Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-04

Foot and Mouth Disease.

Foot and Mouth Disease
The following communication has been
received from the United States commits
sioner OF agriculture BY Governor Robie.
in answer to the letter from him to the
commissioner:
WAsHIxGrox, b. c. March 81, 1884
Dear Sir,-Yours of the 22d instant il re-
ceived. / have had from the collector at
Portland full account of the foot and mouth
disease brought into that part and distributed
throughout that region. confess am sur
prised that 90 great risk vas run. | agree
with you in your views Of the great RESPONSE
biIity Of the United States in this matter,
considering that these cattle are to be trans
ported TO q distant state.
With regard to the use Of the spproprla-
ton of $50, 900 passed by the Senate / would
say that the joint resolution 10 still pending
in the House, and, considering the present
state of affairs in Kansas and elsewhere, 1t 10
not likely to be called up for action at pres
ent am waiting nov for the fate OF the
House bill providing men and money for the
investigation of pleuro-pneumonia and other
contagious diseases throughout the entire
country. II that bill should pass should be
able TO send competent persons into your
State TO inv estigate the whole matter of foot
and mouth disease in and around Portland.
The bill to which refer is called "A Bill
for the Establishment of a Bureau of Animal
Industry" in the Department of Agriculture.
II provides an appropriation Of e25O.OOO and
force of 20 men for the purpose of investl-
eating and removing if possible the conta-
gious diseases tha. are scattered throughout
the country.
think the bill an important one, and If
the farmers in Maine are interested IN the
matter. perhaps il would be well for you to
CORE espond with the Senators from your State.
and urge its passage. / have been very care
full myself to exercise no Rudue influence
with regard to the passage Of the bill. oeing
UNIV illing at all times to press measures upon
Congress, which would seem to be of special
benefit to the Department over which l pre-
side have no knowledge therefore OF the
view. of your Senators in the matter; but
think il is important that you, who represent
the entire agricultural interest of your State
so well, should convey your ideas to them
with re gard TO the importance of the bill TO
your own farmers and your own cattle-rais-
ers and breeders. ! assure you shall be
very glad to do anything in my power to de-
velop an protect the agricultural interests OF
your State.
Very respectfully,
GEO. b. LoRISG,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
Hon. FRED'K RoBIE,
Executive Dept. Augusta, Me.
Governor Robie. and Councillors Locke,
Cornish and Bolster. with the cattle COM
missoners, Messrs. Bailey. Gilbert and
Ferguson, met Tuesday at the Falmouth
Hotel to take measures to COM
mence the disinfection of the State
quarantine buildings, in Deering and
Falmouth, and Wednesday they meet
with the selectmen of the two towns.
Active measure will at once be taken look
ing to release of the animals, whose terms
will all expire about May lst. Mr.. Sam
uel Bell was appointed to represent the
farmers of Deering and Falmouth, to see
that the orders of the Commissioners are
enforced, and will enter upon his duties
at once.
VERMONT SEEKING INFORMATION.
Governor Barstow of Vermont has ap-
pointed Hiram A. Cutting of Lunenburg
secretary of the Board of Agriculture, as
agent to look out for the interests OF
that State in regard to the 'foot and mouth
disease" of cattle. He has written to
Governor Robie for information in regard
to what has been done in Maine for; the
disease. and gives information THAT ouI
farmers are greatly alarmed" Govern
or Robie has replied to him. THAT there
| is now no existence of the disease except
what may linger among convalescent cat
tie. and the infected quarantine premises
and such precautions and regulations are
beng enforced as will doubtless prevent
any new cases. The disease appears tc
be effectually stamped out.