NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
32
villages, we have so far only barely touched the fringe of the
cattle problem in this vast province. Under the present
conditions of the cattle breeding industry it would seem that
the people are relying entirely on Government to provide
high class stud bulls for the villages through its established
farms and that the majority of the large land-owners are not
showing the slightest interest in the subject of cattle improve-
ment.
It is most unlikely that the Government farms will be
able to meet the demands of the entire Province for stud
bulls which would be required under a properly organised
cattle improvement scheme so that the arrangement which
commends itself for the future is to concentrate as large a
percentage as possible of the yearly output of farm bred
stud bulls in the cattle-breeding tracts and meet the demands
of the remaining districts by village produce got by these
bulls. Cattle-breeding in the tracts badly needs the en-
couragement which a demand for the best male stock for
breeding purposes is likely to give rise to, because of the
relatively higher prices which such stock should fetch, com-
pared to working bullocks. It is suggested that the back-
wardness of the cattle industry is in so small measure due
to the complete absence of any special demand at fancy
prices for well bred cattle for breeding purposes. It is this
incentive of securing fancy prices for horses suited for special
purposes that maintains the keenness of the horse-breeder
and some such stimulus is badly needed in the cattle
industry.
It is strongly urged that the cattle-breeding tracts should
be treated as selected districts for cattle-breeding work and
a special organisation provided comparable with the existing
Army Remount Department organisation for horse breeding
in the Province.
Hariana Cattle Breed.
ing Scheme.
33. The following Government grants were allotted
Hariana Cattle Breed. towards the working of the scheme : —
Rs. 8,000 to the Gurgaon District Board.
Rs. 8,000 to the Rohtak District Board.
Rs. 4,000 to the Hissar District Board.
33
These grants were given on the condition that an equal
amount would be contributed by these District Boards towards
the expense of the scheme.
One hundred stud bulls were supplied to the Gurgaon
District from the Hissar Farm during the year, bringing the
total number of approved bulls now working in that district
to 521. An indent for 12 more bulls was also received from
the district, but it was decided that the Departments" local
staff was altogether inadequate to assume responsibility for
any further increase in the number of stud bulls under their
supervision.
Rohtak District Board purchased 52 bulls from the
Hissar Farm and 30 male calves for rearing locally which
were distributed to approved breeders. This is one of the
most important cattle-breeding districts in the Province.
Excellent results may be expected from any well organised
cattle improvement scheme supported by sufficient funds
for financing prize distribution amongst zamindars rearing
good stock in their villages. The difficulty hitherto has been
that the District Board Members cannot agree amongst
themselves as to how the best use can be made of the limited
funds provided, whilst the Department is not in a position
to run a cattle improvement scheme in the District without
the financial assistance of the Board.
The Hissar District Board spent rupees ten thousand
during the year for the purchase of bulls from the Hissar
Farm, this includes the Government grant of Rs. 4,000.
The total number of approved bulls working in the
Hissar District is 144. This district can be relied upon to
give very encouraging results from any large scale distribu-
tion of bulls in the villages combined with a scheme of prize
distribution to zamindars maintaining well bred cattle. The
funds hitherto available have not been sufficient to enable the
Department to carry out any regular system of replacing
old or otherwise unsuitable bulls on the strength.
It is felt that a scheme which cannot provide continuity
in the supply of approved bulls to particular villages loses
much of its value. Even with limited funds it would still
be possible to provide for this if District Board members
D
34
would agree to a system of concentrating District Board
bulls in a small area of their district.
Dhanni Cattle Breeding
Scheme.
34. The work of the scheme was inspected in October
last by His Excellency the Viceroy on
his visit to the Dhanni Tract. A re-
presentative collection of well bred
Dhanni cattle were paraded for his inspection at the Sohawa
Laboratory. To commemorate the visit a private supporter
of the scheme, Lala Bishen Das kindly offered a valuable
silver cup for competition which was presented on that day
by His Excellency to the owner of the best stud bull enrolled
under the scheme.
The following Government grants were allotted towards
the working of the scheme :—
Attock District Board .. .. ..
Jhelum District Board .. .. ..
Rawalpindi District Board .. ..
Mianwali District Board .. .. ..
Rs.
