REPORT ON QUARANTINE STATIONS. 
157 
These irregularities in the quarantine of cattle at Philadelphia 
and New York have been widely criticised by importers, who, be¬ 
ing without u influence,” were obliged to undergo all the vexation 
and expense of a quarantine, admitted by all to be little better 
than a farce. 
The plan by which the yards were built is decidedly objec¬ 
tionable, from the fact that cattle to reach the yards, or going 
from the yards, must pass through the same alleys, and be loaded 
or unloaded on cars from the same chutes. Another objection 
is that the buildings are on the line fence of the yards, instead of 
being placed in the middle of the enclosure. 
No attention is given by the quarantine authorities as to the 
removal of manure or disinfection of ships after cattle have been 
discharged from them. 
The importation of fine cattle from Europe has done much 
to improve our native herds and increase their value, but the ex¬ 
istence of contagious diseases in different parts of the Old World, 
and the ease with which they are transported in the avenues of 
commerce,* makes it an absolute necessity, if we would ensure our 
property in the stock industry, that the United States authorities 
shall prescribe the conditions under which foreign cattle may 
enter this country. And it is right that our government should 
take charge of all cattle coming from infected countries and hold 
them until, by lapse of time, it is proved that they do not harbor 
the germs of disease. Then safety should be ensured by the 
most restrictions on the movements of all employes connected 
with cattle in the yards, and the enforcement of sanitary meas¬ 
ures should be under the supervision of expert veterinarians. The 
aceotnmodations furnished by the government for the valuable 
importations entrusted to their care should be ample and above 
reproach. It is to be regretted that in the creation of these quar¬ 
antine stations, •“ parties,” instead of science, was the chief con¬ 
sideration, and that their continued mismanagement has forced 
importers to bring their cattle in by way of Canada. 
. I would respectfully suggest that the importation of cattle 
shall in the future only be allowed at two ports—New York and 
Boston; and that the entry of cattle at all other ports of the 
