65o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
September 17 
TUBERCULOSIS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
Dr. Law, on page 491, in his answer to 
my former communication, says in effect, 
that my questions reflect injuriously on 
the value of tuberculin. He then goes 
on to say, “ The reaction which occurs 
under the first use of tuberculin, tends 
too often to aggravate the existing 
tuberculosis, and thus to hasten an un¬ 
toward result ”, 
I thank him for the admission ; it is 
almost a repetition of my strongest state¬ 
ment. He says further, “The use of 
tuberculin is morally forbidden, to a 
State or local authority, * * * unless 
such authority stands ready to destroy 
the animal which has been proved tuber¬ 
culous, and to reimburse the owner for 
the loss.” I say it is morally wrong to 
kill 100 cattle to find 3.61 per cent of 
generalized disease, (see Cattle Commis¬ 
sioners’ report), which cases should have 
been condemned by physical examina¬ 
tion—largely a slaughter of innocents, 
at large expense and because tuberculin 
was relied on to condemn or release. 
Tuberculin did it ! ! and I did not go 
too far when, in a late interview with 
the Governor, I charged that its use was 
a crime against the Commonwealth. 
The effort to belittle Dr. Smith’s valu¬ 
able experiments was unkind, and when 
Dr. Smith demonstrates that this cattle 
disease is no menace to the public health, 
he will, doubtless, say so, although his 
facts may not agree with Dr. Law's 
theories. Dr. Law says it is discourag¬ 
ing at this date to be asked to prove the 
infection of meat and milk, and quotes 
several supposed cases. Dr. Frothing- 
hatn says that not one well authenticated 
case is established. “ Prove all things,'’ 
fits this case nicely—the assumption that 
the public health was in danger has cost 
Massachusetts a large amount of money 
and more taxable cattle. 1 did not ad¬ 
mit that 25 per cent of Massachusetts 
cases were infectious; that was an in¬ 
ference. All such should be ruled out of 
court, when facts are called for. 
The following answer by Dr. Austin 
Peters, of the Massachusetts Cattle Com¬ 
mission, was made in the Massachusetts 
Ploughman : 
Cattle that are so slightly diseased with tuber¬ 
culosis as to require a very careful post-mortem 
examination to detect the lesions, will react to 
the tuberculin test quite as much as animals 
that are more clearly diseased. Cattle that are 
very extensively diseased occasionally do not re¬ 
act at all to the tuberculin test, but such crea¬ 
tures can be picked out on a physical examina¬ 
tion as a.rule, if a competent veterinarian makes 
the test. Occasionally a healthy cow may have 
a high temperature the day after testing, which 
may be mistaken for a reaction, and the cow 
found free from disease on post mortem. 
In Massachusetts for the past four years, it has 
been customary to use tuberculin as a diagnostic 
agent and to kill all cattle that reacted to it, 
either burying them or making fertilizer of their 
carcasses, if any trace of the disease was found. 
I do not think the fault lies with the present 
cattle commissioners, as the law they have been 
working under has been a wasteful and extrava¬ 
gant one, providing that diseased cattle must be 
killed and paid for by the State, and also that no 
diseased animal, no matter how slightly infected, 
could be used for food. 
The present legislature amended the law so 
that the cattle commissioners can issue rules 
and regulations for the local inspectors of 
animals and provisions, for the inspection of 
meat, to conform to the rules and regrilations for 
the inspection of meat of the United States 
Bureau of Animal Industry. That is, cattle with 
very slight localized tuberculous lesions are not 
to be considered unfit for beef. This will stop a 
portion of the waste. 
Furthermore, as a rule, I do not think that 
animals that react to tuberculin, but show no 
other evidence of disease, should necessarily be 
killed. I think where an owner has his herd 
tested that the reacting animals, if physically 
free from disease, might be milked until dry, and 
fed so as to be fit for the shambles when through 
milking. This system would allow a great deal 
of work to be done at a very small cost to the 
State. 
I am of the opinion that under the laws relat¬ 
ing to diseases of cattle which we have had to 
enforce, many cattle have been killed that 
did not endanger the public health, and which 
would much better have been left in possession 
of their owners. This is especially the case in 
many milkmen’s herds who have simply wished 
the State to take a farrow cow, nearly dry, at a 
slightly higher price than they could get else¬ 
where, and who have replaced such animals 
with others that may have been as bad as or worse 
than the ones that were taken. Or, if the dis¬ 
eased had been replaced by healthy ones, the 
new purchases would soon have been as badly 
diseased or worse than those taken by the State 
owing to the owner neglecting to disinfect the 
place properly where the condemned cows stood, 
or the new cows being contaminated by their 
stable companions. 
