The Barre Daily Times

One Barre Dealer Has Something to Say.

Calls It Injustice.

Editor, Times: I see by the Barre Times of March 13 that a farmer, in order to be able to dispose of his milk product, must have all his herd tested for tuberculosis by a veterinary and pronounced O. K. That sounds good, but to the farmer that means something more. First, it is an acknowledged fact by all competent veterinaries that the tuberculin test is not reliable. It is also an understood fact that thousands of cows are slaughtered under this test and examination has found them to be undiseased. Now, then, will the state of Vermont or city of Barre pay the farmer full value for these cattle so slaughtered? No! although they are his pride, they are slaughtered and found to be unaffected; a farmer has no recourse but to take what is handed by the state. To a farmer who knows that good cows are scarce like good men, it looks like a big injustice, as it surely is.

I for one welcome an inspection for my stable, milk and cattle; but if there is no trouble found in either of these places, I do not believe the right exists to test our cattle by injecting something into their systems which is an injury from which they never fully recover. Our herd of thirty-eight cattle are all in a healthy condition. There never was a case of tuberculosis on this farm, to my knowledge; neither is there one today. They have been from four to eight cows old in the local market for beef every year, and these were always satisfactory and never a disease developed.

Now, be this as it may, if this is carried into effect there must someone reimburse the farmer for the loss he suffers, and it is inevitable that it must come out of the consumer. In this, like all others, the more legislation, the greater the cost of living. If the city of Barre demands certified milk, then let the dealers demand what that product is worth.

I will not sign my name 'Constant Reader,' but

F. B. Martin.

March 15, 1909.