316 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Seventy-four stamps for branding carcasses of animals 

 killed and inspected for food have been furnished to 50 cities 

 and towns during the year ending Nov. 30, 1910. 



To carry on the work of the Bureau in all parts of the 

 State, the service of many agents, veterinarians and others, 

 is obviously necessary. In assuming this office I determined 

 to retain so far as possible the existing force of employees, 

 believing that their experience and their knowledge of the 

 territory in which they worked made them the best qualified 

 to carry on the work successfully. Many requests for ap- 

 pointments were filed with me, and also many criticisms of 

 existing methods and agents, but as my only purpose was to 

 raise the standard of the work performed by the Bureau to 

 the highest plane possible, I decided to judge the competency 

 of agents myself, after a fair trial, and to make changes 

 slowly, endeavoring always to retain those who proved most 

 worthy. I am not wholly satisfied with the manner in which 

 a considerable portion of the work is done, but we are, I be- 

 lieve, faced in the right direction, and time will see the prob- 

 lem worked out satisfactorily. In this small army of agents 

 there are many whose work is highly creditable and character- 

 ized by earnest, honest endeavor. The good work done by 

 this Bureau is largely due to the painstaking labor of these 

 men. 



As you are aware, I came into this position not as a pro- 

 fessional appointee but as a practical handler of cattle and a 

 dairyman. To the practical experience gained in many years 

 of active association with the above-named interests, I shall 

 add whatever may be gained (and I do not underestimate its 

 value) by frequent consultation with the best scientific and 

 veterinary authorities in the State and nation. I am pleased 

 to report to your honorable Board that I have been assured of 

 having at all times the professional advice of the best-known 

 experts in matters pertaining to the professional phase of the 

 animal industry. With such eminent professional assistance 

 at the command of the Chief of the Bureau, and an earnest 



