January, 1909.] 



57 



LIVE STOCK. 



THE IMPROVEMENT OF CATTLE 

 IN CEYLON. 



What has struck rne forcibly for some 

 years is that absolutely nothing has 

 been done to improve the breeding of 

 the cattle in the island. The present 

 state of this valuable country's asset 

 is in a most deplorable condition and 

 is getting worse year by year. The 

 village cattle, generally speaking, are 

 almost beyond description, ill bred, 

 emaciated, stunted beasts— a good num- 

 ber of them being about the size of 

 a Lincoln ram. Estate cattle are a little 

 better, but as a rule (as the cattle are 

 kept for manurial purposes and estate 

 work) no trouble is taken — such as cas- 

 trating, and only keeping bulls sufficient 

 for stud purposes, the innovating of 

 fresh blood, the not over-stocking 

 of the estate, the making of provision 

 for the dry seasons in the form of sweet 

 ensilage &c, &c. This is a subject well 

 worthy of the attention of our Govern- 

 ment, and our progressive Governor. I 

 am sure that, if a feasible scheme is 

 placed before him (not of course on a 

 too elaborate scale), he would without 

 doubt, seeing that it is an absolute 

 necessity for the economy and progress 

 of the country, find the wherewithal 

 for the successful carrying out of it. 

 I will now try and explain what I mean 

 by my previous statement " that it is 

 an absolute necessity for the economy 

 and progress of the country." 



(1) Q. From where does a large pro- 

 portion of our draft stock come? — A. 

 —From India. 



(2) Q. From where does our dairy 

 stock come ?— A.— Mostly from India and 

 a few from Australia. 



(3) Q. From where does a portion 

 of our killing stock come ?— A.— From 

 India. 



(4) Q. Why is India our chief sup- 

 plier ? — A.— Because we seem to have 

 allowed cattle breeding to look after 

 itself, 



(5) Q. What is the quality of our 

 beef supply ?—A.~Bad, very bad, and 

 generally tasteless, tough and without 

 fat. 



(6) Q. What constitutes our home- 

 bred kdling stock?- A. —Generally cast 

 off working bulls and other half-starved 

 cattle. 



8 



(7) Q. What is the meaning of " the 

 economy of a country "?— A.— The keep- 

 ing of as much money as possible in the 

 country. 



(8) Q. Has anything been done to 

 carry out this economic question as far 

 as cattle are concerned ?— A.— Absolutely 

 nothing. 



(9) Q. Is it possible for this draining 

 of our money to India to be stopped ? 

 — A. — I feel certain that it can be done, 

 (not at once of course), not only from 

 an economic point, but also from a pro- 

 gressive point of view, if a thoroughly 

 workable scheme is started, and worked 

 out by capable hands. 



Now, the question is — how is this to 

 be done? In my humble opinion the 

 first thing necessary is the establish- 

 ment of a Government stock farm under 

 the management of one who thoroughly 

 understands the breeding and manage- 

 ment of stock, the growing of permanent 

 pasture and green fodder, ensilage mak- 

 ing, milking and training of dairy cattle, 

 ploughing, the thorough tilling of land 

 for agricultural purposes, machinery, 

 &c, &c.,— in fact a qualified practical 

 agriculturist. This farm should be gran- 

 ted about 800 to 900 acres of land, if 

 possible near an irrigation tank, in a 

 district physically suitable. Now I will 

 give you a list of the implements, &c, 

 that would be necessary for the working 

 of this farni- 



One small traction engine. 

 Three American "Planet Junior' 

 ploughs. 

 One set disc harrows. 

 One roller. 



One single t: Planet Junior " cultivator 

 One chaff cutter (for ensilage making), 

 One hay knife. 

 Six hay forks. 



One small circular saw and bench. 



Two double bullock carts. 



One waggon to be used as a cart for 

 the engine. 



Three pairs heavy Indian or other 

 draft bulls. 



A supply of cattle medicines. 



All the above mentioned, except the 

 engine, do not cost much- 



Once the land is secured a portion of 

 about 300 acres must be felled and burnt 

 off (after securing sufficient timber for 

 fencing and building purposes.) Now 

 must be started the extracting of the 

 slumps. This as a rule is a very expen- 



