(5)
It has therefore been decided to hand over this branch of work to the
Agricultural department and from next year it will be controlled by a special
officer for the purpose, to be designated Deputy Director of Agriculture for cattle-
breeding.
(ii) Bull-rearing and breeding farms and dépôts.
See table IX.
40. Kheri cattle farm.—There
are at present 284 head of cattle on the
farm. No purchases were made during the year, as it was found necessary to
eliminate some of the old stock and to re-brand the herds before making any fur-
ther additions, Twenty-four bulls were issued to districts and 24 more are
awaiting delivery. The mortality during the year was four only, viz. 3 cows and
1 bull calf. The farm was free from epidemics and the health of cattle has been
generally good.
41. Considerable additions and alterations have been made in the buildings
at a cost of Rs. 5,166. These were very necessary, as there was no accommodation
for the farm employes who up to this time had been living in chupper houses, and
suffered greatly during the monsoon weather. An ensilage tower is under cons-
truction with a capacity about 5,000 maunds, for preserving and testing the
utility of jungle grasses to provide for famine years.
42. One hundred and forty-one aores of land were put under cultivation at
a cost of Rs. 2,283, which yielded a return of 9,97,368 lbs. grain and fodder, the
market value of which was Rs. 5,454. This together with the grazing entirely
fed the stock through the year leaving a balance in hand of 2,94,344 lbs. Lucerne
and rhodes grass will continue to yield a green crop until the monsoon com-
mences.
43. Experiments have been carried out to ascertain how to improve the
soil which is of a very sandy nature and deficient in humus.
44. The farm has suffered much inconvenience and loss during the year
under review owing to the severe sickness that was prevalent amongst the farm
employés and also the neighbouring villagers from which labour was generally
procurable in normal times. In order to overcome the difficulties of the labour
question and to improve the soil of the farm, a motor tractor is being obtained
and a portable oil engine and pumping plant will be installed as early as possible.
See table IX.
45. Madhuri Kund cattle farm.—At the close of the year there were 273
cattle on the farm. Twenty-five Were purchased during the year. Thirty-eight
stud bulls were either sold or issued to district boards, municipal bodies or private
persons. The loss from all causes during the year only amounted to eleven and
the health of cattle was good, considering the bad time they had passed through
during the early part of the year.
46. There have been considerable additions and alterations made to the
existing buildings and new servants' quarters and sheep houses have been built
during the year at a cost of Rs. 10,116.
47. Ninety-eight acres of land were double-cropped during the year at a
cost of Rs. 4,600, which in return yielded an outturn of 9,18,523 lbs. of grain and
fodder, the market value of which was Rs. 7,156. This, with the grazing, fed
the farm stock through the year and left a balance in hand of 1,37,480 lbs. The
outturn was not as good as anticipated owing to the influenza epidemic, followed
by malarial fever from which the farm employes suffered very badly. At one
period it was practically impossible to obtain labour for cultivation, hence sowings
were late. Experiments were carried out to ascertain the best method of ridding
the land of the soda and also to find out what manure was most suitable. Silage
was successfully made from the kkarif crop and was relished by the cattle. It is
proposed to put in a much larger quantity the coming season if conditions are
favourable. Great improvement in the cultivation has been made in the year.
Sugarcane has been put down with a view of giving a green ration all the year
round and at least two cuttings each year for three consecutive years.
It is intended that as soon as the motor tractor is obtained, to put enough
land under cultivation to provide root crops to meet the demands of our herds.
48. On the transfer of district cattle-breeding operations to the Agricultural
department these farms will continue to act as supplying dépôts for stud bulls
until such time as the Agricultural department have established their own institu-
tions.