256 BOARD OF . AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



State Veterinary Inspector has been called in and the animals 

 have been treated for tuberculosis, and whole herds, in some 

 instances, have been slaughtered. It is that that I am seeking 

 to guard against. I do not know whether you have any tuber- 

 culosis in Connecticut. I hope you have not, but if you have 

 I think you may take it for granted that it has arisen from one 

 of two sources. The first source is too close breeding of the 

 animals, in and in breeding, and the second source, and the far 

 more fruitful source, is keeping the cows in stables too warm, 

 and more particularly where they are illy ventilated. I think 

 you will find that tuberculosis has arisen from that cause a 

 great deal oftener than from exposure, or from giving them 

 that shock to the system to which you have referred. Of 

 course, it is bound to occur if you turn them out in the cold, 

 but I think the danger is the greatest from the source I have 

 indicated. 



Secretary Brown. How many times daily w^ould you feed 

 a herd of dairy cows, twice or three times? There is a differ- 

 ence in practice on that point. 



Prof. Shaw, I would feed but twice a day. If the ani- 

 mals are given enough twice a day at regular times they eat 

 that food up and then they stand in perfect rest and manufac- 

 ture that food into condition to be assimilated, that is, by chew- 

 ing it over in the cud. I think the best results will be gotten 

 in that way. 



A Member. Do you advocate giving warm water to dairy 

 cattle or cold water? 



Prof. Shaw. I question whether it will pay to give hot 

 water to a herd of dairy cattle, especially if they can get access 

 to good pure water as it comes from a well, an ordinary well 

 or from a good spring. If they have to choose between drink- 

 ing from a vat in the yard where the ice has been broken away, 

 and the water is icy cold, then I would say give the warm water 

 unquestionably, but I do not think the cattle need it heated if 

 they can get it from any such source as I have indicated. 



