22

                    III.—BREEDING OPERATIONS

                                    (1) BOVINES.

                      (i) Stud Bulls and their produce.

Stud Bulls.—Table VIII.

15. During the year 4 stud bulls were maintained at the Northcote Cattle
Farm, Chharodi. There were 36 stud bulls in the
districts, the property of local bodies, against 42 last
year. No statistics of their produce are available. The advantages of distri-
buting more stud bulls in suitable localities will be brought to the notice of local
bodies in due course. It is first necessary to determine in what areas their
services are indicated. Co-operation in this matter should be encouraged.
Stud bulls indiscriminately distributed are rarely valued but assistance from local
bodies is desirable.

               (ii) Bull Rearing and Breeding Farms and Depôts.

The Northcote Cattle Farm
(balance sheet).—Table IX.

16. The Northcote Cattle Farm, Chhárodi, remained under the supervision
of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
Bombay Presidency, and Veterinary Assistant P. V.
Nagarsheth held charge as Manager. The receipts
amounted to Rs. 6,957 and the expenditure to Rs. 18,465-14-0. The value
of the stock and the fodder at the close of the year was estimated at
Rs. 45,418-4-2.

Head of cattle.—Table IX- a.

17. Five hundred and four cattle were present on the 31st March 1914, an
increase of 19. One hundred and seventeen calves
were born against 70 in the previous year. Thirty-
three bulls, 5 bullocks, 13 cows, 5 heifers and 30 young stock were sold. Thirteen
cattle died from natural causes.

One young bull died from snake bite.

Foot and Mouth disease broke out on the Farm in November but caused
little inconvenience.

Fodder.—Table IX-a.

18. Eight lákhs lbs, of hay were made during the year, leaving a balance
of 1,413,200 lbs. at its close. Twenty-five thousand,
two hundred and twenty lbs. of jowári karbi remained
in stock. The cultivated area was sublet. The rainfall for the year was 27.22
inches or 2.3 inches under the average. Guvar, gram, bran and oil-cake were
purchased in the open market.

Improvements.

19. During the year the following improvements
were carried out at the Farm :—

(a) About two miles of cactus fence was planted.

(b) Clearing and levelling to facilitate the working of the mowing
machine was undertaken.

(c) Two additional Dutch barns were purchased and are being erected.
When a sufficient quantity of hay has been accumulated to provide for an
unfavourable season the surplus will be sold in the open market.

Visitors.

20. The Farm was visited by Professor Knight with a party of Agricultural
College students, Poona, twice by the Principal, Bom-
bay Veterinary College, with senior students, twice by
the Director of Agriculture, Bombay, Poona, and once by the Assistant
Collector in charge Sánand Táluka.

                                        (2) Equines.

                            (i) Horse and Pony Stallions.

Number of stallions.—Table
X.

21. At the commencement of the year there were 34 stallions on the
register—10 horses and 24 ponies. At its close there
were 37 consisting of 14 horses and 23 ponies.
Twenty-six stallions were distributed in the Deccan
and 11 in Gujarát. The number actually employed at the stud was 34. Five
stallions were purchased. One died and 1 was destroyed during the year.