20
Cattle Fairs.
Cattle fairs.
36. I personally attended the following Cattle Fairs:—
Amritsar (Baisákhi and Diwáli Cattle Fairs), Sirsa and Hissár spring
Cattle Fairs, Ludhiána Chaitchowdus Cattle Fair. I should have attended the
spring Cattle Fair at Jaházgarh, but owing to its being held much earlier than
advertised I was prevented from doing so.
Amritsar Baisákhi Cattle
Fair.
37. This fair was held in April 1894. Over 60,000 head of cattle
attended, an increase of nearly 15,000 over the number
attending the Diwáli Fair in November 1893. In spite of
this increase in number there were fewer cases of disease of a serious nature, 5
animals only being seized with rinderpest, 4 of which recovered and one died,
while at the Diwáli Fair there were 28 cases of rinderpest. A temporary
Veterinary Hospital was erected at some distance from the fair ground, which
was placed in charge of two salotrís, who carried out their duties satisfactorily,
three other salotrís were deputed to inspect the animals at the fair and any
suspicious cases were at once removed to the sick lines.
The cattle generally were in good condition and compared favourably with
those seen at the Diwáli Fair in November 1893. Rupees 2,118 in prizes were
awarded by the District authorities.
Amritsar Diwáli Cattle
Fair.
38. This Cattle Fair was held from 27th October to 7th November 1894.
Over 42,000 cattle attended the fair. Thirteen animals were
seized with rinderpest and 2 with foot and mouth, 8 animals
died with contagious diseases.
The temporary Veterinary Hospital which was erected at some distance
from the fair ground was put in charge of two salotrís. The four other
salotrís were deputed to inspect the animals at the gates and show ground.
Sirsa spring Cattle Fair.
39. This fair was held from 25th February to 11th March 1895. About
8,500 head of cattle attended; it seems to have been a more
satisfactory gathering than previous one. The cattle were
in very poor condition, this is due to scarcity of fodder.
The breeds most noticeable were (1) "Bikanir," (2) "Hariána," (3)
"Balotra;" of the latter there were very few. As regards sanitation, &c., of the
ground the animals were irregularly scattered about the fair ground, the drop-
pings being swept up every few days, and at the end of the fair the whole ground
was cleared up by a contractor.
A piece of ground was set aside for purpose of isolating any animals
affected with disease of a contagious nature, but apparently was not
made use of. The only fatal case that occurred was one of rinderpest.
There were several mild cases of foot and mouth disease, but this was rather
general throughout whole district; it was considered inadvisable to remove the
affected ones from the others, lest the fair should in this way become broken up.
A supply of medicines (bázár and European) kept in the tahsil in
charge of the Tahsíldár, as is the custom through the whole district, available,
ready for use. Rupees 2,352 were taken as fees on sale of animals. Prizes to
the extent of Rs. 131 have been awarded from District Board Funds.
Hissár spring Cattle Fair.
40. This Cattle Fair was held from 12th to 26th March 1895. The fair
was larger than that of last year, about 22,000 head of
cattle attended. The cattle generally were not in such
good condition as last year, this is owing to the supply of jowár having fallen
short.
The amount of cattle disease up to the date of my arrival at Hissár was
very slight, about 35 cases of foot and mouth disease reported, none of which
proved fatal. One calf is said to have died as the result of snake bite.
The different breeds of cattle seen were:—
(1). "Hariána" which form the majority of those present.
(2). Márwári or Bikanir.
(3). Nagauri.