(4)
13. Sripur.—The fact that the breeding arrangements on this farm are now
on a fairly satisfactory basis, so that the results of the next few years should go
to prove the value or otherwise of continuing the lines ordered to be adopted,
has been duly reported upon to the Inspector-General, Indian Civil Veterinary
Department. I am glad to say most of the miscellaneous collection of cattle
described in my last year's report has been eliminated, and there are now but
the 2 herds, viz., (i) local and the (ii) Montgomery.
14. Fairs and shows.—There were 11 fairs held during the year against 10
of the previous year, all of which I attended and reported upon, with the excep-
tion of Khagra and Bagdogra. It is to be regretted that for the second year
running I was left in ignorance as to the date upon which the former was to be
held. I have duly notified this fact to the authorities concerned. Bagdogra
was quite anew show, and as there was no judging at it, I sent an Inspector to
see and make a report. It appears to have been quite a failure, as were also a
couple of the standing fairs due to unexpected inclement weather. Out of the
Imperial grant of Rs. 1,500, only the small amount of Rs 693 were spent in
prizes; this was partly due to the absence of suitable animals at most of the
fairs, but chiefly to the judging Committees who tried as far as possible to
confine the awards to bond fide cultivators, professional graziers and breeders
instead of letting—as appears to have been the custom hitherto—cattle dealers
take the bulk of it and others who are not entitled to them under the Revenue
Board rules for the guidance of judging Committees.
15. I find I am not altogether alone when I say I consider that the offering
of prizes for the purpose of inducing breeders to improve their cattle and
bringing them to compete for the same is really of little or no use, as there is a
general absence on their part to show that they are at all anxious to bring their
stock, which has been bred and reared with a view to improve them into the
judging ring, although with this end in view awards have now been given for
several years at most of the fairs in the province. Cattle at the older established
fairs at any rate are brought for sale rarely for the sake of competing for prizes
and for this reason I have for instance recommended the discontinuance of the
Imperial grant at Sonepore, where but very few of the animals brought
justified the award of any prizes, or were the property of bond fide breeders and
professional graziers.
16. During the year I made the suggestion that only the new small fairs
should be encouraged by awarding prizes at them, until it is seen whether they
are likely to assume fairly large dimensions and become well established; and
then, if established, the continuance or otherwise of awarding could be consi-
dered. I also suggested another plan to improve cattle, that is, the starting and
running a Government farm extensively and boldly on the lines of the Hissar
Government Farm which should be placed under the entire supervision of an
Imperial Officer of my department. But I consider the best results of all
would be obtained if cattle-breeding could be placed under the conditions
described in the paragraph under "Demand for Bulls."
17. For the better general management of judging at fairs, I issued a
circular letter to the various districts in which shows are usually held describing
therein how a judging ring and enclosures for competitors should be erected
and arranged. 1 am very grateful to the officers and gentlemen who were
responsible for running such shows, as in each instance they carried out mv
proposals most willingly. They were everywhere considered a great boon.
IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
18. The numerical strength of the subordinate veterinary staff employed
during the year was 63 against 54 last year (Table VII). The increase is due
to the appointment of an additional lecturer and of the 8 veterinary graduates
who passed out last year. The work done by the Veterinary Assistants at
dispensaries during the year under report may be described generally as
fairly satisfactory, but there are several instances where very good work has
been done. With regard to the itinerant men, their inoculation figures are
good, but as these men are under no supervision to speak of, we must await
another year or so before making any definite statements as to their capabilities
and as to the extent they are really helping on the work of the department.