REPORT OF TILE 35URKA.U" OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 4C'J 



FREDERICK COUNTY. 



Tliis is one of the largest counties in the State, and next to Balti- 

 more County it has the largest population. The soil is perhaps better 

 adapted to stock raising than any other part of the State. 



For many years past much attention has been given to the feeding 

 of stock cattle. The farmers say this has of late become unprofita- 

 ble, and this year comparatively few beef cattle are to be found here. 

 Creameries are, however, springing up in all parts of the county. Ten 

 are already established, and as many more are likely to commence 

 operations during this year. Thus the stock in cows is rapidly in- 

 creasing, several hundred having been brought into the county 

 during the past year. It has taken considerable time to examine 

 these dairies carefully. The cows have been purchased in Virginia 

 and Pennsylvania and other counties of Maryland, and are mostly 

 of common stock. There are a few good herds of Shorthorns and 

 Jerseys. Moderately good care and attention are given to cattle. 



Careful investigation convinces me that there is now no pleuro- 

 pneumonia in this county. In one or more instances the disease ap- 

 peared here a few years ago, but it was immediately checked by 

 slaughter of all exposed stock, and it had no chance to spread. 



Tuberculosis is frequently found here as in other counties. One 

 herd of 6 cows, owned by John H. Haugh, near Barton ville, were all 

 badly affected with this disease. I learned from others, and from 

 Mr. H. also, that for ten years past he has frequently lost cows af- 

 fected similarly. Many other herds are more or less affected with 

 this disease. Such cows are kept generally through ignorance of the 

 danger. It would be well if owners could be shown the importance 

 of destroying all such diseased animals. I think quite evidently this 

 disease is on the increase here, and considerable of it has been brought 

 in from other States during the past year. 



Another infectious disease prevalent here is abortion. It is to be 

 found in many stables and in nearly every district. It has caused 

 extensive losses to the farmers. It is evidently on the increase, and 

 it is the subject of constant discussion among the dai^rmen. It is 

 here thought to be the most serious disease among cattle they have 

 to contend with. 



More thought and attention have been given to the breeding of 

 horses than cattle. Several fine breeding farms in different parts of 

 the county have on them some of the best stock in the county. On 

 these farms, and everywhere else, I found the horses free from dis- 

 ease. 



The swine plague has prevailed here for several years. For three 

 years past the losses have been very heavy. In some districts in the 

 southern part of the county few hogs are now raised because of dis- 

 ease. Everywhere in the southern part of the county the farmers 

 estimate the losses annually at 75 per cent., while in the northern 

 part it has been much less. It has been difficult for me to form a 

 correct estimate of the loss for the whole county, but no one has put 

 the loss below 50 per cent, for the whole county. Considering, how- 

 ever, the danger of over-estimating the loss by the farmers, I put it 

 at about 40 per cent. Taking the 12,106 voters at 3 hogs per voter, 

 we have 36,318 hogs, and at $5 per head we have for this county 

 $181,590, the value of the usual hog crop. Forty per cent, of this 

 would make $72,636, the amount of the annual loss for the last three 

 years. In this estimate I feel sure I am within bounds. 



