98 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE DEMANDS OF AGRICULTURE ON VETERI- 

 NARY SCIENCE. 



By B. M. Hight, Skowhegan. 



Maine has a fine reputation for good stock. Our horses are 

 celebrated all over the country, and we need only to glance at 

 the pages of Mr. Thompson's " Alaine Bred Horses," to realize or 

 be convinced of this fact. The cattle of Maine are yearly becom- 

 ing more and more desirable in all that pertains to good breeding. 

 At any county fair one may see fine horses, cattle, sheep, bogs, 

 and improved breeds of the feathered tribe. The farmers in every 

 town vie with each other in friendly rivalry to produce the best 

 of the several classes. Very great advancement in the past has 

 been made in the direction of improved stock, and while much 

 has been accomplished much more remains to be done. But while 

 the farmers of Maine are not backward in eff"orts to improve the 

 breed and blood of stock of every class, there is one thing in 

 which they are backward ; they are indifferent in the matter of 

 health of the animals in their care, and which they are seeking to 

 improve in respect to breed and development. We can suggest 

 this neglect by reminding you that there are very few Veterinary 

 Surgeons in Maine. There are none in the smaller towns and 

 villages. There is a thought of importance connected with this 

 matter : all animals common on the farm are subject to disease 

 and accident. The horse has a very sensitive organization and 

 hence is liable to frequent and dangerous illnesses. Cows have 

 various ailments; sheep and hogs come in for a share in the 

 common portion, and even the egg producer is not always well. 



In 1873 the epizootic passed through the whole State; many 

 valuable horses died from the attacks, mainly because its nature 

 was not understood, and the village "horse doctor" found his 

 usual panacea entirely powerless. Now the farmers have learned 

 that care in the matter of taking cold, clean stables, proper food, 

 and the other things that belong to general health, with kind 

 attention, will carry a horse safely through common attacks of 