5,200
4,000
4,000
4,000
These grants were given on the condition that an equal
amount would be contributed by these District Boards to-
wards the expenses of the scheme. A grant of Rs. 1,000
was also made by Government for award at cattle fairs to
special classes for cows entered in the Dhanni herd book.
The Dhanni Cattle Breeding Association of the Attock
District voted a sum of Rs. 500 for the same object.
The fodder situation in the tract continued favourable
to progress in the work of the scheme. The total number
of approved bulls enrolled at the end of the year on sub-
sidy system was a 118—an increase of 11 subsidy bulls over
the previous year whilst the number of District Board bulls
was reduced by 15 due to castings of these bulls no longer
suitable for retention on strength.
Covering results traced for the year ending March 1926
have given a birth percentage of 51 on 13,805 coverings done
by the approved bulls. 7,071 calves were born, including
3,573 male and 3,498 female. This result represents a
very satisfactory increase in the number of well-bred young
stock born in the tract for that year. It gives an indication
of the possibilities of a well organised cattle-breeding
scheme run on popular lines amongst the poorer zamin-
dars the majority of whom are born cattle-breeders natur-
ally interested in the work of the scheme.
Arrangements are in progress for the holding of a special
Dhanni cattle show during next cold weather at Gujar Khan,
District Rawalpindi, where the best specimens of the Dhanni
breed from the different districts will compete for substan-
tial prizes. Government assistance has been sought to make
it an annual Provincial show.
I have to bring to the notice of Government the names
of the following gentlemen whose assistance has contributed
to the successful working of the Dhanni cattle-breeding scheme
during the year :—
(1) Sheikh Muhammad Nazir, late Tahsildar, Talla-
gang, District Attock.
(2) Lala Ganpat Rai, Member, District Board, Jand,
District Attock.
(3) Chaudhri Feroze Din, B.A., LL.B., Vice-Chairman
District Board, Jhelum.
(4) Malik Ahmad Khan, late Tahsildar, Gujar Khan,
now Extra Assistant Commissioner, Karnal.
(5) Sardar Bahadur Chaudhri Sundar Singh, Presi-
dent, Dhanni Cattle-Breeding Association, Gu-
jar Khan, District Rawalpindi.
(6) Sayed Mahmud Shah, B.A., LL.B., Honorary
Secretary, Dhanni Cattle-Breeding Association,
Rawalpindi.
(7) Sardar Jiwan Singh, Rais, Honorary Magistrate,
Daultala, District Rawalpindi.
(8) Captain Raja Khan, Zaildar, Jatli, Honorary
Magistrate, District Rawalpindi.
Buffalo breeding.
35. District Boards and also private breeders are being
urged to provide buffalo bulls at suitable
centres and assistance was given by the
D2
36
Department in the selection of animals up to standard for
breeding purposes.
The need is felt for a buffalo breeding farm from which
suitable pedigree male stock can be obtained to meet the
requirements of the districts.
II.—EQUINES.
Number of stallions—
Table VIII.
36. At the close of the year under report, there were
66 horse and pony stallions in the non-
selected districts of the Province as
compared with 62 at the close of the previous year. The
number of donkey stallions was 81 against 79 last year.
During the year under report the following additions and
casualties occurred amongst horse and donkey stallions :—
Additions .. ..
Casualities .. ..
Horses.
12
8
Donkeys.
11
9
The sanctioned scale of donkey stallions of the Kangra
District was increased from 3 to 4, the cost to be met by the
District Board.
At the close of the year under report, the sanctioned
scale of the non-selected districts (72 horses and 83 donkeys)
was short by 6 horse and 2 donkey stallions. Steps are
being taken to make good this deficiency as soon as possible
according as suitable stallions are available.
Services of Stallions—
Table VIII.
37. The total number of mares covered by horse and
donkey stallions during the year under
report was 3,603 and 3,377 as compared
with 4,104 and 3,114, respectively, during the previous year.
There is quite an appreciable reduction in the number
of mares now being maintained for breeding purposes by
zamindars in the non-selected districts.
III.—GOAT AND SHEEP BREEDING.
Marino, rams and ewes.
38. During the year under report, 61 cross-bred marino
rams were issued from the Government
Cattle Farm, Hissar, to breeders as
37
compared with 58 rams and 1 ewe during the previous year.
