r REPORT 1 
OF 
WILLIAM H. CARMALT, M.D., 
Commissioner of the New York State Agricultural Society, 
for THK INVESTIGATION OF 
- 
ABORTION IN COWS. 
Read Before the Society February 11, 1869. 
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 
ALBANY: 
PRINTING HOUSE OP CHARLES VAN BENTHUYSEN & SONS, 
1869. REPORT 
OF 
WILLIAM H. CARMALT, M.D., 
Commissioner of the New York State Agricultural Society, 
FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF 
ABORTION IN COWS. 
Read Before the Society February 11, 1869. 
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 
ALBANY: 
PRINTING HOUSE OF CHAS. VAN BENTHUYSEN & SONS. 
1869. ABORTION IN COWS. 
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Society: 
Immediately that notice was received, that this investigation 
was to be continued, the necessary steps were taken to prosecute 
the inquiry, in the manner demonstrated the most advisable by 
the experience gained last year; i. e., by the appointment of pro- 
perly qualified persons to inspect the farms or dairies considered 
desirable, and to obtain full reports thereof from the owners or 
occupants. 
As it appeared, from the examination then made, that farms were 
affected indiscriminately, as regards location, and that no rule with 
reference to contiguity could be established; that one largely- 
affected dairy might be surrounded, on all sides, by those perfectly 
healthy, or an unaffected dairy might lie in immediate proximity 
to several having the disease, in other respects, all apparently sub- 
ject to the same influences; it was considered desirable that as 
many reports as possible, of the two classes of affected and non- 
affected farms, should be obtained; and in order to secure this with 
the least possible expense, as well as that the inspection should in 
all cases be complete for the district examined, it was determined 
to have every farm reported. 
As it was further apparent from that report, as well as from 
information received from other sources, that Herkimer county was 
affected to a marked degree, and yet include a large number of 
farms reported as having escaped the disease entirely, it was 
considered a favorable district, in which to institute a series of 
comparisons, between farms; and as it was further desirable to 
compare districts as well as farms, the towns of Hardwick and 
Barre, in Worcester county, Massachusetts, which had been par- 
tially inspected last year, were also included in the plan of opera- 
tions. 
The following gentlemen were appointed to make these inspec- 
tions and reports, viz: Dr. K. F. Halsted, Inspector; and Drs. N. 4 
A. Lindley, Benjamin R. Swan and Daniel W. Iyissam, Assistant 
Inspectors. The Inspector, to receive a salary of one hundred and 
fifty (150) dollars per.month; the Assistant Inspectors, one hundred 
(100) dollars per month, and both, to have their necessary travel- 
ing expenses paid. 
They were furnished with the accompanying blank form of 
Report, marked “A,” to be filled up with the replies furnished by 
each farmer. They received instructions, as to the manner in which 
their inspections should be conducted, in all essential respects, 
similar to the circular letter of instructions issued hist year (which 
will be found in the Report of that year), and from time to time 
further directions were given to them, as circumstances seemed to 
render necessary. 
All the farms in that part of Herkimer county lying south of the 
towns of Russia, Norway and Salisbury were inspected, and thus 
reported upon, and also the towns of Hardwick and Barre, in 
Massachusetts, as before mentioned. 
In addition to the above general report of each farm, a botanical 
inspection of the town of Danube, in Herkimer county, was insti- 
tuted, for the purpose of determining whether the introduction 
of a deleterious substance into the food of the cows, could be tho 
cause of the trouble. 
Mr. Coe F. Austin was appointed Botanical Inspector, and 
received a salary of one hundred and fifty (150) dollars per month, 
and his necessary traveling expenses were also paid. He received 
instructions as follows: 
New York, July 3d, 1868. 
Mr. C. F. Austin, Inspector, ifc.: 
Sir—You are hereby appointed an Inspector, for the New York State Agricul- 
tural Society, in the Commission to investigate the subject of abortion in cows. 
As soon as possible after the receipt of this, you wiil please proceed to the town 
of Danube, in Herkimer county, in this State, and make a thorough botanical 
inspection of the farms therein, from a list furnished you by Inspector IIalsted, 
who is instructed to render you this, and such other assistance as you may, 
together, deem advisable for the interests of this investigation. 
In your inspection, you will collect and preserve specimens of all plants found in 
the meadows, pastures, and among the grain of those farms;—which specimens 
shall be the property of the Agricultural Society. You will record, at the time, 
the habitat, and the percentage of frequency, for each plant in pasture, meadow 
and grain field, for each farm. 
You will examine for any disease of the plants, whether due to the presence of 
a parasitical growth of any kind, or other cause; and when found, you will record 
the part of the plant affected;—the habitat of the diseased as compared with tho 5 
healthy -plant; the percentage of disease; and, so far as you can learn from obser- 
vation on the ground, the course and natural history of the disease. You are 
especially desired to make as careful observations and collections as possible, of 
all fungi upon plants—among which, Ergot, holds in connection with this investi- 
gation, a peculiar importance. 
Forward specimens of every diseased plant you obtain, to the Commissioner, at 
as early a date after collection as practicable. 
As soon as possible after making your collections, you will make out a proper 
classification of the specimens secured, with an account of their natural history 
and habits; making a complete botanical history.of each farm separately. 
No necessary expense is to be spared, in making your inspection as thorough as 
possible, so far as it may relate to the subject undergoing investigation. At the 
same time, you are relied ujjoii to exercise a judicious economy in husbanding the 
resources of the Society, and to assist in this way the successful accomplishment 
of its work. 
