158 
Facts and Observations. 
Yew Poisoning of Cattle. — The following memo¬ 
randum, in reference to poisoning of cattle by yew which 
has been unusually prevalent this season, has been issued by 
order of the Irish government :— 
Veterinary Department of the Privy Council 
OflQce, Dublin Castle. 
In consequence of numerous cases of sudden deaths of 
cattle—some alleged to be the result of malicious poisoning 
—having been reported to the Veterinary Department of the 
Privy Council office, and it being found on investigation that 
the animals had been accidentally poisoned by eating the 
leaves and branches of yew trees, hedges of which have been 
cut earlier this year than usual, and cattle, in consequence 
of the mildness of the season, being left out at pasture longer 
than in ordinary winters, it is deemed desirable to suggest 
that precautions be taken to prevent live stock having access 
to grounds or places in which there may be leaves, branches, 
or clippings of yew hedges or trees, which although fatally 
poisonous, are much relished by cattle during the winter and 
early spring months. By order, 
(Signed) Hugh Ferguson, H.M.V.S. 
January 26, 1869. 
The Government and Agricultural Questions.— 
It has been pointed out by the Central Chamber of Agricul¬ 
ture (says the Chamber of Agriculture Journal) that, at present, 
w^e have no staff of officers in any Government department 
selected for their competence to deal with agricultural ques¬ 
tions other than statistics. It has also been suggested that 
legislation on the following subjects would naturally ema¬ 
nate from or be referred to a department for agriculture, 
namely. Sanitary regulation of the importation of animals 
and of the home trade and traffic in animals; national in¬ 
surance of live stock; the national food supply; tenure of 
land; arterial drainage; water storage and irrigation; utili¬ 
sation of town sewage ; supply of artificial manures; public 
roads; regulation of markets ; weights and measures; statis¬ 
tical returns; regulation of agricultural labour and education ; 
veterinary education; agricultural colleges; experimental 
stations ; poor relief; local taxation, and county expenditure; 
enclosures, tithes, and copyholds. Indeed, a long list of 
subjects might be adduced, which would provide ample 
work for the supervision of a professionally-informed de¬ 
partment. 
