16

year being 10,352 [13,501]. There was a balance of 231 eggs from
the last year's account and 72 were purchased during the year,
thus bringing the total to 10,655 eggs. The disposal of eggs during
the year was as follows:—

During the year, 55 [46] cockerels and three hens were supplied
free under the Poultry Improvement Scheme. In addition 32 [42]
cockerels, 89 [49] hens and 36 [15] chickens were sold.

62. Propaganda and extension work.—On the animal
husbandry side this activity consists of propaganda and demonstra-
tion work at the farms and establishment of controlled cattle-breeding
units in rural areas and their inspection. The activities of the farms
have been briefly reviewed above. During the period under review,
21 bulls were purchased from the Government grant and supplied
to the controlled breeding centres. The total number of approved
bulls (including buffalo bulls) at stud in the Province on the 1st
April 1940, was 252. There were 52 casualties during the year,
including old unserviceable animals which were castrated and sold,
thus leaving a balance of 221 at the close of the year.

The cattle improvement activities are being considerably
impeded by the growing tendency on the part of rural public to
depend entirely on free supply of bulls by the department. No
Government, however financially sound, can ever cope with the
huge demand in this matter. It is time, therefore, that the local
bodies and well-to-do land owning public came forward to share their
reasonable burden in their own area and thus supplement the efforts
of the department. Without such response the position will progress-
ively deteriorate and the magnitude of this task, which is of vital
concern to agricultural progress, will assume still alarming pro-
portions.

A criticism has often been levelled against the unsatisfactory
service rendered by bulls at controlled breeding centres. This
aspect is being investigated and arrangements are in progress for
rectifying the position wherever the grievence is genuine. It may
be observed, however, that at a number of centres this deterioration
has set in because of the unsatisfactory feeding of the stud animals
by owners, who by terms of agreement are entirely responsible for
their proper nutrition and maintenance.