At the termination of each month of service, you will furnish to the Commis- 
sioner a report of your operations for that month, together with an account of 
your expenses during the same period. 
Very respectfully yours, 
W. H. CARMALT, M. D., 
Commissioner. 
Mr. Austin began his examination on July 8th, and, with the 
exception of a few days, continued in the field until September 
18th, when he reported in person, to the Commissioner, to make 
up his reports. These consist of: 
1st. A report, marked “ B,” of four hundred and forty-nine (449) 
plants, growing spontaneously in the town, giving, for each, its 
proper botanical classification and common name; its habitat, 
whether growing in meadows, pastures, grain-fields or woods; the 
estimated frequency of its occurrence; and the farms upon which 
each was actually found. Specimens of three hundred and sixty- 
six (366) of these were preserved, and afterwards carefully mounted 
and labelled, and, together with the reports “D” and “ G,” here- 
after referred to, are placed in the Rooms of the Agricultural 
Society for reference, and in the hope that this collection may 
serve as a nucleus for an Herbarium of all the plants growing spon- 
taneously in the State, should it at any time hereafter, be consid- 
ered desirable for the Society to possess such an one.* 
2nd. A report, marked “ D,” of cultivated grain raised on each 
farm. 
* Two points of more especial interest, however, to a botanist, are the presence, in this 
collection, of a specimen of Cynosurus cristatus, or crested dog’s-tail, heretofore undis- 
covered in this country; and of a new species of Danthonia, viz: Danthonia comprcusa, 
Austin, never before described. 6 
3rd. A report, marked “ E,” of the grasses affected by Ergot, 
{Claviceps purpurea, Tulasne), giving the name of each farmer; the 
percentage of abortion on his farm, as reported by Inspector 
IIalsted; the estimated percentage of frequency of the grass in tho 
meadows; and the estimated percentage of frequency of disease on 
the plant. The latter, Inis reference to the number of heads of 
grass affected, not to the total amount of ergot; for, while in one 
plant but one or two seeds may be ergotized, in another nearly all 
may be affected, so that a closer estimate than the above is, obvi- 
ously, impossible; together with a report, of the grasses unaffected 
by Ergot, giving their estimated frequency of occurrence in tho 
meadows, for each farm. 
4th. A report, marked “ G,” on Rust, as affecting the grasses 
growing spontaneously, giving the estimated percentage of tho 
grass in the meadows, with the estimated percentage of frequency 
of diseased plants, to each farm. 
In addition to the above, a 5th report marked “ II,” has been 
furnished, by Mr. Jno. L. Russell, of Salem, Massachusetts, of the 
proper classification of a collection, by Mr. Austin, of several 
species of the more common parasitical growths on tho plants 
found. 
If the cause of this trouble is to be found in the food of the 
animals affected, the offending substance would, in all probability, 
it is considered, be found in some of the above reports, and would 
also be noted as occurring only, or in greater frequency, on those 
farms reported to have been to a considerable degree troubled by 
the disease. 
In examining the report “ B,” of those plants collected or noted 
as growing spontaneously in the town, with regard to the reputed 
influence that any may have, upon the animal system, quite a large 
number may be noted as having some reported medicinal quali- 
ties, but a very few can be said, to be liable to produce abortions; 
and none of these, without associated symptoms, to be remarked 
by the farmers; nor are these noted as occurring exclusively, or 
even in greater frequency, on the affected farms; but are recorded 
either indefinitely “ on all farms,” or on a few farms of both classes, 
noted together. 
The number of noxious plants that may be cut and gathered in, 
with the hay, is of course very much smaller in number, and are 
probably nearly all the same varieties that would be found in the 
pastures; and yet, in the year 1867, out of the whole number of 7 
1758 abortions, in which the month of the year was noted, 1571, 
or 89 per cent, occurred during the months of November, Decem- 
ber, January, February and March, being those months during 
which the cows are stabled and fed principally on hay. 
The report of 1867 shows, that the rule with regard to abortions 
is, that there are no marked symptoms on the part of the cow 
before the abortion occurs. There is no constitutional disturbance, 
other than should properly be referred to the fact of an approach- 
ing natural labor. There are no evidences of poisoning, either by 
substances irritating the alimentary canal, from which the uterus, 
by its proximity, may be stimulated to contraction; nor from any dis- 
turbance of the general system producing an abortion secondarily. 
The instances in which the cow is sick, before abortion (other than 
above noted), are too rare to be taken into consideration, in trying 
to find a cause for so extensive a malady; and all symptoms occur- 
ring after, are properly to be referred to the fact of the abortion, 
and not to anything beyond that. 
Your Commissioner is unable to find, in the lists presented, any 
plant in itself healthy, which there is « reasonable probability has 
been the cause of this disease, affecting, as it does, so large a number 
of farms. 
The possibility that some plants may be diseased, or subject to 
parasitical growths, and in this condition be eaten by the cows, and 
cause abortion, engaged the attention of the Commission; and the 
subject, it will be remembered, was embraced in the instructions 
issued to the Botanical Inspector. So far as practicable, specimens 
of plants so affected were collected, and were afterwards placed in 
the hands of Mr. Charles James Sprague, of Boston, for exami- 
nation, who conferred with Mr. John L. Russell, of Salem, upon 
their proper classification. These gentlemen are the most compe- 
tent authorities in the Northern United States, on this subject; and 
where desirable, extracts.are taken from Mr. Sprague’s reports and 
letters to the Commissioner. 
