No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. 431 



in«- the month of March, or just before the animals are turned 

 out to pasture, and the second one to be made in October, or 

 as soon thereafter as the animals come in from pasture. 



The returns coming from the inspectors under this order 

 were so few and unsatisfactory that the commission felt that 

 if a longer time were given a better result might be reached, 

 and that, at any rate, if the required examination should be 

 limited to one in each year, the expense to the cities and towns 

 would be considerably reduced, while the results obtained 

 would not be any less valuable ; and accordingly, on March 

 25, 1895, the following general order was issued : — 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Board of Cattle Commissioners, 

 Secretary's Office, 52 Village Street, Boston, March 25, 1895. 



To Lisjjectoj's of Animals and Provisions. 



Gentlemen : — You may possibly remember that when the regular 

 examinations of herds of neat stock were first begun, under the 

 direction of this Board, four such inspections were ordered to be 

 made in each year. 



Experience with this order very soon developed the fact that it 

 would be impossible for the inspectors to properly and thoroughly 

 make so many examinations within the given time ; and an order 

 dated September, 1893, was passed by this Board, directing that 

 " hereafter inspectors be ordered to make two thorough examinations 

 of cattle in each year." 



This same order was, in substance, repeated by the enlarged com- 

 mission, who, in a circular letter communicated to all of the inspect- 

 ors on July 19, 1894, issued an order directing that " hereafter 

 inspectors be ordered to make two thorough examinations of cattle 

 in each year : one during October, or as soon thereafter as animals 

 come in from pasture ; the other during March, or just before the 

 animals are turned to pasture. Reports of the results of these exam- 

 inations, upon the proper blanks, must reach this office on or before 

 the fifteenth day of December and the fifteenth day of May in each 

 year. That inspectors be also ordered and advised to make inspec- 

 tions of any herds or of any animals within their district whenever any 

 emergency arises, or whenever in their judgment, because of numerous 

 changes or otherwise, it is better for the service for them to do so." 



It is under this order that the work has been done during the past 

 winter and up to this time. 



Now, the further experience has developed the fact that two com- 

 plete inspections cannot be accomplished by the inspectors through- 



