542 
JOHN M. PARKER. 
herds are only tested where the owner is not only willing', but 
anxious to keep np the work, and of course under these circnin- 
stances there is a much better prospect of the work resulting in 
peiinanent improvement. 
But many times even when there is not only enthusiasm but 
unlimited capital behind the endeavor to rid a herd of disease, 
even then it is not always an easy matter. 
About eighteen months or two years ago, a number of herds 
in Massachusetts were tested with tuberculin, under promise 
from the owners to observe certain conditions. Among those 
tested was one belonging to Mr. H., consisting of 8i animals. 
This herd was carefully tested, and the figures submitted to the 
Board, and 28 animals considered certainly diseased by the 
Board were condemned and destroyed, and a number were held 
for retest. The animals held for retest were kept in a separate 
pasture, and were not allowed to mingle with the rest of the 
herd. Of these, 13 animals were retested, condemned by the 
Board and killed, the others passed as sound. Before these cattle 
were allowed to join the herd, an attempt was made to disinfect 
the barn as thoroughly as possible. 
In October, 1896, sixteen months after the first test, the farm 
was again visited, and one lot of 50 head, kept in the new barn, 
were tested. These consisted of 29 of the original lot; of the 
other ^8 were Vermont cattle, and all had been tested carefully 
>' j ng ^shipped, especial pains being taken to secure only 
c-i .ufi - y auima;.s. Three others, not tested, were introduced into 
thetherd on or about September 30, and at that time Mr. H. 
notified the Board, and it was expected that the entire herd 
would be retested immediately. However, because of the diffi¬ 
culty in securing sufficient tuberculin, a delay of a few weeks 
occurred, and it was not until October that two members of the 
Board visited the herd and tested the lot. Of the 50 animals 
tested, 27 reacted, were condemned and killed, 25 of which 
proved to be tuberculous upon post-mortem examination. 
About two months later the remaining 28 animals in the old 
barn, which had been kept entirely separate, were tested and 16 
