454 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



During the past year, however, the Board was granted the 

 appropriation much earlier, and in consequence of this they 

 were enabled to change the time of inspection from fall to 

 spring. As a result of this change they were able to make 

 a more thorough inspection at a time when such animals as 

 were affected would be apt to show the effects of their win- 

 ter's confinement, and when it was also possible to find them 

 all on the owner's premises. Consequently, on March 9 the 

 following letter was sent to each inspector, instructing him 

 to make an immediate general inspection of the animals 

 within the limits of his district : — 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Board of Cattle Commissioners, 

 Commonwealth Building, Boston, March 9, 1897. 



Dear Sir: — Section 4, chapter 491 of the Acts of 1894, as 

 amended by section 1, chapter 496 of the Acts of 1895, provides 

 that " inspectors shall make regular and thoi'ough inspections of 

 all neat cattle, sheep and swine found within the limits of their 

 several cities and towns. Such inspection shall be made at such 

 times and in such manner as the Board of Cattle Commissioners 

 shall from time to time determine and direct." This section also 

 provides that " inspectors shall immediately inspect all domestic 

 animals, and any barn, stable or premises where such animals are 

 kept, whenever directed to do so by the Board of Cattle Commis- 

 sioners." 



Believing that a complete general inspection made at this time 

 would be more satisfactory than one made in the fall, when many 

 animals might be still in pasture, and in accordance with the above 

 authority conferred on us, the Board of Cattle Commissioners 

 hereby order an immediate inspection of all neat cattle, sheep and 

 swine, and all barns, stables and premises where such animals are 

 kept in their several districts. Such inspection is to begin at this 

 date and to be carried on with all possible despatch until finished, 

 or until the first day of May, 1897, when such inspection is hereby 

 ordered closed. The returns of this inspection will be made on 

 the blank form provided, and such returns must be sent to this 

 office each week until completed. 



It is further recommended that inspectors ascertain the where- 

 abouts of a number of cattle which they think should be quaran- 

 tined, and then serve a number of quarantine orders on one day, 

 so as to send us several quarantines at one time, rather than one 