While a great deal of good has been done in 
some quarters, and many herds have been 
entirely freed from tuberculosis, yet I fear that 
the law has been extravagant, and that under 
different methods of work as much good could 
have been accomplished at far less expense. 
CHA8. E. PARKER. 
SOME ENSILAGE NOTES. 
PACKING TOO TIGHT. 
I have a stone silo 12x13 feet, 15 feet deep, 
round corners, which is nearly all below ground, 
but perfectly dry. This silo has been filled twice, 
and each time considerable ensilage has spoiled. 
Half a day after all that is spoiled is cleaned off, 
it begins to heat again, and after three days, as 
much as six inches is spoiled and has to be 
thrown away. The corn was in good condition 
when put in; dry (as to dew), the grain glazed, 
occasionally a dry husk, and a few dead blades, 
with about 150 bushels of ears per acre. Under 
the above conditions, could the ensilage be 
packed too tightly in the silo ? It was cut three- 
eighths of an inch long, and tramped as tightly as 
three men could do it, and afterwards weighted. 
Was it so tight that it excluded the air to such 
an extent that it did not heat properly, therefore 
heated when exposed in the Winter? The entire 
surface would spoil; notin spots. It took three 
days to fill. H. s. 
Glenville, Md. 
I have never seen a silo built so per¬ 
fectly that some of the ensilage would 
not spoil. It is very difficult to prevent 
the air from getting to the surface of the 
ensilage, no matter how well it is packed 
and covered. From the inquiry, it seems 
that the waste occurs cnly on the top. 
This must be expected, as that is Na¬ 
ture’s way of sealing the contents of the 
silo underneath. This covering of 
moldy ensilage on the top should not be 
removed until the ensilage is to be fed 
regularly to stock. When feeding com¬ 
mences, a layer must be removed from 
the entire surface each day. If this 
layer removed is not more than two 
inches deep, it will be sufficient to keep 
the surface from spoiling. If the amount 
of stock to be fed is not sufficient to use 
this amount each day, then with a sharp 
hay knife a section should be cut down 
through the middle. The vertical wall 
of ensilage which is left exposed will 
not spoil to any extent. There is no 
possibility of packing the ensilage too 
tightly ; unless there is need of hurry¬ 
ing the operation of filling the silo, the 
ensilage can be left to settle, and it will 
pack itself sufficiently. One or two men 
should be kept in the silo to distribute 
the ears of corn as they fall, and occa¬ 
sionally to pack around the silo walls. 
From the information which I am able 
to get from the inquiry, there is nothing 
the matter with the silo. H. S. simply 
does not feed enough from the top each 
day after he commences feeding. If I 
have not a correct understanding of the 
trouble, write again. l. a. Clinton. 
BUILDING THE NEW SILO. 
I have been contemplating building a 
silo, for the past two years, and at last, 
have undertaken the dreaded task. I 
concluded, after close observation and 
study, and the weak points in different 
styles and forms, to erect one of the 
octagon form. With less than $2 expense 
for tools, in the way of stone hammer, 
trowel, and spirit level, I commenced 
the work. The silo is situated on the 
north side of the basement barn, and ex¬ 
tends down to the level of the basement 
and directly in front of the row of pure¬ 
bred Jerseys. With the assistance of the 
boys, we have laid the wall, that being 
nine feet high. The dimensions are 16 
feet in diameter and 34 feet in height. I 
use 2x4 scantlings laid flat on the wall 
spiked one on top of the other till the 
desired height is reached. It is securely 
fastened to the barn, and I expect that 
it will stand the severest test. This 
takes 5,000 feet of hemlock scantlings. 
I shall side it with matched lumber, and 
paint. I expect this to be sufficient 
capacity to keep 25 cattle, and to keep 
up the flow of milk in Winter. The lat¬ 
ter is an important factor in making 
Winter butter that finds a ready market 
in the city of Auburn for 20 cents a 
pound. I raise the Learning corn plarted 
three feet apart each way. This ears 
nicely, and makes a very rich feed, to¬ 
gether with bran or barley sprouts. I 
have 14 acres with which I expect to fill 
the silo. I use an Ohio No. 13 ensilage 
cutter with the old sweep power and 
four horses. This is all done from start 
to finish with home talent and labor, 
without an hour’s labor of a mechanic. 
