trouble to make the Show attractive and a success.
The attendance was very large indeed, no doubt, in a great measure due to the concessions granted by the Railway
Authorities to exhibitors and visitors attending the Show. For the entertainment of the public the Deputy Com-
missioner had provided all manner of amusements and sports, which were much appreciated. In his report on the
Show the Deputy Commissioner remarks that 'he feels confident that next year's Show will prove a very marked
improvement over the one held this year, provided it is notified in time.' I quite agree with him, and I see no
reason why ample notice should not be given.
There is little doubt that Letpadan is the best station for the Show, as it is convenient for most people and
I feel sure the Railway Authorities will again be good enough to grant special concessions to exhibitors and
visitors. Many Burmans entertain quaint ideas regarding exhibits, some think freaks of nature are calculated
to bring them prizes, others that wild animals are what is required. This year a crocodile (alive) measuring 9 feet,
packed in wet straw, and a rhinoceros hornbill were among the exhibits.
In the cattle classes there was a marked improvement not only in the large number of exhibits, but in the
greater proportion of good animals, 120 animals were brought for exhibition. The few buffaloes brought to the
Show were superior animals, better than any I have seen on previous occasions. A few ponies were exhibited.
As with the cattle there was a decided improvement in quality. Some half a dozen goats, and three or four wretched
looking, half starved, milch cows, the property of natives of India, were exhibited. No pigs were exhibited, in
future it may be advisable to offer prizes for pigs to encourage the breeding of these really useful animals. There
are pigs of several breeds in different parts of the Province, and even among the general stock some good animals
may be seen. Chinamen and Burmese are very partial to pork. With a little trouble the quality of the pigs
generally could be greatly improved, and when care is taken, good bacon and hams could be made, with careful
storage can be kept sweet and good for a reasonable time. The Yunnanese are alive to this industry. This may
be realized by noticing the numbers of hams, &c., brought in by the Chinese caravans to Bhamo, and which find a
ready sale amongst the Chinese, Burmese, &c. At present nearly all the breeding, &c. done in Burma is carried on
by Chinamen who simply kill their pigs, sell the pork and find it remunerative. The exhibits of paddy, &c., were
good, some of the samples being very heavy. The display of fishing appliances was decidedly good. Only a few
agricultural implements were exhibited.
In future Shows certain improvements might be made, namely, that all exhibits should be properly labelled.
The label should show the name of exhibitor, village, and in the case of fruits, garden produce, fishing appliances,
&c., what the exhibit is. This would make the Show more intelligible and interesting to the visitors.