No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 441 



Total Stock received at the Three /Stations. 



It will be seen by this report that there have not been as 

 many cattle released on certificates of tuberculin test as last 

 year. In 1898, 19,386 head were released on certificates, a 

 large number of which were young store cattle, while this 

 year there have been but a few of this class. There have 

 been more milch cows than in any previous year, and the 

 demand for these animals is constantly on the increase. 



During the past year the Boston & Albany Railroad Com- 

 pany has built a large barn at the Brighton stock yards, 

 which will accommodate 586 cattle, and are now preparing 

 to enlarge it to a capacity of 1,000. The barn accommoda- 

 tions are a great benefit to the stock, as they are all under 

 cover and tied up by themselves. 



It is the desire of the Board that this market may be one 

 where buyers may feel when purchasing milch cows that 

 they are reasonably sure of obtaining animals that are 

 healthy and free from tuberculosis. Last year letters were 

 sent to many of the veterinarians who were testing cattle 

 for this market, and from some of the answers received 

 and information derived from other sources it was felt that 

 the work of testing cattle might not be properly done ; there- 

 fore, after the Legislature had made the necessary appropri- 

 ation, an agent was employed to investigate this work and 

 to ascertain how it was being conducted. Upon receiving 

 his report the commission held and tested at various times 

 317 cattle belonging to difierent drovers, and found 5 of 

 them tuberculous. 



In regard to the admission of cattle from without the 

 State, it is the opinion of this Board that the quarantine 

 stations should be maintained with rules and regulations still 



