188 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The resolution was adopted. 



Question. I would like to ask the professor one ques- 

 tion : What, in his judgment, would be the eifect upon do- 

 mestic animals of eatmg the product of a silo day after da}^ 

 and week after week, through the wiiiter? "Whether it would 

 induce any disease in the stock ? That is a serious question 

 to my mind. 



Professor Goessmanist. Feeding exclusively ensilage in 

 large quantities is not to be recommended. It ought to be 

 supplemented, without doubt, in many instances, with some 

 other stronger article of food. Ensilage contains frequently 

 a large quantity of acid, and I should recommend that it be 

 supplemented by something else to counteract the effect of 

 the acid. For instance, give forty pounds of ensilage, and 

 supplement with some hay, and similar, even stronger articles 

 of fodder from time to time. No one article of fodder can 

 be used economically for all kinds of animals in different 

 conditions, with equal advantages. 



The Chairman. Before dissolving this meeting, in be- 

 half of the Board of Agriculture I desire to express again 

 our great gratification at this large and most intelligent 

 audience. The meetings have been larger and better and 

 more successful, I think, than any of the country meetings I 

 have ever attended ; and, while we feel thankful for our kind 

 reception here, we certainly ought to thank you, in behalf 

 of ourselves and our speakers, for the close attention which 

 you have paid to the papers ; and I believe you will be 

 rewarded for this in the present, and still more when you 

 receive the Secretary's Report. 



And now, in behalf of the Board, I bid you farewell, and 

 hope for a happy return to your homes. 



CATTLE COMMISSIONEKS' REPORT. 



To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth 

 of Massachusetts. 



During the past 3'ear, as in 1878 and 1879, the duties of 

 the Commissioners on Contagious Diseases among Cattle 

 have principally consisted in combating the disease known as 

 "glanders" in horses, and, it is believed, with some measui'e of 



