( 6 )
purchasers and keepers as to the method of utilizing the services of the two classes
of bulls, viz., of the submontane and western breeds which are entirely different in
their nature and habits and each requires a different line of treatment.
Class (1) viz., those bred at the Kheri farm, are of a semi-wild disposition,
and cannot be managed in the same way as the more domesticated breeds. It has
been found that the best way to deal with them is to allow them to roam with the
herds of cows of the selected groups of villages they are used to. Any system of
restraint, confinement, or treatment different to that met with in their natural
state, makes them vicious and bad coverers. In order to overcome this difficulty
it has been arranged to send men of the farm who fully understand the handling
of them to remain with the bulls until such time the keeper understands the
management and the bulls mix with the herds.
In dealing with the other class (2) of cattle, different treatment may be
accorded them, and here the most satisfactory way of using the bulls seems to be
to locate them in such places as the cows are most suitable and their services most
required under some responsible person, preferably of the zamindar class and a
man who understands animals, rather than under a person, simply because he is
a Government official whose knowledge of cattle is often limited. There should
be a herdsman or attendant of the Ahir or Gwala class.
Some disappointment has been experienced in the mortality amongst the
English cattle imported last year. Despite careful treatment and inoculation
against most of the animal plagues several of these animals developed piroplasma
in a virulent form and succumbed to the same. It is satisfactory to add that the
animals were all insured thus saving Government considerable loss.
48. Two more Ayrshire bulls have been imported and have been put to
work.
49. The Civil Veterinary department during the last eight years has been the
means of initiating the first systematic scheme of cattle-breeding operations in
the province and has not only established the breeding farms but has introduced
the system of locating stud bulls all over the province for the use of breeders which
promises to be very successful. It has furthermore started registers of breeding
certificates of produce, etc, which are greatly appreciated by breeders. In the
future however this work must of necessity rapidly increase and in consequence
of the paucity of supervising officers and the enormous demand on their time, in
dealing with the technical duties of the department in the control and treatment
of disease it would be impossible without very considerable increase in the
superior staff to continue the supervision and control of breeding operations in
addition to the legitimate veterinary duties. It is proposed therefore that when
possible the department should be relieved of this cattle-breeding work which
Will be carried out by a special officer appointed by the Agricultural department.
(2) EQUINE (UNDER LOCAL BODIES).
(i) Horse and pony stallions.
See Table X.
50. At the beginning of the year there were 65 horse and pony stallions at
stud belonging to this department.
61. Five stallions were purchased during the year, two were castrated and
sold as they were unfit for further stud work, two destroyed, thus leaving a balance
of 66 at the end of the year.
See Table XI.
52. Fifty-five sires were employed at stud work during the year and the
number of mares covered by these stallions amounted to 3,440, being an increase of
109 over last year's figure which is very satisfactory considering the scarcity of
mares on account of their demand for war and mounted police.
53. Regarding young stock, the progeny of the provincial stallions shows a
continued improvement and particularly in the following districts :—Saharanpur,
Budaun, Moradabad, and Shahjahanpur. Some exceptionally good young stock
was noticed during my inspection. The Arabs "Copenhagen," "Achilles,"
"Akbar," "Ceasor," "Hermit," "Brigand," "Salim," and " Nelson," all of
which are very popular with the breeders and have maintained their high standard
and reputation as foal-getters.
54. As mentioned last year the functions of this department, as far as
horse-breeding is concerned, are confined to the improvement of the indigenous