These were issued to the following districts :—
Gurgaon, Kangra, Lahore and Gujranwala.
Arrangements are in progress for the annual supply of
a large number of marino ewes and rams to the Kangra Dis-
trict. Hitherto the importation of marino sheep into
that district was on such a small scale that no appreciable
effect could be expected amongst the large flocks kept in the
Kangra and Kulu Valleys. It has been decided therefore
with the financial help of the District Board to offer breeders
marino ewes and rams landed in the district at a price which
will compare favourably with the price of their local sheep.
The suggestion has been received sympathetically by the
members of the Board.
IV.—FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Fairs and Shows—Table
IX.
39. The statistical information regarding cattle fairs
and shows under this department is
given in table IX. These were held in
23 districts of the Province. All fairs were attended by the
officers of the Department.
V.—MISCELLANEOUS.
Co-operative Societies.
40. At the close of the year under report the number
of Co-operative Societies in the Province
showed an increase of 33 as per detail
below :—
Cattle breeding ..
.. .. ..
Sheep breeding ..
.. .. ..
Cattle purchase ..
.. .. ..
Total ..
31
1
1
33
The department welcomes the steady increase in the
number of Co-operative Societies, and is making every
effort to meet their requirements. By special arrangement
82 heifers were supplied during the year from the Hissar
Farm, the majority of which went to Members of Co-operative
Societies.
38
It is hoped that an increase of these Societies will make
it easier for the department to pursue cattle improvement
schemes with small Government grants. The experience
gained, however, up-to-date shows that the funds of these
comparatively new societies are extremely limited and
that the Members still regard it as the duty of the District
Boards to provide bulls for their benefit in the villages.
Establishment.
Numerical strength—Table
VI.
41. At the close of the previous year, the sanctioned
cadre of the subordinate veterinary staff
was 260 (28 Veterinary
Inspectors
7 Veterinary Assistant Surgeons and 225 Veterinary Assist-
ants). The following additional staff was sanctioned during
the year under report :—
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons
..
..
Veterinary Assistants, 1st grade
..
..
Veterinary Assistants, 2nd grade .. ..
Veterinary Assistants, 3rd grade .. ..
Total ..
10
7
14
16
47
Thus, at the close of the year, the sanctioned cadre of the
subordinate veterinary staff was :—
Veterinary Inspectors .. .. ..
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons. .. ..
Veterinary Assistants, 1st grade .. ..
Veterinary Assistants, 2nd grade .. ..
Veterinary Assistants, 3rd grade .. ..
28
17
51
104
107
Expenditure—Table X.
42. The expenditure of the department is given in
Table X. " Provincial " figures are sup-
plied by the Accountant-General, Punj-
ab, Lahore, and the " Local " figures are obtained direct
from the various local bodies in the Province.
39
General remarks.
General remarks.
43. Like last year, a grant of Rs. 1,000 was again
sanctioned by Government for rewards
to Patwaris and Lambardars as a sti-
mulus for prompt reporting of contagious diseases. The con-
ditions laid down for the distribution of this grant only
admit of comparatively small rewards being given which
experience shows are not sufficiently attractive to induce
keenness.
44. As a result of the proposals submitted in August
1925, only 4 clerks were added to the clerical staff of this
department with effect from 1st April 1927. This addition
is quite insufficient under the present conditions when the
department is expanding in all its branches on account of the
5 years' programme of expansion. Fresh proposals for the
augmentation of the clerical staff and the revision of the grade
of certain members of the existing staff have therefore been
submitted to the proper quarters.
The urgency of the re-organisation of the Civil Veteri-
nary Department offices has already been noted in the previous
year's report. It is desired that immediate steps should be
taken in this direction.
45. As in former years, the subordinate staff, both
Veterinary and Clerical, with few exceptions, have continued
to work satisfactorily during the year inspite of abnormal
increase in their responsibilities.
M. Talib Khan, Deputy Superintendent, North Punjab,
whose enthusiasm and success in extending the Dhanni
cattle-breeding scheme have been recognised by the grant
of the title of Khan Sahib also the other Deputy Superinten-
dents deserve praise for the manner in which they have dis-
charged their duties during the year.
