286 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The more ignorant farmers said that they would not have the 

 test applied, because they thought it injured the health of the ani- 

 mals ; another refused to sell subject to the test, because the pur- 

 chaser would get the clean animals, and the seller the. tuberculous 

 ones, — not thinking it would be any advantage to him to find out 

 which of his animals were diseased ; and others were willing to sell 

 subject to the test, but at such a large advance in price that we 

 thought it cheaper to buy cattle untested, and test them ourselves. 

 This we have done, and now have a herd in the disinfected barns 

 that is free from disease. 



From most of the answers received, therefore, it appears 

 that the majority of owners are satisfied to buy cattle that 

 appear to be healthy, from a physical stand-point, without 

 any special reference to whether they will pass a tuberculin 

 test or not. 



From what has been said above it is not intended to give 

 the idea that cleanliness, sunlight and ventilation are to be 

 forgotten, as these are of the utmost importance in assisting 

 to maintain the health of the herd. 



Foot and Mouth Disease. 



The outbreak of foot and mouth disease, which caused so 

 much trouble and excitement a year ago, has been entirely 

 eradicated ; all restrictions upon the movement of cattle, 

 sheep, other ruminants and swine in the New England States 

 have been removed, and shipments from the port of Boston 

 resumed. The conditions now existing are exactly as they 

 were prior to the appearance of this disease. 



At the time of the last semiannual report to the Board 

 of Agriculture, last June, it was stated that the foot and 

 mouth disease seemed to be practically extirpated, and soon 

 after, July 15, the following order was approved by the 

 Governor and Council, stating that the disease was believed 

 to be eradicated, and all restrictions imposed upon the mov- 

 ino- of animals and merchandise within the limits of this 

 Commonwealth were removed ; and orders relatino: thereto 

 were revoked : — 



