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78. Bettiah.—The strength of this herd at the close of the year was 43
cows, 61 young stock and one stud bull. The farm as stated in last year's report
is situated at Manjheria, a little over three miles from the civil station of Bettiah.
Observations during the year have convinced the Manager and myself that it
will be unsuitable for breeding purposes, on account of its being so liable to
inundation. The condition of cattle is not good as they are suffering from
attacks of ticks and do not receive the attention which is necessary to make
the scheme a success. To show the best results, good feeding and the close
supervision of a European is required, As the present arrangement for the
feeding and care of the farm stock are not satisfactory, proposals have been
submitted to the Director of Agriculture for the establishment of a large
breeding farm in a more suitable locality under European supervision. The
expenditure amounts to Rs. 2,616 while the valuation is Rs. 2,460.
During
the last cold weather I have been able to secure eleven buffalo-bull calves for
the estate ; they will be reared at Bettiah until fit for service. They are a use-
ful lot, and should prove to be of great value to the raiyats.
79. Kalimpong.—The report on this farm has not been received as the
Superintendent unfortunately had to proceed to Kasauli.
HORSE AND PONY STALLIONS.
80. There is only one pony stallion in the province. He is standing at
Dumraon and is the property of the Raj. Eight mares were covered by him
during the year.
TABLES XIII AND XIV.
81. Tables XIII and XIV give the particulars of fairs and shows held
during the year. All these shows were inspected either by myself, the Inspec-
tors or the local veterinary assistants. No fairs were held at Bihta or Barrah-
pur owing to the prevalence of plague.
At Sonepore three elephants were
purchased, two for the Inspector-General of Police and one for the Govern-
ment Agent, Vizagapatam, at an average of Rs. 2,800. The Superintendent of
Kheddas, Mr. Armstrong, was present at the fair. Information was collected
for him regarding each elephant in order that he might get in touch
with owners in this part of India. Similar statements have been prepared
for the Singeswarthan and Khagra fairs.
I believe it would be
an
advantage to his department if circulars were issued to district officials to post
in their kutcheries, giving information regarding the dates of the sales
and particulars of the elephants brought by him from Burmah to Sylhet.
The temporary dispensaries erected at each of the large fairs have done useful
work.
82. I attended the show at Singeswarthan, but I regret to say it was
a failure. The cattle show at Muzaffarpur was also a failure, as only a few
animals were brought in by villagers for competition.
83. The advisability of granting prizes to cattle shows is under considera-
tion ; excepting Bihta, Raghunathpur and Sitamarhi shows, I do not believe
that much benefit to cattle breeding will result from awarding money prizes.
84. During next cold weather the Superintendent of the Siripur Farm
intends to start several small shows in different villages in his circle for the
progeny of the farm bulls. A report on them will be submitted to the
Director of Agriculture.
PART IV—SUBORDINATE VETERINARY ESTABLISHMENT.
85. Table VII shows the strength of the subordinate veterinary estab-
lishment of the province during the year under report.
86. There were 8 Inspectors and 71 veterinary assistants at the close of
the year against 6 and 62 of the previous year.
87. The following is a brief account of the work performed by the
Inspectors:—
88. Mr. N. L. Mitter—Was in charge of Muzaffarpur circle for a month
only and had to go on medical leave till December; his services were then