183
The indigenous bulls are, as a rule, ill-shapen and degenerate beasts them-
selves; how then is it to be expected that they are likely to improve the breed
of cattle. The usual custom prevails of turning a young bull calf loose as
" pun " on the death of a relative by wealthy Hindus, but the majority of this
class, principally Bunias, do not turn loose their best bull calf but their worst,
and this ultimately grows up and becomes the village bull. If only good
young bulls were turned loose, one or two annually, and the price of the calf
paid to the owner by the community, we should soon have no cause to complain
of the indigenous bulls.
North-Western
Provinces.
751, These Provinces have done something towards the improvement of
their cattle, and considerable interest has been shown by Mr. Wyer, the Magis-
trate of Meerut, who has done much to popularise the best breeds of cattle.
The Superintendent, North-Western Provinces, addressed letters to the
Chairman of each District Board, asking for certain information with regard
to cattle-breeding, and requesting to know in each case if they were willing to
purchase a bull for breeding purposes. The nature of the replies received was
as follows:—
Aligarh.
(a) There are no bulls belonging to the District Board in the district,
several private gentlemen have, however, bought such bulls from
Government. The Board would like to buy and maintain one
bull at least for each tehsil, but the Board are unable to say
whether they have the funds for this purpose until Government
decides what the exact financial condition of the Board is to be.
Ghaizpur.
(b) The District Board has no funds at its disposal from which to pay
expenses of bulls; were funds provided by Government, the Dis-
trict Board would gladly take charge of such animals.
Hardoi.
(c) As there is at present a bull kept by the District Board, there is no
necessity for another.
Naini Tal.
(d) There is one Hissar bull at Kashipur in this district. This bull was
supplied through the Director of Land Records and Agriculture.
At present no bulls are required for this district.
Etawa.
(e) The bulls here are sufficient and of good quality, and therefore it is
not desirable to purchase any bull for breeding purpose.
Besides a Kosi bull lately supplied by Government, there are other private
bulls of indigenous and Hissar breeds.
Pertabgarh.
( f ) As the approved Budget has not yet been received, the Board is
unable to state definitely what it will be able to do. But, in the
opinion of the members, a trial might be made at head-quarters,
and a bull of a small but strong and active class purchased as a
commencement.
Meerut.
(g) T. R. Wyer, Esq., the Collector of Meerut, writes:—
" The subject of cattle-breeding in the district has been receiving my attention since my arrival here
in 1894, when I indented for two Hissar bulls for the first time, one for the Demonstration Farm, Meerut,
and one for the Hapur Rearing Depôt. In 1895 I obtained a further supply of two bulls, one from Banda
district through the Director of Land Records, and one from Hissar, and purchased one from the Murari Lall
Court of Ward's estate at the Nauchandi Fair.
" These five bulls were distributed as under :—
" To Demonstration Farm at Meerut to be maintained at the expense of the Farm .
" Babugarh Rearing Depôt to be maintained at the expense of the Depôt . .
" Murari Lall Court of Ward's estate to be maintained at the expense of the estate .
" Shibba Singh of Balaini to be maintained at his expense . . . . .
" Shaikh Wahiduddin to be maintained at his expense . . . . .
TOTAL .
1
1
1
1
1
5