Wayne Co., N. Y. geo. h. westcott. 
A few years ago American dairymen began to 
be frightened at the creamery business done in 
Australia. Vast quantities of butter were to be 
sent from that colony to drive our dairymen out 
of the English market. The truth appears to be 
that Australia became the victim of an army of 
creamery sharks. Great numbers of creameries 
were erected by these gentlemen, and the govern¬ 
ment offered a bonus and put up cold-storage 
houses to encourage exports. Capitalists also 
put money into the enterprise. Three dry sea¬ 
sons in succession have about dried the dairy 
business up, and it is now said that South Aus¬ 
tralia hardly makes butter enough for home use. 
The American cow is not dead yet. 
GUERNSEYS. 
225 purebred Guernseys of the best American 
and Island breeding. Butter average, whole 
herd, 318 pounds per head. No catalogue. Come 
and make your own selection. 
ELLERSLIE STOCK FARM, 
KHINECLIFF, N. Y. 
AT FARMERS’ PRICES! 
Two Registered Jersey Bull Calves 
from superior dairy cows. 
R. F. SHANNON. 907 Liberty Street, Pittsburg, Pa 
C HENANGO VALLEY STOCK FARMS. Greene N„ 
Y.—Dutch Belted and Jersey Cattle; Dorset and 
ltambouillet Sheep; Poland-China, Jersey Red and 
Suffolk Pigs; White and Bronze Turkeys. Peafowls, 
and Blooded Chickens. Seed Wheat, $2; ltye, $1; best 
in the world; bags free. 
Jno. I. Gordon, Mercer, Pa., Asciis 
Hampshire Downs, SSSESSSEft: 
Polled Durhams, 
All stock registered or eligible. 
CUCCD South Downs. Oxfords, Shropshires. 
“ *■ Prize-winning stock; yearlings&lambs 
QI f'O Chesters, Polands. Berkshires, York- 
■ shires, all ages. Illustrated Catalogue 
free. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
H. L. HOLM ES, Harrisburg, Pa. 
HI l\/CD 5 Q Great LINCOLN SHEEP and 
ULi YCn O SWINE. CATALOGUE now ready 
Send to-day for one. K. P. Oliver. Flint, Mich. 
Spring Pigs from 100 Reg. 
Poland China, Berkshire and 
Chester Whites. Mated not 
akin. Choice bred sows, Serv- 
PSgj&n Ice Boars. Poultry. Write us 
for free circular and bottom 
prices. Hamilton & Co.. Cochranville. Chester Co.,Pa 
To all intents and purposes, you have the doctor’s 
advice, and his best prescription for Lung and Throat 
diseases in Jayne’s Expectorant. 
For constipation take Jayne's Painless Sanative 
Pills.—Adr. 
ON THE BIAS. 
That's the secret of the I>/A. Bias Girth Horse. 
Blankets. The girth is on the bias-^-that means 
crossed. It works automatically. The blanket 
can't slip. If you pull one side, the other side 
keeps the blanket from sliding, and yet it doesn't 
bind the horse. He couldn't displace it if he 
rolled in it. 
® Bias Girth 
Horse Blankets are made in all styles —to fit any 
horse—to suit any purse. Ask your dealer for 
5|V Bias Girth Blankets, and look for the traie 
mark. A book on the subject sent free. 
W M. AYRES A SONS, Philadelphia. 
l(fe 
and the lives of your wife and family 
by using tliut greut accident prevent¬ 
er and life preserver, the 
AUTOMATIC GRIP 
NEOK YOKE. 
Should the traces ortugs break, or the single-tree break, 
the tongue can’t drop and overturn theearriage or bug¬ 
gy. The “GRIP” grips it instantly and holds till all 
danger is past. EVERYBODY WANTS IT. MONEY IN IT. 
Plain unniekelea, $1; Nickeled Loops and Acorn Heads. 
*1.60; Nickeled Tips and Centers. *1.75; Nickeled Center 
and Tips w ithout Yoke, *1.25: Centers without Yoke, 65c. 
