of the farm at Bettiah is declared unsuitable owing to its being subject to
inundation, and the condition of the cattle is also reported to be 'not good.'
39. In the Bombay Presidency the results of the Northcote Cattle Farm
at Chharodi continue to prove satisfactory. There is an increase in the
number of live-stock at the Farm; several bulls were sold to the people of
neighbouring villages. The number of calves dropped was nearly double
that of the previous year. Mortality among the stock has been less than
usual. Several improvements with regard to water supply, fencing of stock
yards, repairs to buildings, closing of roads running through the farm, etc.,
have been carried out. An increased quantity of fodder is now maintained
as a reserve.
40. Punjab reports that the requirements of nine districts amounting to
43 bulls, were fully met from the Government Cattle Farm at Hissar. Nine-
teen bulls of the 'Dhanni' breed were purchased from Chakwal to meet the
requirements of four districts.
41. Twenty-five (25) bulls were purchased by Local Boards in Eastern
Bengal and Assam. It is reported that several indents were received from
Local and District Boards for the supply of stud bulls, which could not be
complied with as suitable animals were difficult to obtain. The Superintend-
ent states that "A scheme for the breeding of bulls has been drawn up and
is now under consideration."
42. Owing to the increasing demand, the United Provinces also experi-
ence the same difficulty regarding the insufficient supply of suitable stud
bulls. Arrangements have been made for the supply of a certain number
from the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar, to meet immediate demands.
It is expected that next year some 20 Hissar bulls will be available for issue
to selected districts. As an experiment, a farm for rearing bulls has been
started at Kheri.
43. The number of bulls in the North-West Frontier Province is reported
to be quite inadequate.
44. In the Central Provinces, suggestions have been brought forward
by the Superintendent regarding the establishment of a Demonstration Farm
in Raipur, also the establishment of Farms on the Raigarh plateau and at
Machurda in the Balaghat district. The farms at Kindri and Telinkheri
are reported as being capable of considerable improvement, i.e., with regard
to the class of animal bred, and general condition of the stock maintained.
Bull rearing and breeding farms and depôts.
45. The main results of the working of Provincial Cattle Farms are
shown in Table IX. The details fur-
nished in the Valuation Statements
which accompany Table IX, indicate the financial position of each farm.
The total receipts amount to Rs. 20,181 against Rs. 23,919 last year; the
expenditure is set down at Rs. 52,884 against Rs. 46,986 in the previous year,
and the value of stock, grain and fodder at the close of the year is estimated
at Rs 67,980 against Rs. 52,970 in the previous report. Punjab has fur-
nished no particulars. Bengal states that the report on the Kalimpong.
Farm was not received.
Camel breeding.
46. The scheme for the encouragement of camel breeding by the award
of prizes at Camel Fairs not meeting
with the success hoped for, the question
of its discontinuance is now before Government.
47. The subject dealt with in paragraph 181 of last year's report, regard-
ing making available certain Surra free grazing areas with the view of en-
couraging camel breeding in the Punjab, is also under consideration of the
authorities concerned.
Sheep breeding.
48. North-West Frontier Province and North Punjab.—The result of
experiments of crossing Merino rams
with indigenous ewes is reported to have
proved a success, especially so in the Kagan Valley where the people take an
intelligent interest in the improvement in the quality of the fleeces of their
sheep. It is also reported that attempts are being made to fix the Merino