SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
5^5 
the head of the table was a large horse resting on a base, along 
which in colored flowers amid the white ones were the letters 
U. S. V. M. A. With our President doing the honors of toast¬ 
master in a veiy happy vein, at the head, at his right were 
seated Hon. Jeremiah Rusk, Secretary of Agriculture ; Dr. 
C. B. Michener, Assistant Chief of Bureau of Animal Industry ; 
Mr. Geo. W. Hill, Chief of Editing and Publication Division ; 
while on his left were Drs. F. E. Parsons and Jno. W. Gadsden 
and Congressman Warner. Scattered around the wings in 
happy groups were the members and delegates of the Asso¬ 
ciation. . The repast, a very enjoyable one, from oysters to 
quail, with relishes to render more palatable, was further en- 
henced by the sparkling fluids that brought forth in the suc¬ 
ceeding hour the bright humor and wit so rare that will long 
mark this a memorable occasion in the memories of those who 
indulged in its joyous pleasures. 
To the veterinary profession, and so strongly applicable to 
many of our Association, came the highest encomiums of 
praise for the work done for our nation, uttered by Assist¬ 
ant Chief Michener and Dr. J. E. Parsons of the staff. Our 
country freed from contagious pleuro pneumonia and our 
beef products entering the marts of the world, through the 
work of the veterinarian, told a long and gladsome story for 
our whole country. 
The kind words of Secretary Rusk for us, with that win¬ 
ning welcome, so warm-heartedly bestowed, that bid us to his 
den, there to enjoy the hospitality that bade us place our feet 
upon his table and swap stories to our hearts’ delight, made 
the halls ring with joyful laughter and applause, as he thus 
spoke of the immeasurable benefit we had rendered agricul¬ 
ture in all its ramifying sources. Looking upon us as & of so 
much greater importance than our sister science of human 
medicine, he urged a greater care and more extensive prelimi¬ 
nary education, that would not consider its course complete 
until our colleges taught our pupils how much slop to give a 
pig, how many rutabagas to feed a cow, how to groom a horse 
and feed him, and how to harness him, as well as to know which 
end of the saddle to place toward the head. 
