ACG. 1, 1903.J 
THE TROPICAL AaRtCULTURIST. 
91 
LIVESTOCK IN CEYLON: 
THE VISIT, AND OPINIONS, OF A 
GERMAN SPECIALIST. 
It will be remembered that at the instance 
of Mr. Duncan Skrine-with an experience 
ol farming and stock-raising m England, 
as well as of planting and mercantile lite 
in Ceylon,-we, in August last yoav. dis- 
cussed at some length the prospects of 
cattle stations and stock-raisuig in the 
North-Central regions of Ueylon atter t^ie 
new railway is opened. After twice visiting 
the N -C Province, once at the end ot tne 
dry sp'ason, Mr. Skrine was of opinion that 
cattle (and goats especially) should thrive 
there-iust as well as in Southern India 
whence we draw so large a supply of live-stock 
of all kinds every year. Our total importa- 
tion in 1901 was 29,093 cattle and lll,/3.^ 
sheep and goats beside 453 hor^^.^' "le gross 
nominal value being nearly Rl,oOO,000. For 
1902. the figures are : - 
Number. Value: rupees. 
Cattle ... 29,232 -5.52,167 
Sheep ... 60,136 356,932 
Goats .. 43.670 2/0.107 
Horses ... 469 1 16,660 
Total .. 133,507 1,295,866 
Mr. Skrine distinctly stated that he found 
fiattle looking better at the end of the dry 
season in Anuradhapura district than they 
!fere in South-western Ceylon with its 
much heavier rainfall, and he prognosticated 
f future for the North Central division 
fn the feeding and raising of live stock 
when the enterprise was properly entered 
unon and the land cleared for the purpose 
^We recur to this subject at present be- 
cause of a visit we have had from a very 
intelligent and interesting German Spe- 
Sst in Director von Drathen, whose 
trto to the East and excursion through 
Cevlon is chiefly directed to an examina- 
tion of, and inquiry into, live stock and 
more particularly cattle, of al degrees, habi- 
Utf and breeds. After learmng all he could 
about Colombo, the Agricultural farm and 
da°ry etc., Mr. von Drathen went to 
Kurunegala and Kandy and having ventured 
to eive him some letters of introduction 
he has been good enough to record his 
iinpressions in so interestmg a way that we 
cannot but quote from the two letters 
^^'^^Kurune^la, May 27. -I am so much under 
oWieation to you for valuable advice on niy 
researches and for actually introducing me to the 
proper men, that I mu.b express to you my 
Sncerest thanks. Mr. Burrows and Mr. Modder 
P«,eciallv have takeu the matter up with great 
interest and have levelltd the way tor nie in 
every respect. Now let me give you my idea -of 
nmir^p as vet an imperfect one -of the state of 
cattle interests and bree.iing in Ceylon. First of all 
the import bill* seems to be rather heavy and 
"This we take it, means that our imports of 
live stock areto'o heavy and, if so, we quite agree 
and should like to see the local supply increased, 
_Ed. t.a. 
12 
mostly tlie interest evinced by agiiculturiits seems 
of a passive nature. There seems to have been of 
late rather a decrease than an increase of 
cattle. Great losses by infectious diseases and the 
application of artificial nianure instead of animal 
m;',nure, seems to be principally responsible for it.* 
There is a healthy demand as well for beef, milk- 
ing cattle and draui^hfc-cattle. In view of a big 
supply at low piices of beef-cattle from India and, 
jjerhaps, from Austraiia, the producing of beef- 
cattle on a larger scale, would not seem remuner- 
ative and advisable, especially as a big proportion 
of the native populatioL does not eat meat. 
*' More (better) prospects give (are found in) the 
breeding of drauglit-cattle and to a certain extent 
of milk-cattle. It does not seem advisable to lay 
too great stress on the milking qualities of tiie 
native cattle — the greater the quantity of milk, 
the more they would lose their liardinpss, their 
activity and their, ac present, very modest claims 
on care and keeping. If niilk-cattle are requireil, I 
should advise to support milking strains from India 
and breed them pure. The crossinj; with native 
is tedious and uncertain in results. Those iugova- 
tions should, of course, only be introduced where 
interest is shown— it cannot be at all created and 
sown broadcast. 
" With draught-cattle the problem is easier. A 
general demand and better prices are the rule. As 
far as I can see two distinct types are required : 
one type, lighter, more active and energetic for the 
small holder, with little care, for lighter loads and 
for quick transport ; the other type, large and 
heavy, for big loads and long distances at a slow 
pace. The combination is not possible and, in my 
opinion, not desirable. The bigger animal would 
require more food and care, which he surely would 
not get — he is then sure to deteriorate. The ' 
bigger type of the South Indian or Nelbre cattle 
would have to be bred pure, perhaps, on the 
estates (Mi. de Soysa and other large holders 
could tell). The smaller type cannot be missed ; 
of course, it can be improved in stature and 
frame, but the type must remain the same. 
Improvements can be inaugurated by rigid castra- 
tion of young bulls not required for breeding 
purposes at young age — all breeding bulls to be 
approved by veterinary authorities. If the 
communities or Government would give small 
prizes or encourage nent for well-kept and well- 
giown breeding bulls, it would be a further step 
to touch up with small means large interests. Of 
course, exchange of blood from different districts, 
buying and rearing of bull calves in rational ways, 
etc. would improve results. Before a more stable 
and regular supply of fodder is secured, no larger 
cattle breed should be introduced. And before the 
rigid suppression ot disease is assured, the 
small holder will not invest largely in more 
expensive cattle. 
" Another point for the future seems to me, 
that the cultivation of the different plantations 
under the stress of lowering prices for pro- 
ducts and higher expenses has to be looked 
for, viz., working of the soil. That means draught- 
cattle. 
"The regime of the artificial manure will be 
not everlastint; and not unlimited — animal manure 
will, as Europe has proved— in the long run, more 
* We take it the Director thinks cattle manure 
should be used more freely on estates ; but it is 
very expensive, — Ed. T.A. 
