20 ANNUAL KEPOETS OP DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



owners of the National Dairy Show herd for expenses incurred 

 by them incident to the quarantine, specifically provided that the 

 beef or dairy value only should be the basis of the appraisement. 

 As the disease still prevails in certain parts of Illinois and there is 

 no guaranty that it may not spread, it would seem that for the 

 ensuing year an appropriation equal to the current one should be 

 made. It may not be necessary to expend the appropriation ; but it 

 would be exceedingly unfortunate if the disease were to spread or 

 reappear and the department had no adequate funds or authority. 

 The estimates contain an item covering this matter. In connection 

 with it the suggestion is made that in payment for animals hereafter 

 purchased for slaughter the appraisement may be based on the beef, 

 dairy, or breeding value, provided that in case of appraisement based 

 on breeding value no payment for any animal shall exceed three 

 times the beef or dairy value. Both equity and practical expediency 

 justify taking breeding value into account. The practical considera- 

 tion is this : Prompt action is of the highest importance, and if owners 

 feel that they will not receive a fair return they may resist the Federal 

 and State authorities. A maximum limit also seems essential to 

 speedy settlement. The department would exercise the requisite care 

 and is not apprehensive that extravagant appraisements would be 

 permitted. 



HOG CHOLERA AND SERUM. 



Experiments for the purpose of determining the best method to 

 control or eradicate hog cholera demonstrate that, by employing 

 certain systems involving the use of hog-cholera serum, losses can 

 be reduced to a minimum and the swine industry greatly benefited. 

 The work also shows, however, that success over a large territory 

 would require the employment of an immense force of men and the 

 expenditure of enormous sums. It seems that, at the present time, 

 a country-wide campaign for the eradication of the disease would be 

 ill advised. The problem is not one for the Federal Government 

 alone. Before an active campaign is begun the various States should 

 have more effective laws relating to diseases of live stock and more 

 extensive organizations for enforcing such laws. 



In round numbers, there are produced annually in the United 

 States 200,000,000 cubic centimeters of serum. Of this amount, ap- 

 proximately 50,000,000 cubic centimeters, or about 25 per cent, are 

 prepared by State governments. Serum is produced by the Federal 



