20 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



place the system upon a more accurate basis, if we could secure a State 

 statistical law such as is in force in some other states requiring the as- 

 sessors to furnish official information each year to the Board of Ag- 

 riculture. The great advantage to the State from a law of this kind 

 would come not only because of the attention it would attract to our 

 resources from the outside world, but in a few years the report would 

 furnish valuable data upon which to base scientific investigations. 



Another law that would be of inestimable value to the live stock 

 interests of the State is a breeders license or inspection law. Some 

 of the foreign countries have their standards for improved live stock 

 established by such laws. It would take some years to put a law of this 

 kind into full operation, but it could be brought about gradually without 

 injury to any individual and would be of great advantage to the State. 

 At first it might be necessary to offer the services of the veterinary de- 

 partment of the Board of Agriculture for the purpose of examining the 

 pure-bred animals as to their soundness, similar to what is now being 

 done by the State Veterinarian with cattle in regard to tuberculosis. 

 This inspection should eventually be extended to and including the 

 breeding and individual conformation of the animal, and in time only 

 such male animals as receive the State's approval should be licensed 

 for breeding purposes. With such a law put into force in this State, 

 during the next few years Missouri could easily surpass the world 

 in the quality of live stock, and it would be worth millions to our far- 

 mers each year. 



Office Assistance Needed. — The work of this office has so in- 

 creased that it is now impossible to take care of the work in an efficient 

 manner without additional help. This matter was fully discussed by the 

 Executive Committee at their meeting held in this office October 3, and 

 the following resolution was adopted : 



Resolved, That it is the sense of this committee that the work of 

 the Secretary's office has increased during the past few years to such 

 an extent as to require help of a character that is able to assume some 

 of the responsibilities of the office. It is, therefore, recommended to 

 the full Board that if it is possible within the limit of the funds of 

 the Board that such assistance be provided. 



Legislative Approval. — We are flattered to believe by the many 

 commendatory letters received from the farmers of the State that we 

 are accomplishing some good by our work through this office. We 

 are also pleased to note the fact that our work is appreciated to a greater 

 degree than ever before by the Sta-te Legislature. Last year, at your 

 annual meeting, you recommended the same appropriations that were 

 made for tlie previous biennial period. Without any solicitation 