It was impossible for the collector to have made a complete col- 
lection of all the different fungi affecting the plants, and at the 
same time to have made a complete botanical examination of the 
district assigned him, in any one season; for, to quote Mr. Sprague: 
“ There is scarcely a phanerogamous plant which is not more or 
less infested. * * * The genera XJredo, YEcidium, Puccinium, 
and others, are found everywhere upon almost everything. * * * 
Cows could not graze where these fungi do not abound. I presume 8 
* * * that there are at least two thousand distinct parasitic 
fungi on New England vegetation. The peculiar species which 
attack grasses are limited; but if the animals should have access to 
woods, glades, undergrowths, &c., they would be exposed to the 
effects * * * of eating hundreds of different so-called species 
of fungi. Many of these * * * ure minute microscopic species. 
' * * * It would be almost impossible to trace the effect of these 
parasites on animals eating them, because an immense quantity 
would be requisite to cause any effect, and the cattle would eat 
scores of species with every mouthful picked up.” 
Of the fungi affecting grasses, the one of most evident primary 
practical value in this investigation is Ergot (Claviceps purpurea, 
Tul.); first, by reason of its known influence upon the pregnant 
uterus; and secondly, because it is probably eaten in largest quan- 
tity with the hay, at the time when abortions prevail with greatest 
frequency; i. e., during the winter. 
By reference to the report on Ergot, marked “ E,” it is seen that 
this fungus was found on ten (10) different plants, of which six 
(6) are among the more frequent meadow or pasture grasses, and 
it also shows the estimated percentage of frequency, for each farm, 
of each grass, and the estimated percentage therein of diseased 
plants. By adding the grasses contained in this table, with those 
unaffected by ergot (in the same table), a tolerably fair estimate 
may be formed of the amount and proportion of this substance in 
the hay fed to the cows; and noting the percentage of abortion, 
on each farm, will show if those farms having the greatest amount 
of ergot are also those affected by abortions; or if those having no 
abortions, are also comparatively free from ergot. 
Your Commissioner is unable to trace any such definite relation 
as there recorded, though, as the record of abortions is for the 
year ending April 1st, 1868, and the botanical inspection was made 
during the summer of 1868, the record of abortions does not cover 
the ergot reported. It will be necessary to know the history of 
the disease next year, before a positive conclusion can be arrived 
at on this point, though the quantity of ergot reported on any farm 
this year, is so small that it is highly improbable that it should 
exert any such very general influence, as the history of this disease 
shows it must do, if it is to be considered the principal cause of 
the trouble; and more so, in view of the established rule, that 
the ruminata require a proportionately greater quantity of almost 
every substance, if introduced into their stomachs, than the mono- 9 
gastric, before a similar effect is produced on the rest of the system. 
Well authenticated observation shows, further, that the continued 
administration of ergot, in considerable quantity, is not infre- 
quently followed by gangrene and paralysis of the extremities, or 
other evidences of serious poisoning. It would seem not improb- 
able, that as usually no material change is made in the food of 
the cows during the winter, but that the ergot, if administered at 
all, is continued to be taken to the same extent until the cows 
are turned out to pasture, that if enough was taken to produce 
any considerable number of the abortions reported, that out of the 
75,000 cows, and reported 4,350 abortions, passing under the notice 
of the Inspectors of the Society during the last two years, some 
one instance of this kind of trouble would have occurred, and if 
occurred, surely reported; but the records of the Commission are 
without an instance. 
But a small amount of grain is raised in Danube, proportionately 
to the dairy products. One (1) fyrin reported raising rye; three 
(3) raised buckwheat; three (3), corn; seven (7), wheat; fifty-four 
(54), oats, and thirteen (13), barley, though this list must not be 
understood to be complete. Partly the limited time at the disposal 
of the Inspector in which to make an examination of the whole 
town, and to a certain extent an inability on his part to understand 
his instructions on this point, whether verbal or written, pre- 
vented so full a report on this subject as was designed; but so far 
as reported, and compared with the general report of the town, 
by Dr. R. F. Halsted, it is as follows, viz: 
The point of importance being still the food of the cows;—of 
one hundred and four (104) farms inspected in the town, forty (40) 
raised the grain from which the ground feed given to the cows was 
made; and sixty-four (64) did liot raise it;—of the 64, on 8 the 
ground feed was purchased, either from mills or stores in the 
neighborhood, beyond which it could not be definitely traced, and 
of these, 5, or 62 per cent had abortions upon them; and on the 
other 56 no ground feed or grain at all was given, and 9, or 16 
per cent had abortions upon them. Of the remaining 40, 14, or 36 
per cent had abortions upon them, and of the 14, 5 were reported 
not to raise oats, and 11 were reported not to raise barley. The 
nine raising oats had “smut” (Ustilago segetwn) to a very limited 
amount, a “trace” on all, and “rust” {Puccinia graminis) invaria- 
ble proportion, from 50 per cent to “ a trace ” on all; while of the 
26 on which no abortions occurred, 14 were reported not to raise 10 
oats, and 22 were reported not to raise barley, leaving 12 raising 
oats and 4 raising barley to feed the cows, out of which 10 were 
affected by both rust and smut. While it is, therefore, apparent 
that abortions prevail to a greater extent, upon those farms where 
ground feed is given than upon those where it is not, the number 
upon which it is given is too small to base an opinion upon, were 
.not the occurrence of these parasites so nearly uniform on both 
classes of affected and non-affected farms, as to justify the expres- 
sion that they cannot be a probable cause of this disease there. 
