MONTHLY EEPOET. 



Dbpart^iknt of Agriculture, March, 1866. 



The increasing fatality of the cattle plague in Great Britain, and tlie failure 

 of all remedies to cure it, and of local measures to arrest its spreading, has at 

 length forced Parliament to enact laws similar to those of the western German 

 nations, which establish the complete isolation of infected places ; the destruction 

 and deep burial of all infected cattle ; and the complete disinfecture of all things 

 and places where the disease may exhibit itself. The government of Great 

 Britain, in addition, proposes to restrict the moving of cattle — virtually to stop 

 the cattle trade, a measure that has become a necessity there. 



The United States consul at Hamburg has notified the Secretary of State of 

 his refusal to allow the importation of a lot of hides to this country, which he 

 had reason to believe came from places where this disease prevails. The importa- 

 tion of queensware or crockery may bring it here by the infection of the straw 

 used in packing it in the crates. In many ways, therefore, the liability of its 

 •introduction here is great, and this department has brought the matter to the 

 consideration of Congress, in order that an act may be passed providing for a 

 cordon around every case that might arise through importation in the United 

 States. 



Should Congress pass such an act, every citizen should be zealous in the 

 enforcement of its provisions, for few greater calamities could befall our people 

 than the existence of the cattle plague in the United States. The only possible 

 way to prevent its spreading, should it come, is by the enforcement of the law ■ 

 no matter what inconvenience may be occasioned to individuals. 



The existence of a sickness often fatal in Germany, produced by eating pork, 

 affected with a disease known as trichinis, has led to fears in this country, lest 

 pork here might occasion a like disease. This department has given its attention 

 to a case of it reported as originating in Detroit, and the present number contains 

 information relating to it, as well as the causes producing the trichinis, together 

 with a suggestion as to a probable preventive — one which, from its good effects in 

 other respects, commends itself to every farmer raising hogs. I am clearly of the 

 opinion that there is no more danger of this disease now than there has been in 

 any previous years. 



This number of the monthly report shows the amount of farm stock stated in 

 tenths, and their prices, in February last, as compared with the amount and prices 

 of January, 1865. It will be seen that the prices of stock, except sheep, have 

 rather advanced than receded, because of their scarcity and the demand for them 



