18

Gujarat and Sind. Quite a large number of male buffaloes is im-
ported by road which find a market in the rice tract, particularly in
the Chhattisgarh division, for cultivation purposes. In regard to the
export trade, strictly speaking, this Province has no positive balance
in its favour. It is only the imported surplus that leaves the Province
as export.

65. Production of hides and skins.—The following
estimates are available for the five years ending 1939-40:—

Approximately 70 to 80 per cent of hides are obtained from dead
and fallen animals and are thus inferior in quality. During the last
two years the average number of horned cattle slaughtered in
licensed slaughter-houses was 59,093 oxen and 5,680 buffaloes.
These hides are reported to be more satisfactory for tanning. Avail-
able information shows that the Province had to import 3,693 maunds
of tanned hides and skins and leather annually during the quinquen-
nium ending 1939-40. Improvement in tanning practices is there-
fore likely to reduce this volume of import trade. At present there
are 11 tanneries in the Province including the Government tanneries
at Nagpur and Gosewa Charmalaya, Nalwadi, Wardha.

66. Sheep rearing for wool and mutton.—Sheep rearing
in this Province is not for any specific purpose. Mutton is, however,
the primary consideration, then comes wool and then other products
like skin, gut-casings, etc. Wherever these animals are available,
it is not an uncommon practice to utilize them for folding in fields
for manurial purposes. The sheep population during the last three
years has been estimated as under:—

The average estimated annual production of wool during the quin-
quennium ending March 1940 is 3,620 maunds. Shearing is done
two or three times a year and average yield of wool, per sheep per
year, is estimated at 1.4 lb. The average price of sheep ranges
between Rs. 3 to Rs. 3-8-0. No special premium is placed on wool
or mutton types.