The Chief Superintendent also records his appreciation
of the field work done by the following Veterinary Inspec-
tors :—B. Thakar Singh, S. Jan Muhammad, S. Khidmat
Singh, S. Sant Singh, S. Talib Hussain, M. Qamar-ud-Din.
For the satisfactory year's working of the department,
particular credit is due to Messrs. Egan and Garewal,
40
Superintendents, North and South Punjab, for the zeal and
energy shown in the conduct of the work.
The assistance received from District Officers is gratefully
acknowledged.
T. F. QUIRKE,
Chief Supdt., Civil Veterinary
Department, Punjab, Lahore.
The 16th July 1927.
41
Annual Report of the Government Cattle Farm, Hissar,
for the year 1926-27.
Staff.
1. Farm was in joint charge of Mr. W. S. Read, P.V.S.,
and Syed Ghulam Hussain, P.V.S., from 1st April to 29th
November 1926, in addition to their own duties.
2. Mr. R. Branford, M.R.C.V.S., I.V.S., returned from
leave on 29th November 1926, relieving the above officers
of the additional charge.
3. Mr. Muhammad Jan, P.V.S., reported to the Farm
for duty as a Deputy Superintendent on 24th December
1926, relieving Syed Ghulam Hussain, transferred.
4. Mr. R. Branford, M.R.C.V.S., I.V.S., was appointed
Live Stock Expert to Government, Punjab, from the date of
his return from leave, and continued to hold charge of the
duties of Superintendent, Government Cattle Farm, in ad-
dition.
5. Mr. P. N. Nanda, M.R.C.V.S., Officer under training,
Civil Veterinary Department, was sent to the Farm by Chief
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, from 25th
August to 2nd September to assist with control of contagious
diseases after the floods.
6. Mr. P. N. Nanda, M.R.C.V.S., reported for duty
at the Farm as Officer under training on 20th November
1926.
7. The post of Assistant Superintendent was vacant
throughout the year.
II.—VISITORS.
1. The Farm received the following notable visitors
during the year : His Excellency Sir Malcolm Hailey ; The
Honourable Minister for Agriculture, Sardar Jogendra Singh;
The Royal Commission on Agriculture.
III.—WEATHER, IRRIGATION AND LABOUR.
Weather.
3. The weather during the year under report was ab-
normal. The rainfall from 1st April 1926 to 31st March 1927
was 34.40 inches, the average normal annual rainfall being
14 inches only. There was heavy rain in August, the total
for the month being 22.30 inches of which 13.90 fell within
24 hours on the 16th and 17th. Miles of country was flooded,
42
in some places as deep as 5 feet. The lower half of the
Mundianwala cultivation block was under water for three
weeks. Luckily those fields were fallow except for an acre
or two of Lucerne. Many Farm buildings and walls collapsed,
the total damage being estimated at Rs. 44,000. There was
no loss of animal life due to the flood. Temperatures
were below normal all the cold weather.
Irrigation.
4. Canal water all through the year was generally
sufficient, though occasionally scarce which checked growth
of crops especially in late July and early August. The supply
in the Dabra minor was often scanty and gave cause for anxie-
ty for the crops at Chaoni. The Sali minor which has usually
been mentioned with the Dabra minor as short of water has
this year done very well, due to the discovery that the channel
dimensions were incorrect. This defect was corrected and the
best supply seen in that water-course for many years has been
the result.
Labour.
5. Difficulty was experienced in getting sufficient labour
during the year. In April and May men were scarce due to
the severe plague epidemic, many of them left and went to
their villages as owing to the evacuation of Hissar and closing
of shops and the Mundi, food was dear and difficult to get.
The good rains as usual caused great activity in barani
villages, high rates of wages were being paid, too tempting
for the Farm labour to resist and during the autumn har-
vesting Juar and ploughing for Rabi was brought almost
to a standstill. A scheme to authorise a harvest or monsoon
allowance similar to that in vogue at the Lyallpur Farm,
to be brought into operation at the discretion of the Superin-
tendent of the Farm in times of severe labour competition,
and a scheme to pay permanent labour on increased scale
after a period of unbroken service have been put up to the
Director of Agriculture.
Malaria was very prevalent after heavy rains in August
and added to labour troubles in the autumn.
IV.—FODDER IN RESERVE.
6. At the end of the year amounted to maunds 155,496
as against maunds 132,997 (82 lbs. to a maund) on 31st March
1926.
