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                                                              ARARIA SUBDIVISION—PURNEA DISTRICT

                          Inofrmation in connection with proposals for improving the breed of cattle in Bengal.

Serial
number.

Questions.

Answers.

2

3

1

What is the total land area of the subdivision (cultivated, grazing, and
stcrile, separately, if practicable) ?

Total area 688,640 acres, of which 410,000 acres are under cultivation.
The rest consists of grazing and sterile lands.

2

Is any land available on a Government estate or otherwise, and If so, on
what estate, which is suited for cattle-breeding ?

There are no Government estates whose land is available which is suited
for cattle-breeding, but such land is available in private estates, viz.,
Nathpur, Kusmaul, Mirdone, Ralawtar, Koskapur. Maptoa, Raghunath-
pur, Kanheli, Khapouha in pargana Harout, thana Matiari, Govind-
pur, Sirsin, Sikligarh, Dharbara, Khajuri, Parsa, Pari Hari in thana
Raniganj.

3

How are cattle fed, whether stall-fed or grazed, or both ; and whether any
grain, &c., is allowed ?

Generally grazed, but grain is given to cart bullocks and also to a few
milch cows kept by gentlemen.

4

Is grazing scarce or plentiful ? ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Scarce during the hot season, when the grass on sandy plains becomes
quite dry. Plentiful in other seasons.
In hot seasons herds of cattle are sent to Morung in Nipal as well as to
villages enumerated in answer to question No. 2.

5

Is there any scarcity of drinking-water for cattle ? ... ... ... ...

No.

6

Are the cattle sheltered during the winter and rains? ... ... ... ...

Generally not sheltered.

7

Number of bulls in paoportion to cows, and whether sufficient or not ? ...

1 bull to 150 kine—sufficient.

3

Do the calves have all the cows' milk ; if not, how much ? ... ... ...

They generally have, except in the neighbourhood of towns, where cow
milk is purchased.

9

At what age are calves weaned, and how are they fed after weaning ? ...

Whore kine are milked, calves are weaned a month after their birth.
They are then fed with green grass, mustard cakes dissolved in water.
They also get a portion of the cows' milk.

10

At what age are bull-calves gelded, and when do they begin work ? ...

Up to 3 years of age ; from the 4th year.

11

Is foddor stored for cattle, and if so, what does it comprise ? ... ...

Foddor is stored for cattle by well-to-do people only. It comprises the
straw of winter rice and chaffs of rabi crops.

12

Average yield of milk, and how long after calving do the cows continue
to give milk ?

Three-fourths of a seer ; Cows continue to give milk about six months
after calving.

13

Average price of local bulls, cows, and bullocks

Bulls are never sold. Average price of a cow is Rs. 15 ; average price
of a bullock, Rs. 15.

14

Ditto of imported ditto ... ... ... ... ... ...

An imported bullock will cost about Rs. 40 on an average. No imported
bull in this Subdivision, and imported cow is very rare.

15

Whenco do the imported cattle come, and for what purpose are they
imported ?

Imported cattle come from Saran, Muzaffarpur, and Darbhanga, and are
used for ploughs and carts.

16

Is there any special system of cattle management in your subdivision?

No.

17

What is the average height of the best bulls behind hump? ... ...

It is extremely difficult to catch a bull. Bulls are always let loose 4
feet 6 inches would be the average height.

18

What is the average height of the worst bulls behind hump? ... ...

3 foot 3 inches.

19

What is the average height of cows? ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

3 foot 6 inches.

20

Arc Brahmini bulls lot loose? ... ... ... ...

Yes.

21

Are there too many Brhmini bulls? ... ... ... ... ...

No.