S96 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



ally inquiring into any other outbreaks of disease reported 

 to it, thought to be of a contagious character. 



In dealing with tuberculosis among cattle, the commission 

 feels that, in taking animals that can be condemned upon a 

 physical examination or that have tuberculous udders, it is 

 protecting the public health and giving the State a good sys- 

 tem of inspection of dairy herds, but that it is little more 

 than holding its own against the disease, and not diminish- 

 ing it as rapidly as could be desired. Many farmers would 

 like to have their herds freed from disease, but in most in- 

 stances it has been necessary to refuse for lack of funds, and 

 when it has been done, the conditions imposed seem to have 

 been too onerous for many farmers to bear. 



It does not seem unwise, therefore, to suggest the ad- 

 visability of a special appropriation, in addition to that 

 absolutely necessary for administering the law, to be used 

 for testing the herds of cattle of owners who request it, 

 paying for animals found to be diseased, such owners being 

 willing to comply with the requirements of the Cattle Com- 

 mission in disinfecting their premises and keeping their 

 herds healthy after once rendering them so. If an appro- 

 priation of $25,000 could be placed at the disposal of the 

 Cattle Commission for this purpose, it is believed that in 

 some localities very material advances could be made toward 

 further diminishing the amount of bovine tuberculosis in 

 this Commonwealth. 



An inspector of animals has been appointed in every city 

 and town in the State during the past year, nearly all of the 

 appointments being approved by the Board. In two or three 

 instances appointments were made of persons who were not 

 thought by the commission to be suitable for the position ; 

 in these cases it declined to approve them, as provided for 

 in the law, and requested that inspectors be appointed who 

 were properly qualified for these offices. The selectmen of 

 one town declined to make an appointment after the commis- 

 sion refused to confirm its appointee ; the Board accordingly 

 appointed an inspector of animals for them, as provided for 

 under section 18 of chapter 408, Acts of 1899. In one of 

 the cities the Cattle Commission appointed an inspector of 



