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50. Other research work has been carried out at the Bengal Veterinary
College during the year and duly communicated to Government.
CATTLE FAIRS, SHOWS, &c.
51. Of the several fairs of Bengal, I have been able to attend three, viz.,
Kalimpong, Sonepur and Barahpur. I could not attend the Suri fair in the
absence of sufficiently early notice. The Sitamarhi fair was visited by
Mr. H. A. Foy, a Lecturer of the College. The reports of the Kalimpong,
Sonepur and Sitamarhi fairs were submitted in this office letters Nos. 44 V. D.,
dated the 6th January 1900, 54V.D., dated the 6th January 1900, and
1154V.D., dated the 18th May 1899, respectively, and copies were for-
warded to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department. I have
submitted a report of the Barahpur fair in this office letter No. 5.V.D./T.,
dated the 4th April 1900. The Magistrate of Shahabad has also furnished
me with a copy of his report on the latter fair, from which it appears that
the number of animals present at the fair was 33,403, of which 27,617 are
cattle, 1,888 horses and 3,898 ponies and buffaloes, and that a sum of
Its. 1,342-10-6 was realised as fees from them.
The Collector of Birbhum has forwarded a report on the Suri fair, which
is reproduced in condensed form in Appendix XXII. The show was held from
12th to 14th February, both days inclusive. A Committee of management was
formed under the presidency of Mr. A. Ahmed, c.s., Magistrate and Collector.
The show appears to have been a success, and there never seems to be any
difficulty in collecting funds to support it. I have asked the President to give
me earlier notice next year, so that I may attend.
HORSE AND PONY BREEDING IN BENGAL.
52. Bettiah.—A proposal has been made by the Collector of Champaran
for the purchase of a pony stallion to be kept at Bettiah for breeding,
and the Manager, Bettiah Estate, has undertaken to make the experiment.
The Magistrate asked for my opinion as to the class of stallion best suited
for the purpose, and I have recommended a high caste Arab pony stallion
from Bombay. I learn from recent correspondence that Government has not
sanctioned the purchase.
53. Backergunge.—The Collector of Backergunge enquired at what price
a Burmese stallion could be supplied for the Dakhin Shahbazpur Ward's Estate
in order to improve the local breed of ponies. Enquiries having shown that a
good Burmese stallion cannot easily bo obtained, I recommended that an Arab
pony stallion standing not more than 13 hands might be tried. The General
Manager, Court of Wards, Backergunge, has requested me to procure a stallion
of the class recommended.
54. Pabna.— The Collector of Pabna asked me if I could supply some
young stallions for breeding purposes. A pony stallion was available at Kalim-
pong, but owing to the delay in remittance, the pony was sold. Another
stallion was available at Darjeeling belonging to Mr. Buchanan of Phoobser-
ing, and the Collector was requested to correspond with him direct in regard to
the settlement of price, &c, so as to save time. I was informed later that
the Board of Revenue had disallowed the purchase of a pony stallion.
55. Buxar.—Babu Hardhyan Singh in charge of the pony stallion
"Ruby" reports that during the year under review, 30 mares were served by
the stallion, against 57 in the preceding year (Appendix XXIII). As regards
the results of the coverings, Hardhyan Babu says that they are not ascertained,
as the mares generally come from distant places and the owners do not give any
information unless they have occasion to come with their mares for a second
covering. The cost of feed, keep, attendants, &c., of the stallion during the
year under report was Rs. 206-12-9, against Rs. 200-3-3 of the preceding year
(Appendix XXIV).
DONKEY STALLION AT GUNTAK.
56. The Political Officer of Sikkim reports that prior to his going on eight
months' leave, he ordered the donkey stallion "Charak" on the 11th of March
1899 to be taken up to Luchung and Lachen, but his locum tenens held the