14 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, 



assistants. This should be provided for independent of the regular 

 appropriation for the Department; and the simplest and best way is 

 to amend the pending hill, by jjlacing the United States Department 

 of Agriculture on an equal footing with the several States as to ap- 

 propriations and general objects, but especially charging it with the 

 duties indicated as belonging to the central station. 



Experimental agriculture, upon a scientific basis, has already been 

 so well begun in America, these efforts and their results have been 

 so favorably received, and the facilities for an extension of the work 

 are so good, if only the necessary funds can be obtained, that there 

 is every reason for expecting immediate and lasting results from the 

 early passage by Congress of the proposed law. The result would be a 

 great impetus to experimental inquiry, and, in the words of another, 

 "by providing the means for more and extended investigations, agri- 

 culture will be materially advanced, the condition of the farmer im- 

 proved, and the agricultural calling accorded in public estimation some 

 measure of that dignity and importance to which, as one of the chief 

 elements in national wealth and greatness, it is fairly entitled." It is 

 hoped the importance of this subject and the merits of the proposed 

 legislation will commend themselves to the support of Congress. 



THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



The most important work of this bureau has been the investigation 

 and control of the contagious diseases of animals. Our vast areas of 

 productive pasture lands, our enormous crops of grain, and our salu- 

 brious climate have led to a most remarkable development of the 

 flocks and herds of the country. With this increase in the number 

 of animals, their constant importation, and free movement between 

 all parts of the country contagious diseases have been introduced 

 and disseminated to an alarming extent. 



Most important at this time is the contagious pleuro-pneumonia of 

 cattle, which, introduced into our Atlantic seaboard States nearly 

 half a century ago, has until recently been kept away from the great 

 central markets of the country. A.bout three years ago the contagion 

 of this disease was carried to Ohio, from Ohio to Illinois, and from 

 Illinois to Kentucky and Missouri. After a continued application of 

 all the authority granted under the national and State laws the plague 

 was extirpated from Ohio, Missouri, and Kentucky, and it was thought 

 to be also eradicated from Illinois. Unfortunately it was again found 

 to be in existence in and around Chicago in September last. A thor- 

 ough investigation has shown that the contagion has been dissemi- 

 nated among the cattle in the distillery stables and among those run- 

 ning at large on the streets and commons of the city and suburbs. 

 Many animals have been exposed. The exact number is not known, 

 but it is certainly very large, and, what is equally serious, the uu- 

 fenced lands about the city have been infected. 



