8
limited owing to the limited supply of serum. At headquarters they visited the
Gowkhanas regularly, inspected gariwallas' stables, checked the receipt and despatch
of serum, etc. Two of them also acted for the Inspectors when the latter were at
the Post Graduate class.
PART III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS.
55. Table VIII shows the number of stud bulls reported by District Officers.
Jail bulls are shown locally and noted as being in Jails. Only bulls that are the
property of the Agricultural Department and Khas Mahals are shown as Government
property. The two new bulls placed in Cachar are stationed at Haflong; they were
bred in the Dacca Jail. The Subdivisional Officer, Mr. Ballantine, reports that
they are greatly appreciated by the natives there, who keep large herds and export
a fair number of bullocks to plains districts. The majority of the bulls are in good
condition. In some districts the natives have so far failed to appreciate the value
of suitable bulls. Especially was this noticeable at Rangpur, where there are two bulls
stationed; even although the bulls have toured about in the district the ryots show
no great interest in them, nor did they prefer them to their own weaker bulls. An
arrangement has been made with the Inspector-General of Jails that the young
bulls which are not required by them will be placed at the disposal of this Depart-
ment for distribution in the province; unfortunately the supply is very limited. Du-
ring the year no bulls were obtainable from Behar, although the Civil Veterinary
Department of Bengal co-operated in the search for suitable animals. Enquiries
are being made regarding the suitability of the Burman bull. A large number of
good cart bullocks are imported every year into this province from Behar and Sita-
marhi in Bengal. It is muck to be regretted that many of those animals were
ever castrated. The reason for the scarcity of bulls is that from the breeder's point of
view bullocks are more valuable than bulls, and the latter are probably more costly
and troublesome to rear. One method of solving this question of the scarcity of bulls
is to buy selected calves and rear them in a suitable district where there is sufficient
grazing all the year round.
56. Table IX shows the work of the Provincial Cattle Farm during the year.
The total number of animals as reported by the Farm Superintendent on the 31st
March 1910, was 80. Some of the cows have been weeded out so that the proportion
of calves has satisfactorily increased. During the year under report there were
21 cows and 21 calves, compared to 36 cows and 7 calves reported last year. There are
6 young bulls ready to be distributed. During the year under report 7 cows, 18
heifers, 3 cow-calves and 3 bull-calves were sold. One cow, 3 calves and 1 bullock
died. All the animals are at present in good condition. Efforts are being made to
secure good grazing ground at Summer on the Shillong-Gauhati cart road as during the
winter months there is not sufficient food for the herd at the Upper Farm. The result is
that during November, December, January and February the animals lose condition
and the growth of the young animals is seriously checked.
TABLE X.—XIII BLANK.
57. Table XIV details the number of cattle fairs and shows held during the year.
During the year under report 68 fairs and shows have been reported against 46 in the
previous year. The number of bulls present shows an increase from 1,522 to 12,692,
but the number of bullocks fell from 154,830 to 133,933. The number of cows was also
smaller. Young stock rose from 6,911 to 34,580, and buffaloes from 9,413 to
S0,694. Camels increased from 1,036 to 2,766. A slight general rise is noticeable
in the average price of both bullocks and cows. Reports of these shows were received
for the first time last year. The shows at Malda, North Sylhet, Sunamganj and Khasi
and Jaintia Hills have only been started within the last few years. The others are
well established.
PART V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
58. Table XIV-A.—The cost of the Department as stated by the Accountant
General, Eastern Bengal and Assam, amounted to Rs. 1,00,731-10-6 Under the head
of Veterinary Instruction the contribution of Rs. 27,665 paid by this Government
towards the up-keep of the Bengal Veterinary College has not been shown in the
table.