LIVE-STOCK INTERESTS OF MARYLAND. 



Hon. NORMAN J. COLMAN, 



Commissioner of Agriculture : 



SIR : My investigations into the condition of the live-stock inter- 

 ests of Maryland not having been completed at the close of my report 

 for the year 1886, I have since visited the remaining counties indi- 

 cated in your instructions, and herewith inclose you the results of my 

 investigations. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



There are many dairy cattle kept in this county, particularly along 

 the railroad and near the line of the District of Columbia. In other 

 sections many stock cattle are fed for beef. 



After careful inspection I have been unable to find a single case of 

 pleuro-pneumonia in this county. I found several places where they 

 have had the disease within the past few years. I failed to find, how- 

 ever, on these farms any chronic cases of the plague. I was sur- 

 prised at this condition ot things, and I can not account for it except 

 on the theory that the contagion has died out here. It is possible it 

 is only in a dormant condition and that in the near future we may 

 have it revived both here and in Prince George's County. 



Though no pleuro-pneumonia was discovered I found many cases 

 of tuberculosis. Mr. John Stone, Potomac post-office, sent for me, 

 thinking he had pleuro-pneumonia in his herd. I found 12 head of 

 cattle, 4 of which were coughing. After examination I pronounced 

 the disease tuberculosis. One of the animals had been purchased 

 some months ago in Virginia. Mr. Stone noticed her coughing as 

 he brought her home. Three others have since commenced c6ugh- 

 ing. At my suggestion Mr. Stone killed the Virginia cow and I 

 made a post-mortem examination. I found extensive tuberculous 

 deposits in both lungs. Mr. Stone was convinced as to the disease 

 and has since killed the other 3 affected animals. I made another 

 post-mortem on the farm of Charles C. Lenning, near Cabin John 

 post-office. This cow was imported from North Germany, August 

 19, 1885, with 5 other cows and a bull. Three cows and the bull died 

 some time in 1886, evidently from some lung trouble. Mr. R. L. 

 Saunders, manager, killed this cow at my request. I found both 

 lungs filled with tubercles and abscesses. Another animal of the 

 same importation evidently has the disease, though not so far ad- 

 vanced. The remaining cow had been sold and I did not see her. I 

 am satisfied there are other cattle on this farm that have contracted 

 the disease from this imported herd. 



I heard there was sickness on the farm of James Tschiffilley, 

 Darnestown. I found that he had already reported to Dr. Salmon 

 and that Dr. Rose had investigated the case the day befone my visit. 

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