The Portland daily press., 1884-03-24
TIE FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.


Saturday afternoon some fifteen or twenty
farmers resident In Deering, Falmouth, New
oloucester, Cumberland, Gorham and Var
mouth met at George Blanchard & Co.'S agri.
CULTURAL warehouse en- Middle street, and
lnere talked over the foot and mouth disease
~ an informal manner. There was consi,era.
Die fear evinced that the precautions taken
against the further spread of the disease had
NOV Deen SUFFICIENT, and that the Governor and
oouncii should take further steps in the mat
ter.
Governor Robe was present and stated that
ne should bring the matter to the attention ~
the Council on Tuesday next. The Governor
has prepared the following latter and for
warded it to Hon. 9. B. Loring, Commissioner
oil Agriculture, at Washington:
RI GoRHAM, Me-, MarchI22. 1894.
non: george b. Loriaq United Stofes Goaa.
missioner Of Agriculture, Washington, D.
You are aware that our State has been
visited by the contagious disease. commonln
known as foot and mouth disease which ~
ATTACKED several herds of cattle owned hv
farmers residing in the towns of Falmouth and
Deerlng. The disease was brought here hv
transporting through our roads, to quarantine
Eiounus, 1nIected cattle from an English
steamer. The number of cases has heen 70
whicn includes % Of the imported cattle The
gases nave generally been of a mild type, and
nave easily yielded to time and treat,nent 40
,nat there are none now but what are conya-
ioscent and trust by the most rigid enforce
snen0 u the most stringent regulations that
iurtner spread of the contagious disease will
Do prevented greater Calamity of the kind
could not visit US. Our State Board of Com.
mls.ioners appear to be doing their duty and ca.
Iprclng sanitary apd iigd regulations. There is
a widespread aud intense feeling among onr
farmers lest there should be some neglect or
LACK OF precaution in doing that which win
prevent the spread or return Of the disease. I
Iuiiy smpat1ike with them In their feeling.
ana ueslre TO exercise the greatest care regard
lsss OF expense or labor. | notice that the
senate has passed a resolve for an act appro-
prlatlng 300, 600 to be used for the prevention
OF the spreading of this cattle disease in the
States where it exists. This seems to me emf
nently just, and trust that Its faal passage
WIN Dc speedily pressed to final enact
for Congress TO do something for the farmers.
Ii am correct in what have stated desire
TO respectfully ask that a portion OF this apprl-
prlatlon De used at an early day under proper
direction in the State Of Maine, and now
early make this request in case the resolve
passes. A portion of these cattle are now
owned by, and are to be transported to, dis
taut States The United States has great
responsibility in this matter would also ask,
II practlca6le, that some person thoroughly COM
petent and skilled, possessing full knowledge
OF tue disease, and the manner and methods of
entireiy ersdicatiDg it, visit the infected
districts, and, representing the United States,
advise with our State authorities, as to what is
necessary to be done with the cattle, hay,
manure. and all those articles which NAV have
been infected by their proximity to this very
contagious disease.
make these requests by the urgent solicita,
lion OF many OF our most intelligent and pros
porous farmers, for they feel that great public
interests are involved. heartily join with
tnem. II have made an error In writing to
the wrong department, please inform me and
give me the necessary information that NAV
correct it. l rem Ia
Yours very respectfully
FREDERICK Robe.
1t may be well to say in this connection that
OF the last cases, three on Mr.. Smiths farm, are
convalescent, and that no new cases have been
reported for some time.
The Governor appears to be anxious to do
all in his power to stamp out the scourge