The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-02-15
PRIZE HERD is
IN QUARANTINE
HoIsteins Valued at
$1,000 Apiece TO
Be Condemned
State Dairy Commissioner Takes
Charge of Late Or. Warmers
Dairy

One Holstein cow, valued at $1,000
is dead, and eight other HoIsteins,
seven cows and a bull, probably the
finest herd of Holsteins in Connectf-
cut, are in quarantine at the Mill Hill,
Southport, residence of the late Dr. L
De Yer Warner, as a result of tuber-
culosis in the herd.
The value of the original herd of
eight cows and a bull is estimated at
upwards of $4,000. When cattle
fanciers familiar with the model dairy
recently begun by the late millionaire
manufacturer learned of the condi-
ttonS. they were dumbfoundeG, for tn e
cattle, recently shipped here from
Massachusetts, had the appearance of
a splendid herd.
1t had been the plan of the late
manufacturer to eSta blish model
dairy, and to that end he had bought
from a wealthy cattle fancier of Mas
sachusettS the costly herd that is now
apparently doomed. The Ho1stein is
a great milk producer, but the milk
ter fats as that of other COWS. The
with q view to combining large output
with a view to conbinin large output
with a high proportion of butter fats,
having been bred along those lines.
The herd had been in the palatial
dairy but few weeks, when one of
Southey of this city pronounced the
case one of tuberculosis. His dag
nosis was secuted. at first. but the cow
died within a few days, and post
mortem examination as well as bac-
THEOLOGICAL examination, IT is report
ed. confirmed the diagnosis.
The owner of the herd had left for
the south before the cattle were
stricken, but when he learned of the
situation he ordered an examination
Of the entire herd. While all the big
black and white cattle appeared to be
in excellent condition, a tuberoulin
test applied Individually, is reported
- ~ kT1e inf rad
spread through the entire herd.
In compliance with the law, DR..
Southey reported the conditions to
State Commissioner Averi1l, who or
dered the cattle placed under quaran-
tine. In connection with the order
of Commissioner Averill. it became
which had been sold throuhg neigh
boring farmer, had been marketed in
Bridgeport. The ctty's inspection Of
milk had failed to disclose the tuber-
cuIosis-laden milk. Immediately fol-
lowing the discovery of the presence
of the dread disease among the cattle
Fairfield dairynan's supply and 1T
has been thrown away ever since.
Commissioner Avertl said to The
Farmer today that the conditions sur
rounding the Warner herd are un-
usual, and for that reason the pro
cedure of ordering the herd dispatch
ed, might otherwise be done, is not
followed in this case.
The cattle have been in the state
less than six months said Commits
sioner AveriI. THAT being the case,
the state cannot, under the law, pay
for the herd if it ordered the cattle
killed. Further, our law doesn't re-
cognize the tuberculin test, which has
disclosed the condition of the herd.
The state law is such that we have to
form our diagnosis on a physical
examination of the cattle. So we have
placed the herd IN quarantine and are
awaiting dave1oprn ents.''
An interesting point of law is in
volved in the condition of the cattle.
Before interstate shipment of cattle,
under the laws of the several states,
the animals are supposed to be sub.
iected to rigorous tests, particularly
for tuberculosis. The purchase of the
Warner herd, it is understood, was
with guarantee of soundness of the
animals and also with certificates of
examina ton of the cows.
The cows came into the state about
10 weeks ago. Because of the excep-
tional value attached to the herd
the calves of which were marketable
at $500 each owing Sto the blue blood
of their pedigree-the Warner estate
is likely to seek recompense for the
commissioner expects, the symptoms
of tuberculosis manifest themselves SO
strong physically that he will be justf-
fed in issuing an order for the killing
of the infected animals.