(
3 )
11. Cattle-fairs, shows, &c.—The Lieutenant-Governor observes that the
Superintendent could not manage to visit personally more than two cattle-
fairs in the Province, as compared with five in the previous year. This was
due to his pressing duties in connection with the numerous scientific experi-
ments carried on by him, and the high pressure at which both he and his
college staff had to work throughout the year. Veterinary-Major Raymond
recognises, however, the importance of this branch of his work, and will no
doubt be able to devote more time to it in the present year.
12. Horse and pony-breeding in Bengal.—The enquiries which were instituted
at the desire of Sir Alexander Mackenzie into the possibility of improving the
breed of country ponies in Bengal, were conducted by Veterinary-Major
Raymond throughout the year, and after its close he submitted to Government
a report, in which he suggested that the operations should, in the first instance,
be confined to the Bihar districts, Darjeeling and Sikkim, as being the most
promising localities in the Province, and might then if desired be gradually
extended to the districts of Lower Bengal, where the necessity for such
operations is not so great at present. It has been decided to confine present
experiments to two districts of Bihar.
13. Cattle-breeding.—Appendix XXIII to the report furnishes an interest-
ing synopsis of the results of the attempts made during recent years to improve
the breed of cattle in this Province. Though the results of the experi-
ments have hitherto been generally successful, Veterinary-Major Raymond
considers the methods which have been adopted to be of doubtful expediency.
The Hissar bulls introduced into Bihar were not a success: and the number
of really good bulls of the local breed in Bihar is limited. Hence, if their
exportation to Bengal is persisted in, there is a danger of permanently injuring
the stock. He, therefore, adheres to the opinion he has previously expressed
that the best way to improve the breed of local cattle is to rear bulls for
breeding purposes under the immediate supervision of the Bengal Civil
Veterinary Department. The advisability of establishing farms where this
could be done, at Pusa and at Sripur in the Hatwa Raj, is engaging the
attention of Government.
14. Financial and General.—The receipts from fees and the Provincial
share of the expenditure of the Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, during
the year 1898-99 were Rs. 6,046-12-9 and Rs. 37,011-6-10 respectively, as
against Rs. 4,988 and Rs. 27,310-3-11 during 1897-98.
Veterinary-Major Raymond was on tour for a period of 119 days, during
the year under report. The Government of India having declined to meet the
expenditure on account of the entertainment of a Personal Assistant for the
Superintendent to carry on a portion of his duties during his absence on tour
from Calcutta, this Government has been compelled to abandon the proposal
for the present, or till the Provincial finances admit of the requisite expenditure.
The Lieutenant-Governor's thanks are due to Veterinary-Major Raymond
for the ability with which he has conducted the affairs of this Department during
the year, and he congratulates him and his staff on the success which has
attended them in developing the Veterinary College.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
F. A. SLACK,
Offg. Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.
No 2766.
COPY forwarded to the Director of the Department of Land Records and
Agriculture, Bengal, for information and guidance, and for communication to
the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, with reference to his
letter No. 55T.A., dated the 19th June 1899.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
E. LISTER,
Oftg. Under-Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal,
CALCUTTA,
The 12th August 1899.
T. H. G.—Beg. No. 2232C—641—15 8-99.