9
the feed and keep of cattle. The barley, which was sown at the end of Sep-
tember 1898, can be described as having been a fairly successful crop, though
a good deal of damage was done to the ears by birds and hail. Seven maunds
twelve seers of barley seed were sown and the resultant was fifty maunds, four
seers of grain and 70 maunds, 34 seers of bhoosa. The bhoosa, in particular,
was very useful coming as it did in May when the hay supply was exhausted.
The land which had been cleared at Ritani during the winter was sown with
jowar and a quantity of this seed was also sown at Muktesar and Surmanes-
war. From 36 maunds of jowar planted 416 maunds of dry straw (Churry)
were obtained, this latter was the staple food of the Laboratory cattle during
the last winter and work could not have progressed without it. However,
both it and the grass collected, will be finished by the middle of April and after
that the cattle will have to be fed on young oak leaves instead of grass. It
should be mentioned that, in addition to churry, grass or oak shoots, the cattle
are accustomed to get a ration of grain. Only 16 seers of grain were collected
from the jowar. At this elevation, jowar does not produce much grain but the
main endeavour is to get plenty of straw for use as fodder. This churry takes
the place of grass which is so difficult to obtain in any quantity in this
locality ; as a forage it is preferable to the grass grown near Muktesar.
A small quantity of Mandwa seed was also sown last summer : 14 seers
of seed produced 6 maunds of grain and 40 maunds of straw. Mandwa
(Gleusine coracana) is grown largely in the locality and does well at Muktesar
(7,500). Its straw, however, is not of the same value as fodder for cattle as
jowar (Sorghum vulgare) and the cattle do not care for it. It thrives best,
however, at the lower elevation of Ritani (6,000 feet), and this year more
ground having been cleared during the winter, the jowar crop will be confined
to that locality.
A small quantity of imphee seed has also been obtained for trial during
the ensuing summer. It is hoped and expected that a good crop will result,
and it makes a most excellent forage for cattle. The expense incurred in get-
ting jowar and imphee seed to Muktesar is a serious item, but as the importance
of fodder crops cannot be overestimated, it has to be met. It is unfortunate
that sufficient seed cannot be obtained from the jowar crop to sow the follow-
ing year, as in addition to the economical side of the question, the seed would
probably get somewhat acclimatised and better crops result. The small
quantity of jowar seed obtained last autumn will be sown and it will be noted
if the crop from it is better than that from the imported seed.
The winter crops, barley and oats were sown last autumn, owing partly
to the drought and partly to the seed having been sown too late from scarcity
of labour, the crops are poor. The oats both at Ritani and Muktesar may prove
a fair crop though somewhat short in the straw, but the barley except for a
few acres sown in season at Muktesar is quite a failure. The cattle have been
allowed to eat the barley off the ground at Ritani and the land is being pre-
pared for jowar. Owing to the scarcity of forage, the oats will probably have
to be cut before they are ripe and given green. It has been practically decid-
ed that instead of attempting to take two crops yearly off the land, the
summer crops such as jowar, mandwa, etc., will be grown at Ritani where they
thrive best and the winter crops barley, oats, etc., at Muktesar. This will give
the labour an opportunity of utilizing all the available manure and working
the land thoroughly in the interim. Arrangements were made last year to
have the land under cultivation measured after the rains, but as all moneys
available were taken for re-stocking the Laboratory after the fire, the idea was
given up. This very necessary work will probably be done during the follow-
ing summer."
" During the rains (27th August to 11th September 1899), about 243
maunds of green grass was cut and put into a silo pit which had been prepared
as an experiment. The silo was opened in February 1900 and although the
upper portion of the ensilage was found to be mouldy and unfit for food, the
lower portion turned out to be good and sweet ensilage, and was relished by the
cattle. The experiment was therefore partially successful and if another year
greater pressure is applied and that promptly, the preparation of ensilage can
probably be made very successful."