18G0. 



XEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



289 



SPRING KAIN. 



The lark sits high on the walnut tree, 



And it rains, it rains, it rains ; 

 A jolly philosopher sure is he. 



While it rains, it rains, it rains ; 

 Blithely he looks at the meaflow below, 

 Where the nest will bo when the grass-blades grow, 

 And pour out his song in a liquid flow, 



While it rains, it rains, it rains. 



The crocuses put up their little heads, 



While it rains, it rains, it rains ; 

 And the pink spires spring from their chilly beds, 



While it rains, it rains, it rains ; . 

 The peach blossoms whisper within their cells, 

 "We will open our eyes and peep from our bells, 



While it rains, it rains, it rains." 



All natnre seems happy as happy can be, 



While it rains, it rains, it rains ; 

 But restless mortals, like you and me, 



While it rains, it rains, it rains. 

 Look out of the windows in discontent, 

 And wonder why showers tu-day are sent. 

 Our plans and pleasures to so prevent — 



Why it rains, it rains, it rains ! 



The lark knows well that God knows best 

 The need of the spring-time rains — 



That the summer sunshine will warm his nest. 

 After the spring-time rains ; 



The grass in the meadow more greenly grow. 



And the corn-blades wave in the valley below, 

 After these spring-time rains. 



Let us, like him, look cheerily on. 



While it rains, it rains, it rains; 

 Waiting with faith till the storm is gone. 



While it rains, it rains, it rains ; 

 We know that above the cloud 'tis bright. 

 And the heavens are shining in beauty bright. 



While it rains, it rains, it rains. Ohio Farmer. 



THE CATTLE DISEASE. 



North Broolsfield, May 9, 1860. 



Gentlemen : — In obedience to a call from the 

 State Board of Agriculture, I turned out this 

 morning at three o'clock, and in company with 

 Dr. Joseph Reynolds, as a delegate from the 

 Middlesex County Society, came to this place to 

 examine some of the sick cattle, both dead and 

 alive, and to inquire into the present condition of 

 matters in regard to the disease, and the efforts 

 already made, as well as those in contemplation, 

 to stay its further progress. 



In order to meet the six o'clock train from Bos- 

 ton, at Framingham, we came across the country 

 fifteen miles by horse power, and in season to get 

 breakfast before the train came along. Arriving 

 at East Brookfield, we took stage, six miles, to 

 North Brookfield, over one of the finest roads I 

 ever saw. At the latter place I found gentlemen 

 from various sections of the State, ready to pro- 

 ceed to an examination, and we were conducted 

 about three miles, to the farm of Mr. B. W. Dean, 

 whose herd consisted of twenty-eight head, every 

 animal of which was pronounced to be infected. 

 Two weeks ago, this herd was examined by the 

 Commissioners, and by skilful medical men who 



had given special attention to the symptoms and 

 character of the disease, and it was then thought 

 to be free from it. 



After inquiring of Mr. Commissioner Walkeb 

 what the leading indications of the disease were, 

 I examined the herd, and felt quite confident that 

 I could select every case where it had made some 

 progress by the appeai-ance of the eye alone, 

 without reference to percussion, or rapidity of 

 breathing. 



I found Dr. Dadd, of Boston, acting with the 

 Commissioners, aided by Dr. Tyler, of North 

 Brookfield. A cow was driven from the barn, led 

 alongside a deep pit, dispatched, and examined. 

 One lung was found enlarged to double its healthy 

 size, and both had the plainest evidence of dis- 

 ease. A heifer, and then an ox were killed and 

 examined, and in each, the evidence of deeply- 

 seated disease was unmistakable. The Commis- 

 sioners and visitors then proceeded to other herds 

 that had been condemned, to witness their de- 

 struction, and to exhibit the disease in its more 

 advanced stages. But further details on this point 

 are unnecessary. 



It is hardly possible that the calves sold by Mr. 

 Chenery could have gone into hands better cal- 

 culated to spread the disease indefinitely than 

 into those of Mr. Stoddard, as he not only deals 

 in cattle largely, but has teams continually on the 

 road. In removing a building, twenty-three yoke 

 of oxen were used, one yoke of which was dis- 

 eased, and infected every other ox in the string, 

 and those communicated it to thirteen other herds. 

 While teaming on the road, a pan- of Mr. Stod- 

 dard's oxen were put up two or three times in the 

 barn of Mr. A. B. Woodis, and his whole herd 

 has been swept away. A Mr. Gilbert had a heifer 

 of Mr. Stoddard, last September, which has quite 

 recently proved a decided case. 



The disease presents some singular aspects. In 

 one animal the lungs are greatly enlarged ; in 

 another assuming the appearance of liver, or high- 

 ly discolored, or hardened so as to be nearly sol- 

 id. In one, a tumor was found weighing more than 

 twenty pounds ! In some instances the Commis- 

 sioners have allowed persons to keep their oxen 

 a week or two, in order to help them out with their 

 spring work. Some of these cattle gained appe- 

 tite and flesh, but upon opening them, presented 

 tumors on the lungs as large as cocoa-nuts ! Up 

 to this time 574 animals have been condemned, 

 and about 400 killed. All trading in cattle has 

 ceased — on many farms no herds graze on the hills, 

 or low in the stalls, and the farmers stand aghast 

 at the spectacle and the prospect. Their farm 

 work is behind, because they have not yet had 

 time to provide themselves with horses ; the ma- 

 nure heaps are not accumulating to stimulate fu- 

 ture crops ; the dairy room will be desolate, and 



