No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 471 



The amount of stock received at the quarantine stations 

 is larger than in 1900, not only in regard to cattle, but also 

 sheep, swine and veal. 



Of the nearly 20,000 cattle released on certificates, and 

 after being tested at the stations, nearly all were milch 

 cows for the local markets. In 189G, there were 501 cattle 

 tested at the stations, of which number 18, or 3% per cent., 

 were condemned as tuberculous. In 1900, 633 were tested, 

 of which number a little over 1 per cent, reacted. During 

 the past year (1901) 4,090 were tested and 21 reacted, — 

 about 1/2 of 1 per cent. 



Since March 1, 1901, all cattle tested at the stations have 

 been tagged, and a record kept of their test and tag num- 

 bers. Also, a copy has been sent to the Bureau of Animal 

 Industry, Washington, in return for which it has furnished 

 all the tuberculin used, thereby saving the State several 

 hundred dollars. This work has been done without extra 

 cost, being done by the commissioner in charge and his 

 assistants. 



By comparing the number of cattle tested the past year 

 with those of previous years, it seems as if the time will 

 soon come when all cattle brought to these markets will be 

 tested after arrival, as this branch of the work is constantly 

 on the increase. The figures given show a constant increase 

 in the number tested, and also a constant decrease in the 

 per cent, of tuberculous animals ; which decrease is thought, 

 as was said in the last annual report, to be largely due to 

 the care exercised by the drovers in buying cattle for these 

 markets, also to the good work done in the past few years 

 by the Cattle Commission of Vermont. 



Report of Cattle brought into State during the Year, to 

 Points Outside the Quarantine Stations at Brighton. 



During the year 1901, 614 permits were issued to bring 

 animals into Massachusetts, 38 of which were not used. On 

 the balance, the following cattle were brought in : — 



For dairy and breeding purposes, tested before shipment, . . 3,786 

 For dairy and breeding purposes, tested after shipment, . . 1,7(31 

 Calves under six months old. requiring no test, .... 58 