It would seem, then, that the substances used for food by the 
cattle, in this town, have been sufficiently well examined to have 
found anything therein that could be considered to cause so general 
a trouble. The pastures, woods and cultivated fields, after the 
grain had been cut, and the meadows, after the hay was harvested, 
have been gone over without finding sufficient therein to account 
for the trouble during the summer months, while the cows were 
grazing; and the standing hay and grain have been examined to 
determine if the offending substance could be found there, to 
account for the great amount of disease during the winter, but each 
equally without success. 
The principal phenomena of this disease are sufficiently distinct, 
to warrant the exclusion of a substance that would cause the 
disease secondarily, and the only one having a direct action on the 
pregnant uterus, i e., Ergot (though as yet its want of influence 
must be considered not absolutely settled), was found in too small 
quantity to be considered a probable cause of so wide spread an 
affection; and we are forced to a negative conclusion in endeavoring 
to account for the disease by reason of the introduction of a delete- 
nous substance in the food. 
The general inspection closed December 4th, 1808;—the follow- 
ing is a summary of the towns inspected, the whole number of 
farms in each, the number of affected farms in each, and the per- 
centage of affected farms;—showing that Fairfield has the largest 
percentage of affected farms, viz: 72; and Barre the lowest, 
viz: 7; or in Herkimer county alone, Warren has the lowest, 
viz: 13. 11 
IN HERKIMER COUNTY, NEW YORK. 
Towns. 
Whoie num- 
ber of farms 
inspected. 
Number of 
affected 
farms. 
Per cent of 
affected 
farms. 
Newport 
105 
63 
60 
Fairfield 
97 
70 
72 
German Flats 
120 
26 
22 
Herkimer 
103 
33 
32 
Little Falls 
89 
38 
43 
Frankfort 
102 
20 
20 
Litchfield 
131 
41 
31 
Winfield 
84 
26 
31 
Schuyler 
107 
33 
31 
Danube 
104 
28 
27 
Manheim 
91 
32 
35 
Stark 
89 
17 
19 
Warren 
119 
16 
13 
Columbia 
128 
21 
16 
1469 
464 
33 
IN WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS. 
Hardwick 
105 
24 
23 
Barre 
119 
8 
7 
i 
1693 
496 
29 12 
These towns report cows in calf, and abortions, respectively, as 
follows: 
Towns. 
Total number of 
cows in calf. 
Number of 
abortions. 
Per cent of 
abortions. 
Newport 
2,895 
361 
.124 
Fairfield 
3,397 
* ‘ 324 
.095 
German Flats 
1,790 
133 
.074 
Herkimer 
2,582 
166 
.064 
Little Falls 
2,703 
164 
.06 
Frankfort 
1,299 
71 
.054 
Litchfield 
2,384 
113 
.047 
Winfield 
1,756 
84 
.047 
Schuyler 
2,236 
100 
.044 
Danube 
2,363 
102 
.043 
Manheim 
3,347 
132 
.039 
Stark 
1,711 
68 
.039 
Warren 
2,032 
78 
.038 
Columbia 
1,861 
45 
.024 
32,356 
1,941 
.06 
Hardwick 
1,240 
105 
.084 
Barre 
1,323 
11 
.0083 
Total 
35,919 
2,057 
.057 
The results of the above table are further shown in the Map at 
the end of this Report, marked “ X,” in which those towns, having 
less than 4 per cent of abortions, are in White; those having from 
4 to 6 per cent (both inclusive), are in Gray; and those having over 
6 per cent (being the average for the county), are in Black. 
Comparing the actual frequency of abortions, with the number 
of affected farms in the different towns, it is seen that the relation 
is not positive: 13 
Towns. 
Per cent of 
abortions. 
Per cent of 
affected 
farms. 
Newport 
.124 
.60 
Fairfield 
.095 
.72 
German Flats 
.074 
.22 
Herkimer 
.064 
.32 
Little Falls 
.06 
.43 
Frankfort , 
.054 
.20 
Litchfield 
.047 
.31 
Winfield 
.047 
.31 
Schuyler 
.044 
.31 
Danube •. 
.043 
.27 
Manheim 
.039 
.35 
Stark 
.039 
.038 
.024 
.19 
.13 
Columbia 
.16 
Average Herkimer county 
.06 w 
.32 i 
Hardwick 
.084 
.23 
Barre 
.0083 
.07 
I 
The irregularity which may be said to be one of the most marked 
characteristics of this disease, and which has so often interfered 
with the determination of its probable cause, is well shown in the 
above table, for while the highest and lowest hold about the same 
relation to each other, in both columns, in no other part can any 
constant rule be established; as, for instance, Frankfort, which is 
sixth in the order of abortions, is eleventh as regards frequency 
of alfected farms; and Manheim, which is eleventh in the order of 
abortions, is fourth in the order of affected farms; while Warren, 
having but one-tenth of one per cent less abortions than Manheim, 
is fourteenth or lowest in the order of affected farms. So that, a 
high percentage in a town may be brought about either by a few 
farms being largely affected, or by a large number of farms, each 
having comparatively a slight loss. Thus Fairfield, having but 
two per cent more abortions than German Flats, has a little more 
than three times the percentage of affected farms, the loss in the 
latter town being brought up by farms having suffered heavily, viz: 
94 per cent, 82 per cent, and 61 per cent for each of three farms; 
94 per cent being, proportionately, the heaviest loss reported in 
the county occurring in a dairy of 19 cows. 14 
The disease affects farms lying near each other, very irregularly, 
also, as regards their comparative percentage of abortions, though a 
tendency may be said to exist towards a concentration of affected 
farms to a vicinity. This is further shown, in the diagram at the 
end of this Report, marked “Z,” of all the farms inspected in 
Herkimer county with the percentage of abortions of each, repre- 
sented as follows: those having 5 per cent or less being in Green; 
those between 5 and 10 per cent in Red; those from 10 to 25 per 
cent in Yellow, and those over 25 per cent in Blue; the noil-affected 
being in White. 
