434 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



It will be seen from the above list that many of the in- 

 spectors are veterinarians, especially in the cities and larger 

 towns. This is very desirable where the services of such 

 men can be obtained, as they have a technical training in the 

 diseases of animals that especially fits them for the positions, 

 provided they are citizens of good standing in the com- 

 munity and take an interest in the duties devolving upon 

 them ; at the same time, an honest, painstaking inspector 

 who is not a veterinarian is to be preferred to a veterinarian 

 who is careless and slovenly in doing his work, and who 

 lacks interest and integrity of purpose. In many of the 

 smaller communities it is not possible to secure the services 

 of a veterinary surgeon as inspector ; in such instances any 

 conscientious cattle man makes a good inspector. Physi- 

 cians, when interested in sanitary work, also make good 

 inspectors. In a few places there is a tendency to allow 

 politics to play a part in the appointment of inspectors, but 

 in the great majority of the towns and cities of the Com- 

 monwealth there seems to be an intention to endeavor to 

 secure the services of the best available men for these posi- 

 tions. 



The section of the present law requiring cities and towns 

 to appoint inspectors of animals provides that they shall be 

 appointed subject to the approval of the Board of Cattle 

 Commissioners. This gives the Board the power to refuse 

 to confirm unfit appointments, and thus removes them to a 

 certain extent from the influence of local politics, and ren- 



