REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. II 



pastures that were covered with sweet fern, which saps the land 

 very much in many parts of our State, and we find that the 

 hogs will get to the roots of the sweet fern and follow them 

 from one bush to another, as the bushes all seem to be con- 

 nected, and in this way destroy the growth of this plant which 

 is such a pest in many of our pastures. 



It was a surprise to me to find so many owners of hogs in 

 different parts of the State that were not acquainted with the 

 symptoms of hog cholera and did not know there was any pre- 

 ventive. They would let their hogs die and get discouraged and 

 give up raising swine. 



No one can afford to keep hogs to any extent without having 

 a large hypodermic syringe and a supply of serum on hand. 

 Many swine raisers keep a supply on hand and at certain times 

 of the year, when the cholera is likely to break out, or when it 

 is known to be in that vicinity, they find it a good plan to inocu- 

 late the hogs with serum. That ensures the owner that his 

 hogs will not have the cholera, and it is a simple operation to 

 inoculate hogs that are exposed to or have symptoms of hog 

 cholera. 



CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



The Cattle Commission was added to this Department May 

 1st, 191 1, by an act of the legislature and the appointment of a 

 Live Stock Sanitary Commissioner by the Governor. It w^as 

 found very necessary to put this Avork on a business basis, as it 

 was not handled for the benefit of the people of the vState. 

 With three men as commissioners, in different parts of the State, 

 it was a difficult task to conduct such important work and do 

 it for the benefit of the owners of animals and the State; but 

 the new laws will be of great benefit to all concerned, especially 

 to the State financially, as it has been long recognized that 

 such a Commission should have an office at the State Capitol, 

 and conduct this work, as it should be conducted, from one 

 center in the State. 



