Abstract

The cattle in this district are either hill breeds (malaimadu: Alambadi and Burghurs) or Kongu-madu: plain breeds (nattumadu Kenganad) or Kangayan cattle. The Kangayam cattle are well known for their excellent qualities for draught purposes. The breed is highly valued and centres round Kangayam whence it is named. These are bred in the whole of the Dharapuram Taluk and the adjacent parts in the Erode, Palladam, Karur, Palani and Dindigal Taluks. The breed in its purest form is found in the herd of the Pattagar of Palaya- cottai the like of which cannot be seen anywhere else in the Kangayam tract. By a careful selection of heifers and sires for many years he has improved the size and the quality of the breed. He is the most exten- sive breeder in the Kangayam tract, so much so his animals are designated as "Pattagar's breed." It is very difficult to find another in this Presidency who pays so much attention or carries out the systematic cattle breeding as the Pattagar of Palayacottai.

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