668 QUEENSLAND, 1879.- REPORT OF STOCK INSPECTOR. 
contagious diseases out of consideration, I find that most of 
the others are chiefly due to defects in the quality of the 
food, and that in many cases much may be prevented by a 
judicious system of management. I believe a great deal of 
it may be avoided by the laying up of stock of hay for 
winter use, supplemented by mealies and other food accord¬ 
ing to the number of stock, the resources of the farmer, and 
the requirements of the animals to be provided for. It is to 
be regretted that the cultivation of mangel-wurzel and 
other root crops is not more general, as their value as food 
for cattle and sheep during the winter is very great. A 
better system of feeding and management generally would 
tend materially to improve the live stock of the colony, by 
giving them better proportions and greater stamina, and at 
the same time enable them to yield better returns for the 
food and care bestowed on them, as well as the capital in¬ 
vested. 
In connection with this subject I would suggest that the 
growth of clovers and other good grasses should be en¬ 
couraged. As it is, the system of grass-burning is calcu¬ 
lated to destroy the finest and best, and with the constant 
grazing without any adequate return in the way of manure, 
&c., in the place of the material taken from it, the veldt must 
become exhausted, as is the case in parts of the Cape Colony 
at the present time. 
Having directed attention to these matters in previous 
reports, it is perhaps unnecessary to say more at this time. 
Every one will acknowledge the importance of the subjects 
referred to, and I trust that with the advent of peace, more 
interest in, and greater care for, and attention to, our animals 
generally will result, which will prove to the best interests 
of the country at large. 
I have the honour to be, sir. 
Your obedient servant, 
S. Wiltshire, 
Colonial Veterinary Surgeon. 
Pietermaritzburg, June 30, 1879. 
QUEENSLAND, 1879.—REPORT OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR 
OF STOCK FOR THE YEAR 1S78. 
To the Honorable the Colonial Secretary . 
Sir, —I have the honour to report on the working of 
“ The Diseases in Sheep Act ” for the year 1878. 
