488 REPORT ON THE TRANSIT OF STOCK. 



modify. And so in this case, stock is simply a description of 

 merchandise, and can claim no exemption from the ordinary laws 

 of trade. The stockowner's ordinary profit must cover the risk 

 of disease as well as any other consideration affecting it ; and 

 the operation of these proposed regulations can in no way con- 

 stitute a claim for compensation, because they would not tend to 

 increase that risk, but to lessen and modify it ; and therefore, to 

 propose compensation for animals slaughtered or detained in this 

 way, is simply to propose to insure the stockowner against loss 

 from disease, which of course is preposterous. We therefore 

 •consider that this matter does not admit of doubt. 



We submit these regulations of transit as sufficient for the ordi- 

 nary purposes of stock traffic, having consideration to the neces- 

 sities and peculiar requirements of the trade, being free enough 

 to obviate all danger to the development of the trade, and com- 

 prehensive enough to grasp the main difficulty ; and although 

 more stringent measures have been already in force, we do not 

 think they are called for under ordinary circumstances, but 

 should be held in reserve for times of unusual danger. 



In connection with this part of the subject, a passing allusion 

 seems necessary to the traffic in foreign stock, which, so far as the 

 accommodation in transit for the animals can be regulated by 

 the home authorities, ought to be placed under conditions similar 

 to those proposed for home stock. In regard to the debarkation 

 and transit of this description of stock, experience has proved 

 over and over again that great restrictions are necessary for its 

 safe conduct, and we heartily endorse the proposal that has been 

 made, viz., to assign or license certain ports, at convenient points 

 on our coast, for the importation of foreign stock, and that these 

 ports only should be used; farther, that all fat stock so im- 

 ported be slaughtered there, the offal of which (hide, &c.) be 

 also either manufactured there, or be thoroughly disinfected 

 before being sent inland. Secondly, that all store stock be sub- 

 jected to a quarantine of twenty-eight days before being allowed 

 to proceed. These restrictions, it is believed, would not mate- 

 rially injure the foreign trade, while they would almost entirely 

 stop the door by which the worst epidemics to which stock is 

 heir have been introduced into this country ; and if these 

 restrictions did lessen the foreign trade somewhat, the loss would 

 far more than be repaid in the security thus insured to the home 

 stock, which is certainly entitled to the first consideration in a 

 matter so important. 



Having now glanced over this important and wide-spreading 

 subject, and endeavoured to set it forth truly and fairly as it now 

 exists, with all its benefits, wants, and disadvantages, we cannot 

 ■close this paper without earnestly beseeching the attention and 

 help of all societies and chambers for the promotion of agriculture, 



