284 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ernment has caused the inspection, before shipping, of all 

 cattle sent abroad. One of our number has acted in this 

 capacity for the port of Boston, under appointment of the 

 treasury department ; and it is believed to have been so effi- 

 ciently done, that none have been sent from here in a 

 diseased condition, or have been found infected with any 

 disease on reaching their destination, except such as was 

 contracted by foul air and hardships on shipboard. In the 

 three departments of this business — production at the West, 

 transportation facilities from there to Boston, and foreign 

 shipment — many citizens of our State have a large pecun- 

 iary interest. The number of animals exported from Boston 

 during the year ending Jan. 1, 1880, was 114,720 ; the value, 

 $4,117,969. Of this number 35,555 were cattle having a 

 value of $3,412,697. 



But valuable as this trade is, or as it may become, there is 

 imminent danger, that, from the causes named, it may be 

 seriously interfered with, or broken up. The great work of 

 our State in dealing with this cattle-plague in 1860, 1861, 

 1862, and 1863, proves beyond a cavil, that by properly di- 

 rected effort, commensurate with the importance of the case, 

 it may be entirely eradicated, " stamped out." But, unfor- 

 tunately, though there h a common national interest in this 

 matter, and all are imperilled nearly alike, State lines, State 

 laws, and State rights (which pleuro-pneumonia does not 

 regard) prevent direct action for its eradication by the Gen- 

 eral Government and the authorities of the States now free 

 from the disease. Yet something may be done by both in 

 the way of influence, and perhaps of compulsion, to arouse 

 the States more immediately interested to the vital impor- 

 tance of the matter, and to decisive action. 



The General Government can interdict or regulate the 

 commerce in cattle to or from all infected States or districts, 

 and thus confine it to its present locality ; and other States, 

 by memorials addressed to the governments of the States 

 contaminated, may induce them to take measures for its 

 eradication. The Commission would respectfully suggest 

 that it may be the duty of the Legislature, as a measure of 

 self-defence and public safety, to thus memorialize Congress 

 and the different State governments. 



The action of the Commissioners, under the statutes of 



