540 
JOHN M. PARKER. 
at first, yet after a time he loses interest, and finally through 
want of enthusiasm and want of encouragement he is apt to be¬ 
come negligent and introduce cows into his herd that have not 
been tested, and this carelessness and indifference of course is 
liable at any time to undo any good that had already been done. 
Realizing something of this and feeling that many of the 
farmers, who had their herds tested by private test, did not rec¬ 
ognize their responsibility in the matter, a letter was sent to 
each individual calling his attention to the law allowing him 
compensation “ not exceeding the sum of $ 6 o ” for animals 
killed as tuberculous, provided, such person shall not have, prior 
thereto, in the judgment of the cattle commissioners, by wilfiil 
act or 7ieglect^ contributed to the spread of tuberculosis; but 
such decision on the part of the commissioners shall not deprive 
the owner of the right of arbitration as hereinafter provided. 
The letter then continued : “ If an owner does not thoroughly 
disinfect and cleanse his barn, or if after having had cattle taken 
and paid for by the State, he introduces untested animals into 
his herd, he has through his neglect contributed to the spread 
of tuberculosis, and, therefore, under this section, forfeits his 
right to compensation for such tuberculous animals as may here¬ 
after be found in his herd.” 
After having had their attention called to the matter, one 
would naturally suppose that farmers who had gone to the ex¬ 
pense of having a private test made, costing them anywhere 
from $io to $ioo and over, would take interest enough in the 
matter to cleanse their barns, especially after being warned of 
the penalty of neglect, but on investigation it was found to be 
the exception rather than the rule when any cleansing even of 
f 
the simplest nature was done. 
The Board then decided to send around a special agent whose 
duty it would be to call on each individual who had had his 
herd tested, see whether the barn had been attended to and re¬ 
port to the Board. This was done and this work has been spe¬ 
cially productive of much good. Up to the end of August 530 
barns, where private tests had been made, had been visited ; out 
