128
It will have been proved that the breed thrives well in Uganda, or can make a good gross with the native long-haired varieties of goats, I would then be ready to recom: mend the purchase of very superior stock for breeding purposes. At first I only propose to make tentative experiments on a very small scale and under my own personal supervision. The goats should not, I think, cost more than £10 to £15 apiece landed in Mombasa, and the expense could be met out of general savings on the appropriation for agricultural services.
2. Mr. Stockman considers that if it be decided to import Mysore bulls into Uganda, the Government of India should be asked to help in the selection of the animals. Bulls of good strong type, for transport purposes, should be chosen, and they should be kept under close veterinary supervision for at least two months before leaving India. In previous correspondence I have already recommended the advisability of strengthening the existing breed of cattle in Ankole by the intro- duction of new blood. The Mysore breed seems to be very closely allied to the indigenous stock of Ankole, and I believe that the introduction of a new strain from Mysore would have a good effect, without materially modifying the valuable and salient characteristics of the Ankole breed.
3. I recommend, therefore, that the Government of India be asked to procure, for Uganda, two good young bulls of the Mysore variety, and that Mr. Stockman be asked to help in indicating the precautionary measures that might be taken, before the dispatch of the animals, so as to have a reasonable guarantee that they are free from dangerous disease. The cost of the bulls can be met out of general savings.
4. The introduction of two Mysore bulls into the Leeward Islands, about 20 years ago, produced extraordinarily good results in those Colonies, and there is, I think, reason to expect an equally good effect from such a step in Uganda.
I am, &c.,
H. HESKETH BELL,
His Majesty's Commissioner, Uganda.
127
Enclosure in No. 182.
HONOURABLE COLONIAL SECRETARY,
BREEDING by selection has been taken up by two chiefs with very fair results. 2. Chief Nonko has already bred three calves by selection, all of which were heifers, and has got some more of his people to take the matter up.
3. (A.) Chief Dussu Sourie has entered into the thing thoroughly. The last lot of cows selected by him were all springers (ie., cows that have not as yet had a calf), although it will be some 18 months before any progeny from this stock may be looked for. I think the system, if anything, is better than starting with cows that have already calved, and who were no doubt served by inferior bulls, as there will be no chance of such cows throwing back, which, like other animals, is not unknown with cattle.
(B.) Dussu Sourie has set apart one of his fackais solely for breeding by selection, and has at the fackai for the present got six cows and one very fine bull. I intend, with the chief's assistance, to turn it into a regular breeding station for the Yalunka Chiefs. I have little doubt that even if the other Yalunka Chiefs won't go in for improving the breed themselves they will readily send some of their cows out to the breeding station, and doubtless, when they see the advantages of the system, they will themselves take it up.
4.
With His Excellency's approval, I suggest that a proper man be appointed to live at this breeding station, and I further suggest that he receives a bonus of 5s. yearly for every cow under his charge, and that the station be exempt from all payment of house tax provided the houses do not exceed four houses in number.
5. If His Excellency agrees to my suggestions I shall take a tour through the Yalunka country and tell the chiefs of the advantages of sending their cows to the breeding station.
6. From your minute, February 7, 1907, stating that all young bulls should be killed, I suggest that such bulls for the present be kept as otherwise we cannot hope to get the full results of breeding by selection. It will be time to think of killing the same when a new breed of cattle has been introduced.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TLC.O. 885
20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
35191
(No. 384.)
No. 182.
SIERRA LEONE.
GOVERNOR PROBYN to THE EARL OF ELGIN.
(Received October 4, 1907.)
[Answered by No. 196.]
Government House, Freetown.
MY LORD,
Sierra Leone, September 18, 1907. I HAVE the honour to enclose copy of a Minute from Major Warren, the District Commissioner of the Koinadugu district, dated the 26th of August, and addressed to the Colonial Secretary, on the subject of improving the breed of cattle by selection.
2. I propose authorizing a grant under the Head "Agricultural Develop- ment," to cover the bonus recommended by Major Warren in paragraph 4 of his Minute, and also to cover the house tax on four houses, viz.: £1, as recommended by him.
3. Two of the Yonni Chiefs in the Ronietta district are carrying out the system.
Major Fairtlough reports that the small size of the cattle in some places is undoubtedly due to in-breeding, and that good results may be reasonably anticipated if the Government programme is persisted in.
4. Several of the transport cattle on the new railway roads have died, and I fear that this may be due to tsetse fly. Should it be ascertained that the local cattle are not immune, little good will, I fear, result from the attempt now being made to improve cattle in the Protectorate.
I have, &c.,
L. PROBYN,
Governor
:
Kaballa,
August 26, 1907.
26660
No. 183.
H. J. WARREN,
District Commissioner.
SOUTHERN NIGERIA
COLONIAL OFFICE to the SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF
THE WILD FAUNA OF THE EMPIRE.
[ Published as No. 34 in [Cd, 4472], January, 1909.]
35975
No. 184.
Downing Street, October 5, 1907.
SIERRA LEONE.
THE SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE WILD FAUNA OF THE EMPIRE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received October 9, 1907.)
Dubrin, Transey Wania, October 6, 1907.
[ Published as No. 35 in [Cd. 4472], January, 1909.]
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