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70. I append for information a statement showing the number of cows
maintained since 1906 and the calves born together with the percentage of male
to female and the number of rejections and the percentage:—
YEAR.
1906-07 ...
1907-08 ...
1908-09 ...
1909-10 ...
Cow maintain-
ed during the
year.
24
31
42
42
CALVES BORN.
Male.
11
20
28
23
Female.
12
11
14
19
PERCENTAGE OF
CALVES BORN.
Male.
45.8
64.5
66.6
54.7
Female.
50.0
35.5
33.3
45.2
REJECTIONS.
Male
calves.
7
6
1
Female
calves.
6
3
4
PERCENTAGE OF
REJECTIONS.
Male
calves.
63.
30.0
3.6
Female
calves.
50.0
27.2
71
No rejections made, being too
young as yet.
71. This statement is of very great value as showing the improvement
that has taken place in the herd since the farm was put under European
supervision and what may be expected of carefully selected desi cows and bulls.
72. At my request the Manager of the estate was kind enough to allow 15
farm bred desi cows, bulls and heifers to be exhibited at the Tirhut Exhibition
held at Muzaffarpur in January last. Arrangements have been made to
exhibit them at several other large shows and fairs during next cold
weather.
73. Buffaloes.—Attention must also be called to the improvement which
has taken place in the dehati buffaloes as a result of their being crossed with
the farm Punjabi bulls. It was intended to purchase four more bulls from
the Punjab during the year, one only however could be secured owing to the
difficulty in procuring suitable animals. Four Punjabi buffalo cows were
purchased. The stud buffalo bulls covered 118 cows during the season ; many
had to be turned away. Some young buffalo bull calves will be fit for service
during the coming year and will be sent to different parts of the estate.
74. Jamunnpari buck goats.—The same difficulty occurred in procuring
these goats, as in the case of the buffaloes, but it is hoped that they will be
procured during the coming year, as it is my intention to depute an up-country
Inspector to the Punjab for the purpose.
75. As an experiment I have taken four bull calves from the Pusa herd
and brought them to Siripur to note how the change of soil and climate would
effect them. So far they have improved considerably.
76. The total expenditure of the farm amounts to Rs. 15,575-4-3, while
receipts including, the valuation of the bulls turned into the dehat and the
sale of young stock, etc., amounted to Rs. 14,326-6-10. A severe out-break
of foot-and-mouth disease occurred during the fall of the year, but was
quickly suppressed. The successful year's work carried out on the farm
reflects the greatest credit on Mr. Mackenzie and the staff under him,
all of whom take the keenest interest in the success of the herd.
77. Bettiah farm.—Owing to the insufficiency of grazing and want of
funds the Inspector-General of Agriculture, Pusa, decided last year to give
up the desi herd of cattle and to present it to this Department. As no
provision for the herd had been made or was likely to be obtained in
the near future, it was decided to make it over unconditionally to the
Court of Wards, Bettiah, for the purpose of starting a cattle farm which
the Manager of the estate had previously intended to establish.
78. The herd consists of one bull, 45 cows and 43 young stock together
with four bulls which were sent to Siripur to be reared. Since its arrival
at Bettiah on the 4th of February 12 calves were born, of which three died.
79. The place where it is intended the farm should be established is at
Manjheria, about four miles from head-quarters. It consists of a large island
connected to the mainland in the dry weather by narrow neck of land. It
was used by the Maharani of Bettiah as a pinjrapole, but has been very kindly
placed by her at the disposal of the Manager as a site for the proposed
farm.