No. 4.] CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 483 



Dr. Parker, Secretary Massachusetts Cattle Commission. 



Dear Sir : — These animals were imported from Belgium about 

 six months ago. They were kept in quarantine for three months, 

 Garfield, N. J., and brought here on a permit from your office last 

 September (1896). They were at once put in quarantine by 

 Inspector Flint of Lenox, and have been so kept ever since. 



In regard to Nos. 635, 76 and 71, I would say that I consider 

 them free from tuberculosis. Nos. 76 and 71 gave slight reactions, 

 but, from the fact that they showed no constitutional symptoms, 

 and from the fact that No. 414 and the bull gave such decided 

 reactions, I should think that the slight reaction was due to the 

 peculiar conditions under which they have been kept, and perhaps 

 also due to their breeding. In addition to these, one of them 

 aborted comparatively recently, and the other is heavy in calf. 



The owner of these animals purchased and brought them to this 

 country at very great expense, and, apart from that, is most 

 anxious to establish a herd of this breed. Consequently, I am 

 commissioned to write to you and try if we cannot arrange to deal 

 with them somewhat differently than with ordinary cases. Know- 

 ing that with proper care it is quite possible to breed sound stock 

 by this bull and from the diseased cow, we would like it if you 

 would allow this cow and bull to remain permanently in quarantine 

 or until further orders, and not to slaughter them. Mr. Sloane is 

 willing to give every assurance and guarantee that they will not be 

 sold, or moved from the farm, or killed for beef, or brought into 

 contact with other animals, except of course in the case of the bull 

 being allowed to copulate with the cows. 



I would say that Mr. Sloane fully appreciates the dangers of 

 tuberculosis, and is fully in sympathy with all that is being done 

 to eradicate it. Two years ago he cleaned up his herd of blooded 

 Jerseys at great pecuniary loss, and would not now do anything 

 that would in the least endanger the health of his herd ; and any 

 special features of quarantine which you might suggest or wish in 

 regard to these animals would be rigidly carried out. But, if this 

 is more than you as a State official can grant, would not the fact 

 that they have been brought such a long journey and have been 

 kept under such varied and trying conditions justify you in keep- 

 ing them indefinitely in quarantine for retest? 



Hoping that this may meet with the favorable consideration of 

 your Board, I remain. 



Truly yours, Geo. N. Kinnell. 



P.S. Of course Mr. Sloane would agree to waive all claims for 

 quarantine expenses, and would sterilize or destroy the products 

 from the diseased cow, as you might direct. G. N, K. 



