10 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In order to devise some plan of action which might be worthy 

 of general adoption by different States, a national convention 

 was called at Springfield, 111., and the various States were invited 

 to send delegates to meet at that place in December last. Dr. 



E. P. Thayer, of West Newton, was accordingly commissioned 

 to attend on the part of Massachusetts by His Excellency Gov- 

 ernor Bullock. 



The following report sets forth fully the objects and results of 

 the convention : — 



To His Excellency A. H. Bullock, Governor of the Common- 

 wealth of 3Iassachusetts. 



In accordance with the appointment as Commissioner to at- 

 tend a convention to be held in Springfield, 111., for the purpose 

 of devising a uniform system of measures to prevent the intro- 

 duction and spread of contagious diseases among cattle, &c., 

 and also to make a report to the Executive of the proceedings 

 of said convention, I have the honor to submit the following : — 



In the convention, twelve States and the Province of Ontario 

 were represented by thirty-six commissioners. 



The convention was organized by the choice of Hon. Lewis 



F. Allen as president, with thirteen vice-presidents, and four 

 secretaries. Three stenographic reporters were appointed to 

 take notes of the proceedings of the convention. 



Dr. Morris of New York, Mr. Emory and Dr. Ranch of 

 Chicago, Mr. McCoy of Alibone, Kan., and Messrs. Bennett, 

 Clark and Kalb, the representatives of the St. Louis Agricultural 

 and Mechanical Association, were admitted as honorary members. 



His Excellency Governor Oglesby was invited to take a seat 

 in the convention. 



Voted, That the convention be known as "The American 

 Convention of Cattle Commissioners." 



Hon. J. S. Gould was invited to state the objects of the con- 

 vention. He responded at considerable length, also describing 

 the symptoms and post mortem appearances of the disease as 

 it existed in New York the past season. 



A committee was appointed, one from each State, to draft a 

 series of resolutions in relation to a law for the consideration of 

 the legislatures of the several States. 



Several gentlemen were called upon to state their experience 



