187
"I have now shown that good bulls are required and in numbers. I have
shown that we cannot get them now. The remedy seems to be that Bengal
should breed her own bulls, providing it can be proved to be remunerative
when all things are considered: with this object in view, information is being
collected and estimates prepared for submission to Government.
"The Bankipur cross-bred cattle.—This breed is useful for its milk. As
the breed is deteriorating, it has been suggested that Anglo-Australian blood
should be imported to refresh it. There appears to be no objection to this, and
I would be glad to assist the Municipality to procure bulls, which might be paid
for out of the local funds. I have, however, to observe that a prolonged quar-
antine will be necessary in order to avoid all danger of Tick Plague being im-
ported by the bulls from Australia.
" Siri cross-bred cattle.—Four bulls, the progeny of the Sikhim Anglo-
Australian sire and of Siri cows, are to be distributed in the Darjeeling district,
where bulls are badly required to improve the milking properties of the cattle."
Cattle Fairs and
Shows.
753. It is very satisfactory to be able to report that considerable improve-
ment has taken place this year with regard to the Veterinary inspection of
animals at cattle fairs. In Madras 22 of the largest cattle fairs were visited by
the stock inspectors who paid particular attention to the isolation of animals
affected with contagious cattle-disease. Had this been done in the Bellary
district at the fair held in the Hudagalli Taluk in 1894, a vast number of
animals would have been saved. Instead of which the disease (Rinderpest)
gradually spread until it reached alarming proportions. Four of the largest
fairs in Bengal have been visited personally by the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, Bengal, and Veterinary Assistants aided him in his work
of inspection. It is suggested that other fairs in Bengal, where large numbers
of animals are collected, might be inspected now that there are passed Veteri-
nary Assistants available. The importance of veterinary inspection at these
fairs cannot be too highly estimated, because a few cases of contagious disease
may be the means of spreading a serious epidemic among animals in the
surrounding country, which, if detected and segregated in the first instance,
would have been prevented. The occurrence of contagious diseases at these
gatherings is of very serious moment, and may cause the loss not only of large
numbers of cattle, but the land is left uncultivated for want of ploughing
power. A new show has been inaugurated in Bengal in the Birbhum district.
A committee of officials and native gentlemen have proposed to hold an annual
cattle show, and award prizes for the best exhibits obtained in the district.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, who attended the show, stated
that the arrangements were quite satisfactory. By increasing the number of
shows the scheme for the improvement of cattle must be stimulated. At this
show it was noted that few cattle collected on the first day, but the number
rapidly increased as the cattle owners gained confidence. The past year has
been one of great scarcity and considerable hardship to the poor cattle, many
of which are reported to have died of starvation. This is, however, an excep-
tional year, and it is to be hoped that the coming season will be fruitful, so
that the animals may recover their ordinary robust condition.
BALUCHISTAN.
754. Quetta Cattle Fair.—This fair commenced on the 9th October 1896 :
165 cattle were exhibited at the show against 120 last year. There were no
sales. Thirty cattle and 5 carts won prizes worth R150. Most of the animals
brought were from Kachhi, obtained by purchase from breeders.
Sibi Cattle Fair.—This fair commenced on the 4th and terminated on
the 7th January 1897 : 194 cattle, including sheep and camels, attended the
fair, of which 125 were sold at a cost of R7,272. Prizes were awarded as
follows:—Bulls R50, cows R40, oxen in pairs R75. The cattle were brought
from Nari and Bhag Kachhi (Kalat Agency) and were taken to Quetta
and Karachi. In only the Nari tract of Baluchistan in Sibi Tehsil cattle are
bred and well cared for. This fair is likely to develop if officers purchasing
for Government attend it every year.