500 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 



duty, find do it witli devotion ; and, above all, we depend upon the 

 zeal of the local authorities, and their sense of the grave responsibility 

 which weighs upon them." Then Mr. Barron says that they had 

 fresh outbreaks from markets in spite of all their inspections, but 

 they were stamped out ; and in this work the authorities had active 

 and zealous agents in their veterinary corps. Then the disease broke 

 out among sheei?, of which they lost 112. But the courage of the 

 Minister saved the country. Professors Gamgee and Simonds, Mr. 

 Barron says, were derided at first ; but the teaching of events is 

 irresistible. As far as our own experience is concerned, we must 

 remember that it is as narrow as history is boundless. The experience 

 of nations and of ages has recorded facts for our guidance ; and the 

 knowledge of the future depends upon oiu- knowledge of the jiast. 

 Take all that has been said on this siibject together, and in connection 

 with the present state of Britain, and say, is there any early prospect 

 of a cessation of this grievous visitation ? 



We now come to the subject of sheep, which there is a great and 

 natural desire to purchase just now. Disinfecting the fleece will not 

 disinfect the live sheep. Professor Seifman's experience in the centre 

 of Europe is, that in contact sheep do not invariably take the disease ; 

 but that they are most clearly liable to it, and that 20 per cent, 

 usually recover. It is important to observe that a writer in 1747 

 says that the disease is propagated in the wool of sheep. I believe 

 there is now a decided opinion, arrived at tardily, that sheep are 

 liable to infection, and that there have been cases all over England 

 and Scotland. It is curious to observe, however, that the two great 

 authorities in Edinburgh — the Cattle Plague Committee and the 

 Farmers' Club — are divided on the subject ; and in the House of 

 Commons an oj^inion was expressed in favoiu' of it one night, and 

 an opinion against it on another night. 



Dr. Crisp : What is the medical opinion ? 



Amongst medical men, however, there is, I believe, no difference of 

 opinion, and Professor Simonds has assured me that he has no doubt 

 whatever that sheep are liable to the plague. This is a very im- 

 portant matter indeed, because the transit of sheei? must immediately 

 be considered, and the present is the lambing season, and changes of 

 tenancy are going on, when farms have to be re-stocked. 



The Practical Working of the Cattle Diseases Act. 



That is the second question in to-day's discussion. The proverb 

 welcomes it — " Better late than never." It may be convenient, jierhaps, 

 to take the various points suggested by the Act in their natural order, 

 and afterwards consider the effects of the Act as shown by the Govern- 

 ment returns; premising, however, these considerations. The Act 

 must be supplemented by further imperial and local measures. At 

 the same time it must be borne in mind that the cord must not 

 be stretched too tightly : stretch it too tightly and it will break. 

 And here I would say a word or two respecting Mr. Hunt and his 

 bill. That measure is not now before Parliament, so that it is not 

 a lion in my path ; but I may be allowed to exj)ress my regret that 



