( 6 )
A veterinary dispensary at Bikapur, district Fyzabad, has lately been
established by private subscription. Applications have also been received from
the inhabitants of certain other places asking for the provision of such institutions.
This, I think, clearly dispels any idea that these places are not keenly appreciated
by the people.
A travelling dispensary at Etawah has been started last year and is working
satisfactorily.
III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
(1) BOVINE.
Stud bulls.
Set table VIII.
34. During the year under report a great many stud bulls have been supplied
by this department, and are now maintained in 37 districts.
The number of these stud animals now at work in the province
under our observation is 141. These animals have been chiefly obtained by
this department by outside purchase, or from its own farms. Most of the
animals are the property of district boards, courts of wards, co-operative credit
societies, or influential land-owners, and an increased amount of interest is daily
being taken in the question of cattle improvement. It is anticipated that the
next few years will witness an enormous demand for stud animals, and all possible
steps should be taken to provide for this contingency. A workable scheme for the
general management, upkeep, distribution and stud work of the animals is being
prepared for the guidance of those district boards, courts of wards, co-operative
societies, private persons, and others interested in the question.
Bull-rearing and breeding farms and dépôts.
See table IX.
35. Kheri.—From a cattle survey made in 1906-7 of the districts of Kheri,
Pilibhit, Bahraich, and other parts of North Oudh, where the breeding of certain
active useful strains of cattle has for years been carried on as a profitable
occupation, it was found that in some of these tracts this cattle-breeding industry
was seriously diminishing owing to various causes; one of the chief being an
insufficiency of suitable bulls. To remedy this and to provide the necessary bull
power a government cattle farm was established'near Lakhimpur, Kheri, in 1910-11.
It was proposed to issue the bulls into the herds of groups of villages where they
were found to be necessary. To suit the various localities, the three celebrated
strains of Kherigarh, Parehar, and Ponwar were to be provided. The farm is now
in working order and annually producing the expected outturn of bulls. Already
56 sires have been issued and more will shortly be ready. It is confidently believed
that the proposed yearly introduction of an adequate number of these animals into
these herds I have mentioned will considerably improve the class of cattle and
stimulate the breeding industry. It is hoped that the district boards, courts of
wards, private estates, taluqdars, and others in those parts where this action
appears necessary will realize their responsibility and give effect to the wishes of
Government by taking over the bulls in sufficient numbers, as the farm produces
them.
It is somewhat unfortunate that a few of these bulls were recently purchased
by mistake for some of the western districts where a larger class of cattle is
required, but it is hoped we shall before very long be able to provide these tracts
with the larger class of bulls from our newly-established farm at Muttra (see
below).
Brood cows are gradually being introduced into the farm with the ultimate
object of entirely breeding our own bulls. Improvements and additions to the
buildings and the farm generally are being made, the jungle is being cleared, and
the grass-land is being gradually improved. A very desirable strip of land 50.53
acres has now been added to the farm.
There are at present 295 head of stock of the farm. The past year, although
so devoid of rain, proved to be a very healthy one for the animals. An outbreak of
rinderpest occurred in August but prompt measures were taken, and the malady
was quickly suppressed with a very small mortality.
36. Muttra.—Another cattle farm to provide bulls for the improvement of
the larger western breeds, and also for milking cattle has now been established at
Mad urikund. Although some difficulty and delay have been experienced in the