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PART II.-PROVINCIAL REPORT.
IV.—CATTLE-BREEDING, ETC.
CATTLE FAIRS AND SHOWS
Introductory.
522. A perusal of the following remarks will, I fear, show that sufficient
attention is not paid to this part of the work entrusted to a Department which
counts amongst its most important duties those connected with the welfare of
the cattle of the country, but I beg to submit that its officers have done their
utmost even in this direction. There can be no doubt that we work very
short-handed, when the important matters entrusted to us are considered, still
I hope that when once the extra officers that are sanctioned are appointed and
when the Subordinate Veterinary Establishment is decided upon, we shall be
able to interest ourselves in all such questions as these.
523. The subject is one intimately connected with cattle-breeding and much
useful information can be obtained by attending the large collections of cattle
which take place in the various provinces. If only for this reason the atten-
tion of the Superintendents should be directed by the Local Governments to
the importance of their attending cattle fairs whenever their duties will allow
of their doing so.
North-Western
Provinces.
524. The Superintendent appears to have attended only the cattle fair held
at Batesar. This also was in connection with his duties affecting horse and mule
breeding, which occupy the whole of his time. It is, however, gratifying to
note that attention was paid to the detection of contagious diseases by the
deputation of Veterinary Assistants, and that only three cases of foot and mouth
disease are reported to have occurred.
Punjab.
525. Very large cattle fairs are held in this province, but until the third
Superintendent is appointed but little can be done to supervise these important
gatherings, as the time of both the Superintendents at present employed is so
fully occupied with matters connected with horse and mule breeding.
526. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
attended no cattle fairs: the Superintendent, South Punjab, however, was able
to be present at those held at Amritsar (Dewali and Baisakhi), Rewari and
Sirsa.
Baluchistan.
527. Two small cattle shows are held in this Agency, but they are insigni-
ficant, especially that held at Quetta. At that held at Sibi, bullocks of the
celebrated Naribreed attend, but only in small numbers. Two hundred and
twenty-one were present this year at which time the Commissariat Department
were able to purchase 45 head at prices ranging from R65 to R99.
Bengal.
528. More is done in this direction in Bengal. The Superintendent was
able to attend Kalimpong, Sonepore and Barahpur, whilst a Lecturer of the
College attended that held at Sitamarhi.
529. At Sitamarhi, between 30 and 35 thousand head of cattle were present.
They are reported as being good: the prices for good cart bullocks ranged from
R120 to R160 and for plough bullocks from R75 to R120 per pair.
Madras.
530. The Stock Inspectors attend as many fairs and weekly markets as
possible. They assist the Revenue Officers in arranging the fair ground and
in carrying out Act 11 of 1866: they also treat cases of illness. Few cases of
contagious disease were recorded as occurring at these fairs, for I find that
whilst 7 fairs were attended and at which about 90,000 head of cattle were
offered for sale, only 53 cases of foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest and
anthrax occurred. Of these, 6 died, viz., 2 from anthrax, 3 from rinderpest
and 1 from foot-and-mouth disease.
Worth-Western
Provinces.
CATTLE-BREEDING,
531. But little is done in these provinces to improve the breed of cattle.
Returns from only five districts were received and these only show 9 bulls
employed.
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