EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT 



SECRETARY 



BOARD OP AGRICULTURE 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Common- 

 ivealth of Massachusetts. 



At the close of my last Annual Report, I alluded to the fact 

 that an alarming disease among cattle had broken out in certain 

 sections of this Commonwealth, which threatened to affect most 

 seriously the prosperity of our agriculture. That disease had 

 been introduced into this country in importations of cattle from 

 the continent of Europe, where it had been shown to be con- 

 tagious and fatal in the highest degree. More than one govern- 

 ment had, by neglect on its first appearance, suffered it to get 

 beyond control, and the loss of millions of dollars was the con- 

 sequence. It was, therefore, an evil of sufficient magnitude 

 to command the prompt action of the legislature, to eradicate 

 it entirely from our own stock, or at all events to prevent it, if 

 possible, from becoming a national calamity. 



After very great delays incident to legislation, during which 

 the disease was rapidly gaining ground, a commission was estab- 

 lished for the purpose of exterminating it, and an appropriation 

 of ten thousand dollars placed at the control of the commission- 

 ers by an Act signed by the governor on the fourth of April. 

 So rapid had been its progress, however, and so numerous had 

 1* 



