( 7 )
66. The demand for bulls for breeding purposes is increasing as many
applications from both public bodies and private individuals were received
during the year. In many instances it was impossible to comply with their
demands,
67. As the herds at Siripore and Bettiah are supplying bulls for their
estates only, it is hoped Government will seriously consider the question of
starting a large breeding farm of its own in some Bihar district as early as
possible as the present arrangement of searching the country for Brahmini
bulls is not a good one; and moreover it is impossible any longer to meet
the demands from this source. By a herd of 150 to 200 cows and the purchase
yearly of a number of promising desi bull calves a large number of bulls
would be available for distribution after a few years. Court of Wards' estates
and private individuals are all anxious to secure cattle.
68. During the year under report an Inspector was deputed to the
Punjab to purchase buffalo-bull calves and buck goats. He succeeded in
securing some very good specimens. An outbreak of rinderpest, however,
broke out among them before they started south, and resulted in the death of
four animals.
69. Bull-rearing and breeding farms.—Government at present does not
possess any farms for the breeding and rearing of bulls. Two, however, are
maintained by the Court of Wards' estates at Hathwa and Bettiah and one by
the St. Andrew's Colonial Homes at Kalimpong.
70. Siripur.—The enclosed Table IX gives the number of stock under the
different heads at the end of the year. The cattle continue to keep in good
condition and were carefully looked after. There are 47 desi cows in the herd
and of these 16 are farm-bred. Forty-seven calves were born of which 28
were males and 19 females, one was stillborn.
No bull calves were rejected, but two cows and 11 heifers were sold, the
former, as they were too old or unsuitable for the herd, and the latter because
they were not required. They realized Rs. 619. Six farm-bred bulls were
sent out to various villages on the estate during the year. There are thus
altogether 28 in the neighbourhood of the farm, while 17 are awaiting the
advent of the rains to be distributed; there will thus be 40 bulls in the
district by the middle of the current year. Monthly reports on their condition
are submitted to the Superintendent of the farm by the Sazawals in whose
charge they have been placed. It is interesting to note that Brahmini bulls are
disappearing from the neighbourhood, as the stronger farm-bulls are driving
them away.
71. As had been done last year, bulls and cows were sent to Muzaffarpur
and Sitamarhi shows for exhibition. It was intended to send them to Raghu-
nathpur and Bihta but a severe outbreak of plague caused the shows to be
abandoned.
72. Buffaloes.—During the year under report two bulls were kept for
serving farm-cows as well as those of the tenants, while one was placed at
Larpur dispensary.
73. During my visits to the farm I took the opportunity of seeing some
of the cross-bred buffaloes in the district and found them taking the characters
of their sire in a very marked degree.
74. Eleven buffaloes varying in age from three years to one-half years
were purchased for the estate by an Inspector of this department, and includ-
ing freight, feeding, etc. They cost on an average Rs. 101 per head. They
arrived at the farm during the last week of March. They are promising
young stock and should prove a great boon to cattle-breeders on the estate.
75. Jumnapari goats.—One of the two Jumnapari buck goats died
during the year. Six were purchased in the Punjab for the estate. They will
be sent out to different villages when they are fit for service.
76. Expenditure.—The total expenditure of the farm was lis. 9,995
against Rs. 15,575-4-3 of the previous year. A revaluation of the stock shows
that they are worth Rs. 12,675.
77. The bull calves brought to the farm from Pusa have improved out of
recognition and two of them are now being returned to Bettiah to be sent into
the dehat.