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The few mouthfuls which he takes here and there is not taken any notice of
by the zemindars, and no body feels the cost of his keep, and long experience goes to
show that bulls enjoying perfect freedom serve better, are more sure stockgetters,
keep in infinitely better condition and last longer than those confined. Besides
which, they cost nothing to keep. The District Board of Etah states that it
does not wish to purchase bulls at present with the funds at its disposal, as they
do not seem sufficient to bear the cost of maintenance.
This argument appears to run all through the answers given by the District
Boards. It cannot therefore be too strongly represented that it is quite unneces-
sary to maintain bulls; it is only expected that the bulls should be provided by the
Boards for the benefit of cattle owners, and the bulls should then be maintained on the
lands of the zemindars for whose special benefit the sires were obtained. This
is only fair. Not only is it unnecessary to maintain bulls, but I go further and
say that it is harmful to keep up bulls. Besides it is well known that some
bulls will not serve properly in captivity. Stalled bulls very frequently become
vicious and dangerous to both men and beast, and they fall off in power of the
loins, which become narrow and mean through want of exercise.
Punjab.
1007. In the Punjab almost every district possesses large numbers of Hissar
bred bulls which freely roam about with the herds from year's end to year's end. They
become great pets of the villagers, are extremely docile and are always in splendid
condition. The people do not mind their grazing here and there in their fields
because they give them a good return in getting superior young stock. In this way
they are no expense to the District Boards, and are of very great service to the
cattle owners and agriculturists.
Central.
Provinces.
1008. The late Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Central
Provinces, Veterinary Lieutenant Trydell collected information concerning the
breeds of cattle from the districts of Nagpur, Seoni, Jabbalpur, Mandla, Domoh,
Narsingpur, Saugor, Chindwara, Warda, Bhandara and at the Singaji and Rajim
Fairs, where he believed that the best cattle were to be found.
1009. The distinct breeds are said to be Paraspani, Jeytpur, and Arvi.
The ordinary cattle are not bred in the usual acceptation of the term. The sires
of all stock are the offspring of the herds with which, they roam are considered suitable
for emaculation. The cows are only of value for reproduction, their milking
qualities being practically nil. They are seldom slaughtered, and are allowed
to breed as long as they can. From the description it will, therefore, be noted
that selection of either sex for the purpose of improving a herd is rarely resorted
to, and these taken together with the fact that during a greater portion of the
year grazing (only supplemented with a minimum quantity of grain whilst
working) is quite insufficient to maintain an animal with proper nourishment.
The Superintendent considers the reasons for the inferiority of the herds to be:—
(a) Insufficient food especially for cows which are rarely stall fed thereby
diminishing their yield of milk to an extremely small quantity.
This necessitates the calves taking to grazing before their digestive
system is capable of assimilating such food, especially when they
happen to be dropped at times when there is little grazing, and even
that of an innutritious description.
(b) Cows being allowed to breed as long as they are able.
(c) Absence of suitable bulls.
(d) Neglecting to separate the young males from the herds.
1010. In the rice growing districts the cattle are decidedly inferior to
those seen elsewhere.
1011. The three breeds already mentioned are said to present the same
or very similar features, and it is considered that they must have originated from
the same stock. Selected bullocks of the Arvi breed (Wardha district) when
well fed are said to grow into fine animals, but the cows are small creatures.
The Paraspani and Jeytpur breeds (Chindwara district) have excellent cows but
the young male stock are usually sold when about a year or two old and only
a few are retained for the purpose of serving.