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slaughter of entire herds. In relation to the lung plague this slaughter is un- 
necessary if competent authorities are appointed to superintend the slaughter, or 
complete isolation of absolutely sick cattle and the inoculation of the remainder. 
I was once opposed to the practice of inoculation, but the experience of sey- 
eral years, especially since the meeting of the first International Veterinary 
Congress, in 1863, has convinced me that the practice is most beneficial. 
Space forbids my entering into many details on this occasion, but it may be 
accepted as proved that whereas it would be inadvisable to introduce a whole- 
sale system of inoculation among healthy herds, it is wise, economical, and ade- 
quate to the prevention of the disease to introduce the practice in all stables 
and on all farms where the lung plague appears. It fails only when the vattle 
have all become simultaneously infected and no time is allowed for the inocu- 
lation to take effect. 
The isolation of infected herds, whether inoculated or not, should last for at 
least two months after the last case of sickness. 
The method of practicing inoculation is extremely simple. A portion of a 
diseased lung, if possible in the early stage of the disease, is taken warm and 
sliced so as to drain the lymph into a convenient vessel. A small syringe with 
a sharp-pointed steel tube is filled, and a drop or two of the lymph is injected 
into the skin of the tail, which is punctured about an inch from the end. The 
rude old plan of inserting a piece of lung into an incision at the top of the tail 
succeeds, but is more likely to prove ineffectual or dangerous than the simple 
and ready method I have described. 
It may be desirable to collect the lymph and prepare it for distribution. 
This can be done, in my opinion, by evaporating the liquid from the lungs in 
shallow porcelain vessels at a low temperature and with the aid of the air-pump. 
CEREALS FOR ANALYSIS. 
The Department having resolved upon making a series of chemical analyses 
having for its object the determination of the chemical values of cereals (wheat, 
‘corn, oats, and rye) grown in this country under the varying conditions of lati- 
tude, altitude, and general climate, has issued to the various State societies of 
agriculture the subjoined circular, in the hope that a more extensive collection 
may be obtained in that way. Replies and samples are being received from 
some sections of the country, and the circular is here inserted in order to give 
it more publicity, so that the Department may obtain specimens of cereals of 
fair average from every State in the Union: 
DEPARTMENT oF AGRICULTURE, 
Washington, December 20, 1868. 
Sir: In view of the great extent of our agricultural territory and its conse- 
quent variety of soil and climate, and of the fact that the United States has 
become one of the greatest grain producers for European and other markets, it 
appears necessary that an extended examination of the breadstuffs grown in 
the several regions of our country noted for producing corn and grain of prime 
quality should be made, in order to determine accurately the chemical composi- 
tion and food value of American crops. The chemical examinations of food 
materials grown in the United States hitherto made have been of a few samples 
and from a limited area of growth. 
It is now desirable to ascertain what differences climate, elevation, latitude, 
and meteorological conditions have in determining the food value of certain 
cereals, and the relative variations of nutritious principles contained, as produced 