Of the 464 farms affected by the disease, 120 had 5 per cent 
or less of the disease upon them; 126 had from 5 to 10 per cent; 
134 had from 10 to 25 per cent, and 84 had over 25 per cent;— 
about one-half having less than 10 per cent. 
To determine the relation between the size of the herd, and the 
liability to be affected by the disease, the following table is pre- 
sented, showing the percentage of abortions, the average size of 
all the herds, and the average size of the affected herds, and the 
average size of the non-affected herds for each town: 
Towns. 
Per cent of 
abortion. 
Average 
number in 
each herd. 
Average 
number in 
affected 
herds. 
Average 
number 
in non- 
affeoted 
herds. 
Newport 
.124 
27 
30 
23 
Fairfield 
.095 
36 
38 
26 
German Flats 
.074 
15 
20 
13 
Herkimer 
.064 
25 
33 
21 
Little Falls 
.06 
30 
35 
27 
Frankfort 
.054 
13 
20 
11 
Litchfield 
.047 
18 
22 
16 
Winfield 
.047 
21 
23 
20 
Schuyler 
.044 
21 
29 
17 
Danube 
.043 
22.7 
22.5 
22.7 
Manheim 
.039 
37 
42 
34 
Stark 
.039 
19 
19 
19 
Warren 
.038 
17 
21 
16 
Columbia 
.024 
14 
17 
13 
.06 
22 
29 
19 
Hardwick 
.084 
13 
17 
10 
Barre 
.0083 
11 
17 
11 15 
This table shows, then, that the size of the herd has no constant 
relation to the percentage of abortions for the towns, for Manheim, 
which averages the highest number of cows per herd, stands 
eleventh in order of frequency of abortions; and Frankfort, 
whose dairies average 13 cows, being the lowest average in Her- 
kimer county, is the fifth in the order of abortions. Fairfield 
holds the same position with regard to number of cows and fre- 
quency of abortions, being in each instance the second, while 
Newport, whose rate of abortion ranks highest, stands fourth in 
the order of number of cows per farm. 
But it shows further, that the average number of cows on 
affected farms in a town, is always larger than on those uon-affected 
(with the single exception of the town of Danube, where the non- 
affected herds average one-fifth of a cow more than those affected); 
so that, while the size of the herds has no relation to the percentage 
of abortions in the towns, the tendency of the disease is to affect 
the larger dairies in a given district. 
The number of farms inspected in 1867, in these towns of Her- 
kimer county, was 597, of which 200, or about 33 per cent, were 
then affected. This year, of the 1,469 farms reported, 464, or 
per cent, were affected. This slight difference in favor of 1868, 
may be accounted for by recalling the fact that last year the inspec- 
tions were confined to those farms containing 15 or more cows, 
with the addition of all others containing less than 15 upon which 
abortions had occurred that year. This year every farm having 
cows upon it has been reported, and it may be considered to show, 
the actual amount of disease in whatever district is referred to, and 
will account for the greater percentage of affected farms in 1867. 
Comparing the reports of 1867 Avith the records here given, the 
percentages of the towns for the two years is as follows, viz: 
Towns. 
1868. 
1867. 
Towns. 
1868. 
1867. 
Newport 
Fairfield 
German Flats 
Herkimer 
Little Falls 
Frankfort 
Litchfield 
Total for Gorki 
.124 
.095 
.074 
.064 
.06 
.054 
.047 
.09 
.11 
.047 
.048 
.078 
not rep. 
.06 
Winfield 
Schuyler 
Danube 
Manheim 
Stark 
1 
Warren 
Columbia 
.047 
.044 
.043 
.039 
.039 
.038 
.024 
.06 
.024 
not rep. 
.054 
.056 
.025 
.019 
.018 
.055 16 
Comparing this table with the statement just presented, of the 
total percentage of affected farms during the last two years, it will 
be seen that while the percentage of affected farms was greater 
last year, that this year the total percentage of actual abortions is 
the greater, showing that the disease lias actually increased in 
frequency. 
Attention is further directed to the circumstance, that while the 
total percentage for the county does not vary materially as between 
the two years, still, with the exceptions of the extremes of two 
highest and two lowest, considerable differences exist in the towns 
with regard to their percentages in the different years. Thus 
German Flats, which is in 1868 the third in rate of actual disease, 
was in 1867 the eighth; and Manheim, which was then the fifth, is 
now the ninth, not counting the two towns of Frankfort and 
Schuyler, not reported in 1867. And reference to the Map “ Y,” 
hereto appended, of the results of the inspection in 1867, will 
show, at a glance, in what towns these differences occurred. 
