(9)
animals or not. The suggestion of the Committee was accepted by Government and acted
upon, and a prospectus of cattle prizes was drawn up. The sum of Rs. 250 was divided
into prizes as follows:—
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
For the best
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
1st prize.
Rs.
it bull (bachur)
... 15
bull (any breed)
... 15
single
bullock
...
8
pair of bullocks
... 10
cow (Patna)
...
10
cow (any breed)
... 10
cow with calf
... 10
bull buffalo (Bihari)
... 15
ditto
(any breed)
15
pair plough buffaloes
... 10
cow buffalo (Bihari)
... 10
ditto
(any breed)
10
cow with
calf
... 10
2nd prize.
Rs.
10
10
4
6
5
5
5
10
10
5
5
5
5
3rd prize.
Rs.
...
...
...
4
2
2
2
...
...
...
2
2
...
80. As this was the first time that a cattle show had been held, it was anticipated
that there would be much difficulty in getting the people to show their animals; nor were
we mistaken. Excellent arrangements had been made and strong bamboo enclosures had
been erected near the cattle lines, but the people did not realize what was required of them,
and after much difficulty the animals were brought in by classes and judged. The judging
had to be divided into two days, as the buffaloes and cows were picketted far away from the
rest of the cattle.
81. The Committee was composed of—
Veterinary-Captain W. D. Gunn ...
Mr. J. A.M. Wilson, of Sewan ...
„ J. Barclay, of Bettiah ...
...
...
...
President.
Members.
82. The first day's judging commenced on 2nd November. Fifty-nine animals were
admitted into the enclosure for the class of single bullocks. They were of a good average
stamp, but not of the size required for heavy artillery batteries; nevertheless they were capable
of drawing heavy loads. The best of these animals are sold to indigo-planters for heavy
ploughing, and the smaller kind are bought by dealers and taken to Lower Bengal, where
they are much appreciated for cart work.
83. Major Marriott, of the Commissariat Department, attended the Fair to purchase
cattle, but the prices ranged so high that, I believe, he was unable to make any purchases.
84. The pairs of bullocks formed a good class. The pair which took the second prize
were exceedingly handsome, and were of the Sitamarhi breed, with very short horns and
short neck, fine skin and tail, and deerlike legs, but they had not the physique of those
which received the first prize, which were of the Bachour breed.
85. The Punjabi buffalo cows were the finest that I have ever seen, and averaged
551/2 inches high at the withers and 102 inches girth round the abdomen.—(Appendix Nl).
86. The Bihari buffalo differs considerably in size from the Punjabi, also in the shape
and direction of its horns. The former has comparatively short horns, which go backwards,
and then take a slight sweep upwards, forming a slight curve, and, as will be seen by the
measurements, which were carefully taken, the Bihari is much smaller than the Punjabi.
The Punjabi buffalo has characteristically curly horns.
87. There were a large number of cows present for judging, but they were not of a
good class. The majority of them were very poor, and were not capable of giving more
than one and-a-half to two seers of milk. As milkers, those known as the Patna breed were
undoubtedly the best, and I consider that it would be worth while for Government to import
three or four Queensland short-horn bulls and continue the good work commenced forty
years ago by Mr. Taylor. Some of the Patna cows are said to give from 10 to 15 seers of
milk a day.
88. Considering that this was a first attempt at a cattle show, I think it may be consi-
dered a success, and year by year, when the people learn what is required of them, there is
no doubt the entries will increase and the quality of the animals shown will improve.
From Provincial Fund
By District Board, Saran
Total
Rs,
125
125
250
89. Only Rs. 149 were expended out of the Rs. 250
granted for prizes, as the Committee did not think it advis-
able to give prizes except to those really worthy of the honour.
In this way money was also saved by there being no bull
buffaloes worthy of a prize, nor were there any buffalo
pairs.
90. Likewise there were no Bachour bulls, or in fact any bulls suitable for draught
cattle.
91. As a matter of fact, bull sires are not kept privately, but are turned loose as Brah-
mini bulls.
92. The horses and ponies were well represented in number, but I did not see very many
horses which were likely to be suitable for remounts of Bengal cavalry. The ponies were