Made in three sizes, to lit pole tips 114 to 1%. Also farm 
wagon size to grip pole 2 1 /, to 11'i in size. Send for free 
circulars and special CONFIDENTIAL TERMS TO AGENTS. 
AUTOMATIC GRIP NECK YOKE CO. 
7S Harding Street, Indianapolis, Ind. 
’TIS FOLLY 
To lose the use of your Horse for a single day. If the 
Horse is SOUK, CHAFED or GALLED 
Moore Bros.’ Gall Powder 
Will effect a CURE IN HARNESS, or Money Re¬ 
funded. Price 50c. and $1 per Can by mail, postpaid. 
MOORE BROS., Veterinary Surgeons, Albany, N.Y 
Trade 
Mark 
LUMP JAW 
NOW CURABLE. 
Surely, quickly and for good. 
Fleming Bros., chemists, Un¬ 
ion Stock Yards, Chicago, 
have a remedy that quickly, 
cures the most ohstinato, 
cases. Supplied by mail under 
a positive guarantee. Price, 
<2.oo. Valuable information ' 
and full particulars FK EE. I 
PURE POLAND-OHINAS gnssr 'ZiffT. 
quicker t han ot hers; low priced enough to be in reach 
Of all. F. H. GATES & SONS, Chittenango. N. V. 
p* _ „ _ I _ — Selected Cheshire Boars, 
I Ul Ck I C ready tor service. $8. Write. 
LESTER M. LOVELESS, Baldwinsville, N. Y. 
wfiNT FINE PEKIN DUCKS 
of good size, fine bone and deep keel, qualities so 
much in demand by the best markets, we have them. 
Our prices are reasonable compared with their value 
as good breeders of vigorous stock. Write for what 
you want and get prices. R. S. McArthur, Chase, Md 
POULTRY 
5 We keep everything In the POULTRY LINE, * ► 
Fencing, Feed, Incubators, Live Stock, Brooders < ► 
w —anything—it’s our business. Call or let us O 
t send you our Illustrated catalogue—It’s free tot * ► 
♦ the asking—It’s worth having. i ► 
♦ Excelsior Wire and Poultry Supply Co., ♦ 
♦ 28 Vesey Street, New York City. ♦ 
$♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 
CALCITE FOR POULTRY. 
Bone Meal, Crushed Oyster Shells, Crushed Flint. 
Granulated Bone. Ground Beef Scraps. Send for Price 
List. YORK CHEMICAL WORKS, YORK. PA. 
DESTROY MITES 
with 
•I SPI9EIMCI 
is you htuirica 
LAMBERT’S DEATH TO LICE. 
SPECIAL sample, will kill a million, XOe. postpaid. 
Book on Poultry Krsplng EKEK with ewy order. 
D.J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apponaug, R. I. 
chloro-NAPTHOLEUM 
KNOCKED IT OUT 
Inthe First Round. 
Microbes are responsible fd 
lots of misery. They cause the 
HOC CHOLERA. 
CHICKEN ROUP, 
SHEEP SCAE and 
FOOT ROT. 
Cblorottaptboleum 
PUTS MICROBES TO SLEEP 
io they will never wake up. Will heal sores and bruises 
lulckly. We have direct branches in the principal cities 
it the U. S. from w hence goods aro shipped. We wid 
send you a sample gallon, freight prepaid. $1.50. 
Agency is worth having. Write for full particulars. 
Improved COW TIE 
Holds them firmly, draws 
them forward when lying 
down, pushes back when 
standing, gives freedom 
of head,keeps them clean 
E. C. NEWTON CO. 
Batavia. HI. Catalogue Free 
I Screw Worms 
and Ticks - . 
Are Instantly Killed when 
SLOAN’S LINIMENT 
is used. Also kills a Spavin, Curb or Splint. 
Cures a Cut, Kick or Bruise, and Foot Hot in 
Cattle and Sheep. 
Sloan’s Liniment is an invaluable remedy for man 
as well as beast. Taken internally, it cures Cramps 
and Colic. It is the. 
Best Antiseptic Known. 
Every bottle iswarranted. Sold by druggists and dealers 
generally. Family size, 25 c. Horse size, 50 c. and $ 1 . 00 . 
Prepared by DR, EARL S, SLOANi Boston, Mass, 
