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300. Since the last Show an enclosure has been wired off for judging,
which is convenient.
301. Very few animals appeared. The list of prize-winners is appended
(Appendix L). No prize was given for "the best horse in the Show." The
prize is evidently intended for native horse-breeders, and none of them com-
peted in this class.
302. Cattle.—The cattle brought for show were not good, but there were
more bulls brought up than usual. The buffaloes were good.
303. The goats were fair. One good buck was shown.
304. The show of rams in the sheep class was the best in the animals'
division.
305. The list of prizes is appended (Appendix LI).
306. Some of the gentlemen present took an interest in the proceedings.
Mr. George Fox. who represented the Dumraon Raj, showed a nice Arab pony
stallion, "Isinglass," and did what he could, assisted by Mrs. George Fox, to
make the proceedings a success. Mr. Birch, District Superintendent of Police,
though suffering from an injured leg, assisted in judging. Babu Hurdhyan
Singh showed the District Board pony stallion "Ruby," and besides assisting
in the judging gave us great help in other respects. Mr. Cargill presided
over the prize distribution, and Mrs. Cargill gave away the certificates.
307. The arrangements were better than last year. On the other hand,
the native gentry were only moderate in their interest. The people did not
bring their animals for show with much enthusiasm. This may be on account
of the fear that they will lose their market if they leave the mela; possibly they
had a vague fear of plague measures.
308. But we have got to face the fact that the attendance and interest
were less than before, and that, in the cattle classes at any rate, the animals
brought to the Show were decidedly below the average of those present at the
Fair.
309. The Show is a very good skeleton, but there is no life in it.
310. Having recognised the state of things, we may hope that before the
next Show we may be able to ascertain why the affair hangs fire ; then by
applying the necessary remedies, we may hope to be more successful next
time.
311. No doubt the Dumraon Raj through its able Managers, Messrs.
Charles Fox and George Fox, can do a great deal towards the end in view.
312. With regard to any future arrangements, I venture to offer one sug-
gestion : I believe the primary object of the gathering is to encourage agri-
cultural enterprise amongst the people, and the secondary object is to extend
the hospitality of Her Highness the Maharani of Dumraon to those whom
she is pleased to invite, and to have sporting competitions and so on. All
these objects are compatible, and each should have its fair share of attention,
though to do justice to them all requires time, but if any one object is to
suffer, I hope it will not be the agricultural programme.
313. Suri.—I visited this place from the 3rd to the 8th February 1898.
Although the Show was advertised to open on the 4th February nothing par-
ticular was done, owing to the fact that no exhibits appeared; and the only
members of the Committee who attended were Mr. Fischer, the Collector of
Birbhum, Babu Chandra Gati Mustaphi, and myself. The next day, the 5th,
was blank ; the 6th, Sunday, was also blank ; but on Monday, the 7th, the
exhibits arrived, and the Show filled very fairly.
314. In considering this Report the fact should be remembered that the
Show is intended to revive the quality of the animals of the district, which is
very bad, consequently one cannot expect that the class of animals exhibited
shall be good for some time to come; and, in fact, the general quality was not
good.
315. Cattle.—The bullocks were inferior, the cows were very fair; some
of the half-bred Patna bulls were bad, but one cross-bred Patna and Hissar
bull given to the Municipality by Mr. Meik was very good, and will improve
the cattle.
316. Sheep, &c.—A few sheep were shown. They were bad specimens.
There were also some goats, but of poor quality. This year poultry and
vegetables were added.