DAIRY MEETING. 135 



exce]>t when the animal shows the disease by a physical exam- 

 ination. Had this been the policy of ]\Iaine we would have had 

 today at least 20% of our cattle diseased. Of the 25,000 cattle 

 tested last year, the records show only about 3 1-2% diseased 

 and the business has been extensive enough the last two years 

 to estsablish this fact. There is at present a strong sentiment 

 among dairymen and consumers for a general test. 



Federal control would mean a compulsory test. We do not 

 need a compulsory test in Maine. If the State would pay for 

 the testing of all grade herds, and 75% of the value of all 

 animals found diseased, at least one-half of the cattle in Maine 

 would be tested in the next two years, upon the owner's free 

 will. 



It would cost $75,000 to test 150.000 cattle and if 3% were 

 diseased it would cost $150,000 to pay for the cattle and other 

 expenses, or a total of $225,000 for the two years. I give these 

 figures to show what a general test would mean to the State; 

 not that they are absolutely correct but according to past experi- 

 ence they are fairly near the mark. 



If the State should see fit to expend $225,000 upon its cattle 

 industry for the purpose of eliminating tuberculosis and by so 

 doing it should increase the value of butter fat one cent per 

 pound, allowing each cow to produce one-half pound of butter 

 fat each day of the year, the increase from 150,000 cows would 

 be $273,750. This would give a balance in favor of the State 

 of $48,750. If these figures are correct, it must be conceded 

 a good investment, without taking into account the increased 

 value of the herds, by having them practically free from tuber- 

 culosis. It should be borne in mind that each following year 

 the expense would grow less and less the same as in the testing 

 of the Portland milk supply. The first year it cost $10,500; this 

 last year (the third test) we are hardly noticing the expense 

 as there is a very small per cent reported as diseased. The 

 des^ree of infection caused bv tuberculous animals when housed 

 tos:ether should be brought to the attention of everv dairvman. 

 I will mention two cases that have come under my personal 

 observation very recently. One was a herd tested three years 

 ago and proved to be sound. About two months after the test 

 a fresh cow was bought that showed no physical signs of the 



