Abortion in Cows. 
4:75 
January 28th in a sheltered spot (Farm 17), but that was excep- 
tional. I have not discovered any of this year's growth up to 
this date, August 16th. I think it probable there will be a 
scarcity of this fungus this season, as it requires heat and 
moisture to enable it to develop its spores ; and here, at least, 
we had very little of the latter, whilst the main crop of grasses 
were in flower. 
So great was the deficiency of moisture, that many grasses 
withered whilst in full flower, and failed to develop seeds. 
Again quoting from the article of December, which requires 
modifying as before, " Here we have a fungoid growth capable 
of producing this affection. This growth is invariably found 
(in my experience) in all pastures where cows have recently 
aborted whilst out at grass, and as no other agent known is 
capable of producing this malady, I think we are justified in 
assuming that ergot is the chief cause of abortion in cattle when 
abortions occur in such numbers as to exclude injuries, and 
other incidental causes of this disease." 
In the December article I ventured to predict that, the hay 
being gathered some three weeks earlier than usual — in 1885 — 
we should not have, in this district, such severe outbreaks of 
this affection during the winter months as we previously have 
had. On two farms only (3 and 27) have we had anything 
serious. On each, the surplus grass of a pasture was mown and 
made into hay after the ordinary haymaking was over. In the 
case of Farm 3, it was mixed with other hay, which I examined 
on two occasions, but was unable to find an undeniable ergot, 
though I found several dark-coloured, suspicious-looking spikes. 
That of Farm 27, I had no opportunity of examining, as all 
the hay on the farm had been consumed at the time of my 
visit. 
That hay in some instances contains something capable of 
causing abortion, may be inferred from the malady suddenly 
ceasing when the supply from certain stacks has been with- 
drawn. 
Farms 1 and 2 are good examples. 
During the past winter I have examined numerous stacks of 
hay made last year, with the object of discovering ergot, but 
without success. Some writers allege that it cannot be present 
in hay, as it would be knocked out by the many shakings which 
grass undergoes whilst being converted into hay. In February 
1 came across the remains of a stack made late in 1882 ; on 
examination, I found a few undoubted examples of ergot, in the 
sclerotium stage, adhering to the spikelets of rye-grass. This 
hay was mown on the 10th and 11th of August, 1882. Wet 
weather set in, and the hay went through many shakings, as it 
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