264 AGRICULTURE OF MAIXE. 



There has been a large increase in the work of the department 

 within the last few years, so much so, that from a financial 

 standpoint, it has become one of the most important departments 

 of the State. This increase has been brought about by an 

 increased demand made upon the Commissioners, by boards of 

 health of the large cities and towns, demanding a cretificate of 

 health from owners of herds sending milk and cream to these 

 communities. 



Also dairymen in all sections of the State are testing their 

 herds in order to ascertain whether or not tuberculosis exists 

 among the animals, realizing the danger of this trouble in the 

 herd to the rest of the animals. 



Another feature was added to the work, by the passage of the 

 law of 1905, requiring the testing of pure blood animals. 



This law has done very much to reduce tuberculosis in the 

 State, going as it does, to the fountain head. Four years ago, 

 there was shown to be 20% among these herds, diseased, while 

 this year it has dropped to less than 5%. The law has been 

 shown to be a success and should be kept in force. 



As to the investigation of grade herds, public sentiment is so 

 strong among both dairymen and consumers in favor of healthy 

 cattle and dair\' products, that there seems to be no possible way 

 to retrench in the department at the present time. 



I am aware that there will be an effort made at the coming 

 legislature, to increase the work of the Commission, which will 

 add more expense to the department. The last two years, the 

 Commissioners have spent the appropriation of $50,000 and 

 have created a deficiency of $21,827.63. This deficiency could 

 easily have been enlarged to two or three times its size, 

 had the Commissioners lent willing and encouraging ear to the 

 many applications for work along the line of investigation. 

 There is a strong sentiment in the State for a general test, a gen- 

 eral law requiring all cattle to be tested. This would mean the 

 eradication of the disease from our herds, and while it would be 

 a result greatly to be desired, it is one of such large proporftions, 

 both financially and physically that it is very doubtful if any 

 legislature would lend its sanction and aid to the proposition. 



That the State should do more than it is doing is self evident, 

 or what has been done is a total loss. There are large sections 

 of the State where there is practically no disease. The work of 



