32i BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The law re(|uir('ti that a report of the hispectors of animals 

 be incorporated in the annual report of the Cattle Commis- 

 sioners, and it seems that the intent of the laAV is that this 

 statement of the condition of the live stock of the State 

 shall be embodied in the report of the Chief of the Cattle 

 Bureau at the close of each year. Owing to the appear- 

 ance of foot and mouth disease so near the end of the 3'ear, 

 it has been impossible to compile the reports of the inspect- 

 ors of animals. Ali that can be said is, that the usual annual 

 insjjection was ordered October 1, to be completed by No- 

 vember 15. Returns from the inspectors of animals have 

 been received from all the cities and towns in the State ex- 

 cept the following twenty-three : Arlington, Athol, Beverly, 

 Dedham, Hamilton, Hampden, Hardwick, Leominster, Lit- 

 tleton, Maiden, Majaiard, Mount Washington, New Brain- 

 tree, North Andover, North Reading, Petersham, Quincy, 

 Revere, Southbridge, Stoughton, Swampscott, Waltham and 

 Weston. These returns shoAV that up to the middle of No- 

 vember, at which time foot and mouth disease was first called 

 to the attention of the Cattle Bureau, the condition of the 

 live stock of the State was very satisfactory, and the animals 

 were looking well. There seems to be a tendency among 

 many farmers to improve the sanitary surroundings of their 

 stock from year to year, and to pay more attention to their 

 management and care. 



Tuberculosis. 



As it is the chief item of expense, tuberculosis will be 

 mentioned first. As usual, it may be divided under three 

 heads. 



Fii'st. — Animals quarantined by the local inspectors as 

 havinii: tuberculosis, or as havincf been brouc:ht into Massa- 

 chusetts from outside the State, and held in quarantine until 

 satisfactory evidence of a tuberculin test was presented to 

 the Chief of the Cattle Bureau. 



The following is a statement of the work done under the 

 first section : — 



During the year ending Dec. 15, 1902, there have 

 been quarantined in 245 different cities and towns of the 



