GOVERN MKN'I I \K\1S 



LIVE STOCK 



Uulfaloou 



lawn, i. -r, 



about the bignesse of our great Dogs in England." 

 1 I ; Terry, I.e. 144-5, 187.] 

 But, excepting at the homesteads of the wealthy or at the experimental 

 owned by Government, special selection of stock or the rearing 

 of healthy, well-formed bulls for service purposes is practically unknown 

 from one end of India to the other. The story told by Abul Fazl of the 

 \ Stalls " kept by the Emperor Akbar reads more like a proclamation 

 of the pageant of the all-wise and good Emperor than a statement of hi.s 

 efforts touunls t IM- improvement of the cattle of India. The Ainrit Mahal 

 lu-eed is said to have been introduced into Mysore and specially developed 

 .ider Ali for military purposes. But history tells of no Hindu Prim n 

 who devoted anything like the attention Akbar bestowed on this most 

 portant subject. 



Indian agriculture has for centuries been and is to-day essentially 

 easant industry. It is in the hands of persons who have the traditional 

 mv ledge of their ancestors to guide them, but absolutely no capital 

 levond that absorbed in daily necessities. Each person, as a rule, keeps 

 .t two or three cows, and cannot afford to keep a bull. And more- 

 er, since the male offspring are not generally emasculated until 

 iy are three years old, the cows are served by immature and as often 

 not diseased, degenerated or otherwise undesirable males. Improve- 

 nt of the breed under these conditions is naturally very difficult. For 

 e years past, however, the Government of India have recognised the 

 >ligation of initiating a reform, and with this in view have had superior 

 ills reared at special farms (such as those of Hissar, Charodi, Pusa, etc.) 

 d presented to districts where it was desired to improve the local breed 

 cattle. Voelcker alludes approvingly to this action, and urges that the 

 .tisfactory results attained should be pushed forward until the remotest 

 rners of the Empire have been reached. So also the Government have 

 ed very greatly by encouraging local fairs and cattle shows, by awarding 

 ial prizes on the verdict of high expert officials who have been deputed 

 visit the shows for that purpose. But it is well known that half-bred 

 .ttle contract rinderpest and other common diseases in a most virulent 

 and rarely recover under treatment, while many indigenous breeds 

 comparatively immune. This has accordingly led to belief that the 

 t results are likely to be obtained by breeding strictly within carefully 

 icted and special local stocks, not promiscuous inter-breeding of all 

 es. 



(A) Chief Breeds of Indian Buffaloes. The breeds of buffaloes have 

 as yet been critically studied. Until this has been done, little more 

 .n be accomplished here than to indicate those most frequently spoken 

 of. Terry gives a curious reference (Voy. E. Ind., 1622 (abrid. ed. Havers), 

 1665, 359) to " a very large beast having a smooth thick skin without hair 

 called a buffalo which gives good milk ; the flesh of them is like beef but 

 neither so toothsome nor wholesome." 



In rice-growing tracts buffaloes are extensively used for tillage and 

 cartage work. But although they thrive well in wet climates, the best 

 breeds are met with in localities of moderate rainfall and under the con- 

 ditions best suited for cattle-breeding. But buffaloes must have access to 

 water, and require to be bathed once or twice a day if they are to be kept 

 in health. It is also customary to clip off their sparse coat of hair once or 

 twice a year. Buffaloes vary in colour, but the majority have black, shining 



735 



No Hindu 

 Drlopment. 



Akbar 1 * 

 "Oow BUlls." 



Hui.ler All 1 * 

 Military Breed. 



Traditional 

 Knowledge. 



Bull Neglected. 



Bulls presented 

 to Districts. 



Local 

 Selection. 



Crosses. 



Breeds of 

 Buffaloes. 



Early European 

 Opinion. 



Rice-growing 

 Tracts. 



Colour. 