This uncertainty as to the recurrence of the disease may be 
further illustrated as regards farms by comparing the results of 
the inspection of 1867 of 71 farms in the town of Little Falls, and 
of the inspection of the same farms in 1868. Of these 71 farms, 
31 escaped the disease in both years; 23 had the disease both years; 
8 had the disease in 1867 and escaped in 1868, and 9 which were 
unaffected in 1867 had the disease in 1868. The comparison shows 
further, that the percentage of disease in one year bears no posi- 
tive relation to the percentage the following year; for the 8 which 
had the disease in 1867, and escaped in 1868, were affected vari- 
ously, from 2 per cent to 25 per cent; and the 9 which had no dis- 
ease in 1867, were, in 1868, affected in different amounts, ranging 
between 3 per cent and 41 per cent. 
This uncertain feature is, however, as regards either towns or 
farms within certain limits, and the proportion of instances in which 
the disease returns, may be determined with tolerable exactness, 
as follows: of the 383 farms reporting abortions in 1867, 280, or 
73 per cent, had abortions on them again in 1868; of the 899 
farms reporting no abortions in 1867, 180, or 20 per cent, had abor- 
tions on them in 1868; or the disease is about 3£ times as likely to 
recur upon an affected fai'm as it is to appear upon a previously non- 
affected farm. 
With regard to the period of pregnancy, at which abortions 
occur, it is reported as follows: In the 1st month 0 
In the 7th month 341 
do 8th do 360 
do 9th do 238 
do 4th do 66 
Total 1320 
do 6th do 198 
This report agrees with the report of 1867, except that a larger 
proportion were then reported occurring during the sixth month, 
and a smaller proportion towards the ninth month than seems to 
be the case this year. They agree, however, in the important point, 
that as pregnancy advances the abortions occur with greater fre- 
quency, up to the time when much uncertainty must prevail, as 
whether the full term of pregnancy has expired or not. 
The month of the year, during which abortions occur, can be 
determined with tolerable precision, as follows: 
In the month of April 
86 
In the month of November . 
. 115 
do 
May 
27 
do 
December... 
. 215 
do 
June 
2 
do 
January ... 
. 354 
do 
July 
2 
do 
February .. 
. 426 
do 
August 
1 
do 
March 
. 358 
do 
September... 
18 
Total ... 
. 1644 
do 
October 
40 
Of these 1,644 cases, it will be noticed that 1,468, or 89 per 
cent, occurred during the five winter months of November, Decem- 
ber, January, February and March, during which the cows are 
kept up, precisely the same percentage as a similar comparison 
showed to be the case last year. The marked decrease of abor- 
tions during April, while a large number are still stabled, is prob- 
ably owing to the circumstance, that by that time, a large number 
of the cows have arrived at their full period of gestation, and have 
calved at term. 
The question of the influence exerted by the age of the bulls 
used for service, engaged the attention of the Commission last 
year, but it seemed desirable to include it in the reports for this 
year, and the following results were obtained: 18 
Number of Cows impregnated by 
Bull aged 
1 year. 
Bull aged 
2 years. 
Bull aged 3 
yrs or over. 
That carried calf to full term 
9,740 
522 
19,530 
1,340 
1,482 
74 
That aborted 
Per cent of abortions 
10,202 
20,870 
1,506 
.05 
.064 
.047 
• 
Showing a slight influence in favor of the use of aged bulls 
over both the younger classes, but also an influence in favor of 
yearling bulls over those two years old; so that it cannot bo 
claimed from this, that it is the ago alone, which exerts the favor- 
able influence for the aged bulls. 
This same question of the age of the bulls, was also referred to 
the classes of affected and non-affected farms, with the view of the 
bearing upon the nutrition of the foetus, from excessive use of the 
bull, and as many bulls are allowed to serve other cows than those 
on the farms on which they are kept, care was taken to ascertain 
the full number of cows served: 
On the Affected Farms 
On the Non-Affected Farms 
One year old bulls served 23 cows each. 
Two do do 35 do 
Three do do 37 do 
One year old bulls served 20 cows each. 
Two do do 31 do 
Three do do 41 do 
It may be seen from this list, that while there does not appear to 
be any excessive strain upon the generative powers of the bulls, at 
the different ages, yet in the case of the yearlings, and two years 
old bulls, more cows are, on the average, served on the affected 
than on the non-affected farms, while in the case of the three 
years old bulls, the contrary average exists. That this is owing to 
the habit of using the older bulls for service outside the farms upon 
which they are kept, is shown if the cows upon the same farms 
only are taken into the calculation; in both instances of affected 
and non-affected farms, the average number served by aged bulls is 
but eighteen. 
This question of the age of the bull may be considered further; 
and although the reports at the service of the Commission, do not 
show any very marked influence in favor of the aged bulls, so far 19 
as directly affecting the immediate subject under investigation goes, 
yet a secondary influence is not unlikely to be exerted that must be 
of interest, and the attention of the Society is directed to the very 
limited number of aged bulls used, for out of 1,213 bulls used this 
year, in that part of Herkimer county inspected, but 32 were over 
two years old, while in Barre, where the percentage of abortions 
is but four-fifths of one per cent, of 86 bulls used, 28 were over that 
age. The habit of breeding from immature bulls cannot be too 
strongly objected to, if we may be allowed to be governed by the 
experience of those who breed to improve the general constitution 
of their stock, or by the rule winch exists among wild animals, 
among which the young males are kept from service by the older 
ones, until they arrive at sufficient maturity and vigor to assert their 
equality and consequent right to perpetuate their kind; and, while 
we cannot say that the foetus gotten by a young bull will not live 
to be delivered, still, the delicate constitution thus liable to be 
produced, will, if a heifer, and permitted to live and breed, be 
likely to fail when called upon to go through with the drain, here- 
after to be further referred to, in breeding at two years old, and 
in immediately afterwards being compelled to give an excessive 
amount of milk. 
