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Siripur Farm—At the end of the year there were on this farm 42 desi
cows and one stud bull besides young stock. Four bulls bred and reared on the
farm and one brahmini bull captured on tour are now fit for service and will
shortly be distributed. There are nine selected two-year old young stock,
23 weanling calves and 33 calves at heel, making a total of 113 animals in the
desi herd. Nine calves and two cows were rejected and realized Rs. 305 while
the sale of other stock brought in Rs. 720.
Four bulls were let loose in the dehat in the neighbourhood of the farm
for the purpose of improving the breed. They are placed in charge of the
rent collectors and village agents who report that they are proving very useful.
They are inspected regularly by the Veterinary Assistant. At my suggestion
some animals reared on the farm were brought to Bankipore and Muzaffarpur
shows for demonstration purposes; if possible, Bihta and Barahpore fairs will
be visited next year.
Regarding the work on this farm the year under report has shown satis-
factory results, these to a great extent being due to the interest taken in the
cattle by the Superintendent, Mr. M. Mackenzie and the staff under him.
Kalimpong.—This farm was started in January 1908 under the manage-
ment of the St. Andrew's Colonial Homes, with 28 cows and two bulls
of Siri breed, purchased in Bhutan by Government. They were sent to
Pashiting Forest for grazing during the cold weather, where one cow died.
Both the bulls and two cows were rejected and sold for Rs. 100-8. Eight
cows were brought into the farm last hot weather, one of which died after
calving. Of the other seven cows, five lost their calves and six cows and two
calves died of rinderpest. One cow only recovered.
Another bull was
purchased locally and it also died of rinderpest. Thus there are now 17 cows
at Pashiting and one at the farm. Rai Ugan Kazi Bahadur, Agent to the
Bhutan Government, has agreed to bring in from Bhutan some bulls and cows
for inspection with a view to purchase.
54. Horse and Pony Stallions.—There is only one pony stallion in the
Province. It is the property of the Hathwa Raj, and served no mares.
Bettiah and Dumraon Raj Estates propose to keep stallions for the improve-
ment of ponies on their Estates. The District Boards of Saran, Champaran,
and Muzaffarpur could do a good deal towards improving the breed of country
pony by keeping small good-boned Arabs.
55. Fairs and shows.—Tables XIII and XIV give particulars regarding
horse and cattle fairs held during the year. They were inspected either by
myself, the Inspectors or the local Veterinary Assistants.
The condition of animals at the fairs held in the Bihar districts was good;
the prices realized were no higher than in the previous year.
At Sonepur, Sitamarhi and Barahpore there is an increasing demand for
milch cows and prices are rising. Dealers are constantly going about the
Bihar districts purchasing cows for the Eastern Bengal and Calcutta markets,
where they fetch very remunerative prices. Muzaffarpur and Bankipore shows
were not a success, but Bhita appears to be holding its own chiefly owing to the
energy of the Secretary.
Five elephants were purchased at Sonepore for the Deputy Inspector-
General of Police, Berhampore, Madras; for the Government Agent, Godavari,
and for the Agent to the Government of Vizagapatam. They have given
satisfaction.
56. Biting flies.—A good beginning was made during the year in collecting
for the Imperial Entomologist, specimens of the biting flies found in this
province.
The Second Inspector, Babu P. N. Das was sent to Pusa to learn the proper
methods of mounting and preserving specimens, and afterwards was deputed"
to teach the Assistants. Fifty-three boxes containing 799 specimens were
sent to the Imperial Entomologist at Pusa for identification ; the chief species
represented being Hippobosca, Tabanus, Hæmatopota, Chrysops, Stomoxys,
Lyperosia, Hæmatobia, Philæmatoniyia, Gastrophilus and Œstrus. He remarks
that, "It is much to be hoped that it may be found possible to continue
the collecting work during the coming year, as the above-mentioned specimens
comprise several of much interest and the collection has afforded valuable
information on the distribution of blood-sucking species.''