Huntsville gazette., 1891-09-26

But Secretary RuSk ls' not satisfied.
He says the new inspection law has al
ready increased the price of American
cattle SIS to $40 head.
SIT was done in this way" he said.
Formerly the cattle were loaded in
discriminatory, and were poorly cared
for on the trip. In consequence the
cargoes were often landed in crippled
and unhealthy condition. The half
starved animals were subjected to the
ten days quarantine, which had the ef-
feet of further reducing them in weight,
and the price was consequently run
down. The Canadian cattle had the
advantage, not so much in the
loading and shipping, but in their
freedom and detention on the other
side. AS it is now thorough in
spection has reduced the possibility of
disease to the minimum. The cattle
are not only examined carefully, but in
the loading of them the greatest care is
taken that no injury be done to them.
The feeding of the animals on the trip
across the ocean is regulated by law,
and the result is we can place our cat
tie on British wharves practically un-
blemished.
'What steps are being taken to in
duce Great Britain to do away with her
quarantine and allow cattlemen to
hold or sell as they desire?"
There are no particular steps being
taken, said the secretary. when we
can show that pleuro-pneumonia and
other contagious diseases are absolute
ly prevented by our system of inspec-
ton, then we will be in position to ask
the British government to give our cat
tie free entrance.
'How soon do you expect to make
such showing?"
1--WE could do so now, as under the
new law there is no contagion carried
on board the cattle ships. But we want
to wait a few months, when we can
prove absolutely that our system is per-
feet. The British are just lit
tie backward in accepting our
statements. Since the new regu-
lations have been put in force it
was claimed that some pleuro-pneu-
monia had found its way to Liverpool.
We have three expert veterinarians sta
toned across the water to inspect the
American cargoes when they arrive.
These inspectors denied that there was
any pleuro-pneumonia. The British
inspectors held that there was. The
matter was referred to the Royal Agri-
cultural society, and that eminent body
decided that there was no contagion,
thus sustaining the verdict of the Amer
lean inspectors. | do not know whether
the quarantine will be lifted or not, but
we intend, through Minister Lincoln at
the court of St James, to make the re-
quest"
"What advantages have resulted from
the new regulation?"
advantages" replied the secretary.
that every American cattle dealer will
appreciate. The shipper, when he loads
a nice fat steer, can now count on re-
ceiving from SlS to S19 more for him
than he did under the old system. The
care taken in loading the cattle and
the proper inspection of their feeding
have reduced the death rate per cargo
from 16 per cent. to l per cent, and it
has lessened the cost of insurance
from SO to 50 per head. There, you see,
is great saving. The animal does not
lose in flesh. as formerly, and all these
conditions assist in gaining price, such
as l have indicated. Should the re-
striction that all cattle be killed ten
days after landing be removed, it would
be still further to the advantage of the
American shipper. Canada has already
seen the advantage of an inspection
system, and l have received several
letters from large Canadian shippers
asking the privilege of shipping
through our ports. They can ship
through our ports if they like, but I
can not give their cargoes certificate
Of inspection. The fact that our meats
are free from disease is being appreci-
ated in England, and our beef is in
greater demand than that from Can
ada -