The principal idea of the farmers, from whom the Commission 
has this year received reports, with regard to the use of their cows, 
is to get as much milk as possible therefrom with as little outlay 
as can be got along with, and therefore a bull is rather a necessary 
evil than otherwise; and as the smaller the animal is the less it will 
cost to keep, so, if a bull will but get a cow with calf, his destiny 
is accomplished, and the calf is killed as soon after birth as the 
stomach will do for rennet;—that must be saved;—for the records 
of last year show, that 14,000 out of 17.000 calves born alive at 
full term, were killed within a few days after birth. 
The milking qualities of the dam was intended to be considered, 
but owing to a typographical error in the blanks, the distinction 
between good and ordinary milkers was not in all cases obtained; 
so far, however, as reported, it appears that of 6„464 good milkers in 
calf, 390, or .06 per cent, aborted; that of 4,954 ordinary milkers 
in calf, 248, or .05 per cent, aborted; but as the total percentage of 
abortions among cows, as distinguished from heifers, is reported 
hereafter at .059 per cent, neither of these classes differs sufficiently 
from the latter to suggest a probability even that the milking 
qualities, per se, have any marked influence. 20 
The Commission would have been pleased to have given more 
information on this point, but the full report of 1867, and the 
partial one of this year, substantially agree, neither showing any 
marked difference in disease between the two chisses of milkers. 
The point of interest in this classification, however, being that 
of over-taxing or exciting irritability in the generative organs of 
the dam, in hereafter bringing to the attention of the Society the 
question of the total product of the cow, the most essential point 
in this connection is not lost; for it is not to be assumed that 
because one cow naturally gives a larger quantity of milk than 
another, that she will be the one to abort when exceeding an arbi- 
trary standard, and so far as collected, the reports do not point to 
any difference. An ordinary milker, who is milked during the later 
months of pregnancy to make her pay as much for her care as a 
good milker, is likely to suffer more from the drain, and experience 
more irritation in her generative organs (of which the mammary 
gland is an important part) than a cow which, naturally, gives a 
larger quantity. 
Are first pregnancies more or less liable to abortion ? 
Number of cows in calf (excluding first pregnancies) 30,971 
do do that aborted 1,840 
Per cent .059 
Number of first pregnancies 3,175 
do do that aborted 182 
Per cent .056 
This difference is too slight to lead to any other conclusion, than 
that the same liability to abortion pertains in a first pregnancy, that 
exists in later ones. 
Are cows which have aborted, more likely to abort the year fol- 
lowing, than those which have carried their calves to full term ? 
Of 29,649 cows which carried calf to full term in 1867, 1,698, or 
.058 per cent, aborted in 1868; of 987 which aborted in 1867, 121, 
or .12 per cent, aborted in 1868, showing that a cow which has 
aborted is twice as liable to abort, the following year, as one which 
has previously carried her calf to full term. 
It has been suggested that subjecting cows to changes, from farm 
to farm, might have a prejudicial effect against carrying calf to 
full term. With a view of determining this, the following table 
is presented: 21 
Of the Cows 
That car- 
ried calf to 
full term. 
That abor- 
ted. 
Per cent 
of abor- 
tions. 
Raised on the farm, including those brought 
on as unimpregnated heifers 
11,730 
551 
.046 
Brought on at any time during or since their 
first pregnancy 
19,961 
1,380 
.07 
Showing a decided influence in favor of raising the cows rather 
than buying them, as is so frequently done, indiscriminately about 
the country, or from droves. 
For a further illustration of this point, the actual condition, 
whether pregnant or not pregnant, at the time of removal, was 
made the subject of inquiry, with the following result: 
Of all the Cows brought on during the 
PAST TEAR 
That car- 
ried calf to 
full term. 
That abor- 
ted. 
Per cent 
of abor- 
tions. 
2,322 
1,031 
203 
24 
.087 
.02 
Number not pregnant at time of removal .... 
Showing a very decided objection to subjecting cows to removal 
during pregnancy, whether compared with all removals, or even 
with those removals taking place during the non-pregnant condi- 
tion only. That this would be expected, owing to the greater 
liability to accident, and from fighting with other cows, is very 
evident; but it must be taken into consideration, when providing 
means to prevent the occurrence of the disease, and shows the advan- 
tage of raising cows on the farm, or subjecting them to change only 
during the non-pregnant condition. 
It has been shown that cows are not more liable to abort during 
first pregnancies; but whether the effect of early breeding is pre- 
judical to carrying calf to full term in subsequent pregnancies, is 
yet to be considered. For the investigation of this point the 
Inspectors were desired to get the age at which the cows raised 
upon the farms (or brought on as unimpregnated heifers) first 
calved; being those onlg, which the farmer could state had been under 
his own observation and care since before their first impregnation. 
The reports are contained in the following table: 22 
Op all tiie Cows raised on the Farms 
That car- 
ried calf to 
full term. 
