RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS MADE DURING THE 



YEAR 1883-84. 



Hon. Geo. B. Lortng, 



Commissioner of Agriculture : 



Sir : In my last report brief mention was made of the Veterinary Ex- 

 perimental Station established b^' your direction near this city. Since 

 then many additions have been made to this Station, and it is now 

 thonght a more detailed description will i>rove of interest to those en- 

 gaged in investigations as to tiie canse, transmission, and i)revention of 

 infectious and contagious diseases incident to domestic animals both in 

 this and in other countries. 



The Station is located on the Benning's Bridge road, about one-fourth 

 of a mile east of the northeastern boundary of the city. The plat of 

 ground on which it is lobated consists of 7 acres of rolling land, which 

 is subdivided by new fencing into three pasture fields. The largest 

 inclosure contains 4 acres, the second 2 acres, and the third 1 acre. 

 There are seven outbuildings for tlie accommodation of cattle and the 

 protection of the necessary implements for keeping the place in proper 

 condition. Two wooden and two brick structures are used for the ac- 

 commodation of cattle alone. The interior of the stables are fitted up 

 with box stalls located on each side of a 4-foot passage-way extending 

 the entire length of the buildings. The average measurement of each 

 stall is 8 by 10 feet. One stable contains eight stalls,^a second five, and 

 a third four. When necessary, two steers or cows can occupy each stall 

 with comfort. Ample feed-rooms are attached to eacli stable. 



The fourth building is a wooden structure 25 feet wide by 31 feet in 

 length, with interior free of compartments. This building is used for 

 the protection from inclement weather of the cattle, which are allowed 

 to graze on the largest pasture field, and has been left open on the sojith 

 side. 



Four rows of pigpens are located at different points on the premises. 

 One of these pens is GO feet in length by 10 feet in width, and is subdi- 

 vided into ten compartments. Two others are 30 feet in length, and 

 contain five pens each. The fourth is divided into four pens. Ten or 

 twelve pigs can be accommodated with comfort in eacli pen. They are 

 supplied with cast-iron water-troughs, and the floors of each, as well as 

 those of the stables, are laid in concrete, which prevents the absorption 

 of water and facilitates disinfection. 



