334 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



live stock interests of the country from contagious animal 

 diseases ; hence it is unlikely that this malady will ever 

 secure a foothold here, owing to the stringent quarantine 

 regulations imposed by the federal government. Cattle, 

 sheep, other ruminants and swine can be brought into the 

 United States only at points designated by the Department 

 of Agriculture, the ports of entry on the Atlantic seaboard 

 being only at Boston, New York and Baltimore, near which 

 places quarantine stations have been established. All neat 

 cattle are held at these stations for ninety days, and all 

 sheep and swine for fifteen days, after landing. The reason 

 for holding cattle longer is to guard against contagious 

 pleuro-pneumonia ; the period for which the sheep and 

 swine are held is sufficient to guard against all danger from 

 foot and mouth disease. Neat cattle also have to be found 

 free from tuberculosis, as determined by the tuberculin 

 test, before being allowed to go beyond the quarantine 

 station limits. Separate gates and lanes are provided for 

 entrance and exit ; if, therefore, any contagious disease 

 should make its appearance, there would be no danger of 

 healthy animals becoming infected by being driven over 

 roads where sick animals had previously been. 



Importers of animals from England and Europe must also 

 obtain permits from the Department of .Vgriculture, and, 

 furthermore, must have affidavits that animals come from 

 localities free from contagious diseases, and do not pass 

 through infected districts in transit. The collector of the 

 port of entry is notified when the animals arrive, and im- 

 mediately turns them over to the care of the agent of the 

 Bureau of Animal Industry having charge of the (juarantine 

 station. 



In countries where foot and mouth disease has prevailed 

 as an epizootic, the losses occasioned by it have been very 

 great to the farmer from a pecuniary stand-point, not that 

 the mortality is very large, as only from one to three per 

 cent of the infected animals die, but owing to the emaciation 

 due to the fever, and the inability to walk about and eat. 

 This loss is especially heavy when cattle or sheep are being 

 fed for the shambles. Animals nearly ready for the butcher 



