The Boards of Agriculture 41 



The inspectors of this Board visit districts where 

 swine fever, sheep scab, etc. are prevalent, and report 

 as to the best means of stamping out such diseases. 

 The inspectors also attend at our ports and see that 

 foreign animals are free from disease before they are 

 landed. The Board is also responsible for orders for 

 muzzling dogs to prevent rabies, and for the destruction 

 of animals where necessary. 



The Board of Agriculture has been doing excellent 

 work by its publication of leaflets specially suited for 

 farmers. It inspects colleges and other institutions 

 that deal with agricultural research, and gives grants 

 to aid such work. Many of our counties have one or 

 more centres where agricultural education is provided 

 and where the best instruction is given on all that 

 relates to the land and its cultivation. Here the 

 students are informed about the choice of seeds, the 

 use of fertilisers, and the destruction of insects and 

 weeds. The best types of implements and machines 

 used on the land, are described, and the latest particulars 

 are conveyed as to the breeding and feeding of live 

 stock, and about dairying. 



The Board of Agriculture gives information relating 

 to railway facilities and rates, so that farmers may get 

 their crops to market quickly and cheaply, and also 

 particulars of markets at home and abroad. Forestry 

 is another subject that comes within the province of the 

 Board, and, in recent years, a good deal has been done in 

 other directions, especially with regard to the fisheries 

 around our coasts. The Board is also responsible for 

 the upkeep of Kew Gardens and has control of the 

 Ordnance Survey which is charged with the mapping 

 of our country. 



