April' 1, 1899.] Sapplemeni to the" Tropical Agriculturist." 
741 
using in the boxes, not. that a little sediment or 
mud -will harm the fi>h, in fact it does good rather 
than harm, as it helps to kill any iuiXDurities that 
may arise in the boxes, but to guard against the 
danger of any enemy to the fry getting among 
them, such as crabs, frogs, and insect larvae. A 
box fitted with frames to slide in grooves, and the 
frames filled with coconut fibre, makes a good filter 
for the purpose, and requires very little cleaning. 
The filter may be placed inside the hatchery if 
space will permit, and the water led from it into 
the distributing box to supply the hatching boxes. 
An overflow ought to be made in a suitable plr.ce 
in the distributing box but higher than the outlets 
to the hatching boxes so as to keep it from 
overflowing and running into the boxes, 
John C. Scott, 
Jonker's Hoek, 
ME. MOLLISON'S EEPOKT ON THE 
POONA DAIEY. 
The linaucical results shown in the appended 
balance sheet aie disappointing. The net cost 
woAs out E831. It will be noticed, however, 
that the valuation of livestock at the end of the 
year shows a decrease of El, 840. Uud.-r ordinary 
conditions there ought to have been .'in increase, 
because tliough there should be a liber.'il deduction 
for depreciation in the value of the older animals, 
it should be more than counterbalanced by a 
corresponding increase in the value of the young 
stock owing to the natural increase of the herd 
and improvement during the year in value of 
growing animals. There were 187 animals in the 
herd at the end of the year as compared with 19'2 
at the beginning. 35 animals were sold, chiefly 
old worn-out cows and buffaloes and young bull 
calves. The older animals had necessarily to be 
valued at a lower figure than in the previous year, 
because owing to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth 
disease many of the milch cattle, and in particular 
the bufifaloes, had gone dry when they became 
affected with disease, There was then an unduly 
large proportion of the animals di y at the end of the 
year, receipts for the year being El, 800 less than 
in previous year. Among older animals there were 
no deaths attributable to the disease, but pregnant 
animals aborted in some instances and many young 
calves died. Affected animals were segregated as 
the disease appeared, and their treatment, especi- 
ally in the case of heavy buffaloes, g.ive much 
trouble. They had to be thrown daily, so that 
their feet could be examined, washed and dressed. 
The milk of the affected animals was of course not 
issued. The difficulties connected w-ith segregation 
•were considerable. It was found hard to deter- 
mine, in the early stage of the disease, whether 
or not particular animals were affected. Sliglit sali- 
vation without any rise in temperature was the 
first noiiceable sign. But such might occur in a 
perfectly healthy animal. If, however, an affected 
salivating animal was not at once removed, the 
saliva or other excretions apparently proved a 
ready source of contagion to ad jacent animals in 
the stalls. The contagion was chiefly from animal 
to adjacent animal in the stalls, and this notwith- 
standing the fact that the whole of the healtliy or 
apparently healthy were at pasture during the day. 
Tl ( stalls, feeding boxes, gear, &c. were thoroughly 
disinfected with phenyle twice daily. Every care 
was tiiken regarding segregation of animals and 
attendants, yet fully one-third of the herd became 
affected. 
'J he Dairy produce from 77 .mimals in milk 
was sold for E15,242. These animals yielded 
a fair profit. But the upkeep of the young 
stock had also to be met, and this expense is 
always heavy. The cost of concentrated food 
consequent upon scarcity in the year of famine 
was considorablj' above the average during the 
greater portion of the year. Tlie value of concen- 
trated food and fodder bought, the rent of grass 
land, and haymaking expenses amounted to 
Ei2,570. The' fodder" on hand at the end of 
the year amounted to E2,876. The difference 
represents the value of food consumed by the 
whole herd during the year. The costliness of the 
upkeep of the young stock has been referred to. 
This is a continger.cy that cannot be avoided. The 
majority of Indian cows, and specially Indian 
buffaloes will n.ot yield their milk freel}- unless 
the calf is allowed to suckle or is tied near the 
dam at milking time. I am aware that some 
authorities di^pute this conclusion. 
The calves of docile tempered Aden cattle might 
possibly be advantngeously weaned at birth, also 
of cows and buffaloes with feeble maternal 
instincts, particularly if the practice is started 
when a particular animal produces a first calf. 
Taking one animal with another, I think it is best 
to follow the indigenous method and allow the 
calves to suckle. If this, how^ever, is allowed, the 
owner is in the imenviable position of knowing 
that the calf will consume, before it is weaned, 
many times its own value in milk. This is 
especially true of he buffalo calves. Their value, 
when a year old, rarelj- exceeds Eo. Even in the 
case of she buffalo calves and the young stock 
from cows if liand fed with any degree of liberality 
from bii th, the cost of upkeep exceeds their value 
considerably, particularly if sold as yearlings or 
two years old. This statement holds good in any 
purely agiicultural district, and the question may 
be asked how can cattle breeders afford to breed 
cattle at all. Tiie answer is where the cattle 
breeding is practised to any extent and followed 
on systematic lines, extensive grazing lands exist 
and other suitable facilities and conditions. The 
extensive tracts of grass land west of Ahamadabad 
along the Ean of Cutch, the Gir hills of fiathiawar 
and the JSatpuda ranges in Holker's territories are 
notable examples. In each case well-known pure 
breeds of cattle are raited at purely nominal cost. 
The annual grazing charges never exceed a rupee 
for a full-grown animal, and usually range from 4 
annas to 12 according to age. 
In our cattle-breeding operations we have taken 
up a certain line, viz., breeding for milk. In this 
connection it is necessary that our young stock 
shall be maintained in continuously thriving con- 
dition as tliey grow, and in consequence their cost 
of upkeep will be considerable and ne»essarily much 
liighur in the Poona district or in any other agri- 
cultural distric":- than would be the case in cattle- 
breeding districts proper. When, tlierefore, the 
prolitablo part of our .-itock — tlie animals in milk — 
get out of profit through contagious disease of ft 
lerious nature, the balance is likely to oi)pear on 
