212 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



as the animals are dressed. This regidation wouhl have 

 to l)e further guarded by the imposition of a punishment for 

 all those who butchered animals without a license ; and for 

 any licensed butchers who were found slaughtering any kind 

 of animals at times other than those named in their license, 

 unless they had previously arranged with the inspector to be 

 l^resent. Such a law should also contain a clause allowing 

 any person to kill and dress one of his own animals at any 

 time that he chose to do so, after having arranged with the 

 inspector to be present. This clause should also be guarded 

 by a penalty. 



The Board has already a pretty clear knowledge of the 

 locations of many of these butchers, and attempts have re- 

 peatedly been made to prevent them from carrying on this 

 illicit trade ])y bringing the matter to the notice of the local 

 board of health ; unfortunately, however, these boards have 

 always appeared to be more anxious to save themselves from 

 any necessity of interfering with the man than they have to 

 prevent the inhabitants of the neiglihorinrj towns from eating 

 ment that may be unwholesome. The present law, although 

 its intent is plainly manifest, is, as a matter of fact, inoper- 

 ative because it neglects to provide practicable measures for 

 carrying out its evident intent. 



Brightox and Watertown". 



Very much help has been given the Commissioners by the 

 hearty way in which the city of Boston and the town of 

 Watertown have taken hold of the work in the large cattle 

 market at Brighton and at the Union stock yards. Here an 

 inspector is in attendance upon all of the market days, who 

 examines the animals that are oflered for sale, and quaran- 

 tines all that seem to him to show symptoms of consump- 

 tion or other contagious disease, under the law. This 

 prevents, very largely, the distribution of diseased animals 

 to farmers, dairymen and others who may wish to buy milch 

 cows there. But, unfortunately, the dealers in the sick and 

 worn-out cattle can readily find the means of selling their 

 peculiar wares to willing butchers, without having to bring 

 them to either one of these lar2:e markets. This trade is 



