228 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



defective for dealing with it, as section 28 of chapter 90 of 

 the Revised Laws enumerates what diseases are to be consid- 

 ered as contagious within the meaning of this act. The law 

 relating to contagious animal diseases should be so broadened 

 as to give the Chief of the Cattle Bureau authority to cope 

 with any disease of an apparently communicable character, 

 whether or not it has ever appeared in this country before. 



Attention has been called, in previous reports, to this defect 

 in the law; but the Legislature has not as yet seen fit to 

 remedy the deficiency. 



Annual Inspection or Neat Cattle, Farm Animals, and 

 Premises upon which the Former are kept. 

 Late in September the following circular letter was sent 

 to the inspectors of animals in the cities and towns of the 

 State, together with the necessary books in which to record 

 the results of their work, and blank forms of certificates of 

 health to be given owners in conformance with section 18, 

 chapter 90 of the Revised Laws : — 



Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 



Cattle Bureau of the State Board of Agriculture, 



Room 138, State House, Boston, Sept. 20, 1907. 



Directions to Inspectors op Animals. 



Inspectors of animals are hereby directed to make a general in- 

 spection of the neat stock in their respective towns, and incidentally 

 other farm animals, to commence October 1 and to be completed 

 before the fifteenth day of November, as required by chapter 90 of 

 the Revised Laws. 



Wherever inspectors examine animals and find them free from 

 contagious disease they will give owners certificates of health, as 

 provided for in section 18 of the law, from the book of blanks 

 (Form No. 2) furnished for that purpose. Books will also be pro- 

 vided (Form No. 1) for carrying out the provisions of sections 17 

 and 24 of chapter 90 of the Revised Laws. 



Inspectors will not say on any report, " Same as last year," but 

 will make a fall and complete report on every place inspected, in- 

 cluding all dimensions and measurements provided for on the blank, 

 and answer in full all the questions as to the light, ventilation, sani- 

 tary surroundings and water supply, as well as the number of cattle 

 kept in each stable, and give complete list of other animals in places 

 l>n>\ i<lcd for in book. 



Inspectors of animals are not to quarantine any cattle as tuber- 