43
Unfortunately some of the older stacks received some
damage by flood. The amount of the damage cannot be
exactly estimated until the stacks are opened for issue. But
there is no doubt the fodder situation, good though it un-
doubtedly really is, is not quite so good as the books indicate.
V.—TABLE XII.
Shows the changes in Farm Live Stock during the year :—
The following animals were sold for breeding purposes:—
(a) Cattle.
7. Supernumerary Bulls—
To Punjab District Boards .. .. ..
To Agriculture stations (Chillianwala Seed Farm) ..
To Indian States .. .. ..
To Cantonment Board, Rawalpindi .. ..
Total ..
8. Female Produce—
To the Zamindars through the District Board and
Civil Veterinary Department .. ..
To Punjab Zamindars through Co-operative Depart-
ment .. .. .. ..
To Private Breeders .. .. ..
Total ..
9. Service Bullocks—
To Jail Department .. .. ..
To Private Land owners .. .. ..
To Irrigation Department .. .. ..
Total ..
(b) Donkeys.
10. Donkey Colts—
To North-West Frontier Province .. ..
To District Boards in the Punjab .. ..
To Army Remount Department .. ..
Total ..
350
1
1
2
354
20
60
2
82
2
2
17
21
1
12
4
17
44
(c) Arab Stock.
11. Arab Colts—
To Punjab District Boards .. ..
Total ..
(d) Mules.
12. Mules—
Army Remount Department .. ..
To United Provinces Government (Mathra Farm) ..
Total ..
(e) Sheep.
13. Male Lambs—
To Bombay Government .. .. ..
To Punjab District Boards .. .. ..
To Babu Garh Army Remount Depôt .. ..
To Indian States .. .. ..
To Private Breeders .. .. ..
Total ..
14. Ewes—
To Indian States .. .. ..
4
4
35
5
40
2
59
2
11
2
76
1
Demand for the Farm bred stud bulls was again more than
the Farm could supply, although the very large number of
854 were issued.
The fact that during the past 2 years this Farm has issued
756 stud bulls and yet has not been able to satisfy Punjab
District demands, is a tribute to the popularity of these ani-
mals. Demand from other Provinces and States also con-
tinues keen in spite of the fact that the Farm has never adver-
tised. Enquiries for cattle are constantly being received.
The great majority have to be refused. For many of these
animals we have to refuse to accept Rs. 600 each and even-
tually have to issue them to the Punjab at Rs. 200 or Rs. 250
each after paying more for feed and keep, than if we had
sold at Rs. 600. This is no doubt very right and proper
45
and all to the good of the Punjab, but it is not business from
the commercial point of view and that fact should be remem-
bered if it is found that Farm expenditure exceeds cash
receipts.
The staff necessary to keep milk records from a small
percentage of Farm cows were appointed from 1st April 1926.
During the year they have settled down to the work, and the
results on the whole are very encouraging. Twelve cows
yielding over 4,000 lbs. during the year. and many more over
3,000 lbs. I have referred to this in more detail in a note on
Hariana's cattle written for " The Journal of the Central
Bureau for Animal Husbandry and Dairying in India."
Donkeys.
15. As a stud continue on the up grade so far as size
and conformation are concerned but we continue to receive
complaints after the animals are issued that they are slow
coverers. As no jacks have been issued from this Farm in
recent years until after they have successfully covered
several mares, I think the fault must lie largely with the Dis-
trict Board Syces. I think a school for training District
Board Syces will have to be opened on the Farm. With the
object of introducing fresh blood and also a strain known
to readily cover pony mares, a 4 years old American Jack
has recently been purchased for the Farm through the Army
Remount Depôt.
Sheep.
16. Sheep suffered very severely from the very unusually
virulent outbreak of foot and mouth disease mentioned in
last year's report.
The flock, however, continue to yield profit to the Farm.
Demand for stud rams shows no tendency to increase
in the Punjab. Much more interest is being shown in sheep
by surrounding states. The prices received for wool remain
fairly constant and compare well with prices in England.
Arab Horses.
17. Four stallions were issued during the year. Two
were of exceptionally good quality.
Owing to the demand for stud bulls having increased
beyond the capacity of this farm to supply Government
have been considering the question of increasing output.