That abor- 
ted. 
Per cent 
of abor- 
tions. 
No. that first calved at under 3 years of age .. 
No. that first calved at 3 years of age or over.. 
9,129 
1,902 
462 
66 
.05 
.03 
Showing tendency towards abortion, among cows which 
began breeding at under three years of age, and giving confirma- 
tion to what has been said, when referring to the influence of using 
immature bulls, viz: that immature slock should not be used for 
breeding purposes. 
In the further consideration, of whether this practice is more 
prevalent on affected or on non-affected farms, the reports of Her- 
kimer county show as follows, viz: 
Cows. 
Affected 
farms. 
Non-affected 
farms. 
Whole number of cows raised 
3,372 
2,869 
7,047 
5,865 
Number that first calved under 3 years of age 
Per cent 
.85 
.83 
While, therefore, the reports oil this point do not show any 
marked difference, to account for the prevalence of the disease on 
the affected farms, they do show a very uniformly general practice 
in Herkimer county, of breeding at a very early age, and if the 
comparison is extended to the town of Barre, in Massachusetts, 
where the abortions are but four-fifths of one per cent, it is seen, 
that thp percentage of cows first calving at under three years, is 
but 77 per cent on the affected farms, and 72 per cent on the lion- 
affected farms. 
Leaving this point for the present, and taking the question of 
the total product of the cows, which bears a very close connection 
to this, the first consideration is; how much milk do the cows give ? 
and second; does the amount influence gestation ? 
For the examination of this, the Inspectors were requested to 
report, for each form, the average number of pounds of butter and 
cheese made, and the number of gallons of milk sold. These 
were reduced to pounds of milk, by multiplying the number of 
pounds of cheese by ten (10), the pounds of butter by twenfy-five 23 
(25), and the gallons of milk by eight (8). These figures may not 
represent exactly the actual quantity of milk produced, but as in 
all the calculations hereafter made, these same factors are used, 
they will be reliable for purposes of comparison. 
The census tables for the State of New York, taken in 1865, 
report the average yield of milk, per cow, for the whole State, to 
be 2,571 pounds. The following list, taken from the same source, 
shows the average number of pounds of milk, per cow, from the 
returns of 133 cheese factories, for 18 counties, being all those 
reported: 
Counties. 
Number of 
factories 
reported. 
Number of 
cows. 
Average lbs. 
of milk per 
cow. 
1 
670 
1,780 
Chautauqua 
4 
1,853 
2,643 
Chenango 
10 
4,520 
2,743 
Cortland... 
5 
3,250 
2,808 
Erie 
2 
1,385 
2,586 
*Essex 
1 
1,100 
* 2,408 
Herkimer 
5 
2,383 
3,408 
Jefferson 
15 
7,413 
2,545 
Lewis 
16 
8,877 
2,795 
Madison 
12 
6,700 
3,091 
Montgomery ... 
4 
1,615 
2,940 
Oneida 
35 
17,358 
2,890 
*Onondaga 
1 
400 
3,329 
Oswego 
11 
4,550 
2,421 
Otsego, 
5 
2,180 
2,956 
*St. Lawrence 
1 
375 
2,953 
*Tompkins 
1 
900 
3,190 
Wyoming. ... 
4 
1,855 
2,361 
Summary of 18 counties 
133 
65,384 
2,802 
* Five counties represented by 
1 each 
3,445 
2,662 
The reports to this Commission, represent the total average quan- 
tity of milk obtained from the non-affected farms in Herkimer 
county, reporting 11,908 cows, at 4,386 pounds per cow. 24 
The table for the cheese factories it is understood, only 
the actual quantity brought to the factories, while the instructions 
to the Inspectors, as also to the Enumerators of the census, were in 
all cases to get the whole yield. The importance of as near an 
approach to perfect accuracy as possible, was insisted upon to tho 
officers of the Commission, and additional certainty secured by 
•* reference, whenever desirable, to the records of cheese factories, to 
which the milk was taken. It is decidedly the opinion of your 
Commissioner, from a careful examination of the separate reports, 
that the amounts given by the Inspectors are a very near approxi- 
mation to the actual yield, and yet they demonstrate an average 
excess of 1,815 pounds more milk, per cow, than the statistics of the 
whole State determine should be the yield. Additional evidence, 
to the effect that the farmers of Herkimer county are demanding 
a greater than the usual yield, is shown by reference to the above 
table of cheese factory products, which indicates an excess of 600 
pounds of milk more, per cow, from Herkimer county than the 
average of the other counties, in the same table. It would hardly 
seem necessary to state, that a drain upon an animal of this amount, 
and nature,, must exert an injurious influence upon the reproduc- 
tive apparatus, of which the mammary gland is an important part, 
were it not that the habit is of such general frequency that it demands 
further reference, to be given hereafter. 
The effect of abortions upon the supply of milk, may be seen as 
follows, viz: of 1,651 cows who had borne calf previously, and 
whose yield would therefore be known, 276 failed to give any milk 
after aborting; 278 were reported as unaffected in their yield; 
and of the remaining 1,097, in which a diminution in quantity was 
reported, 676 averaged a loss of 50 per cent, which may safely be 
assumed as the loss of the remaining 421, and the whole to be equal 
to the total loss of the yield of 822 cows. The difference in yield 
of milk on affected and non-affected farms is as follows (for Herki- 
mer county): The former reporting an average yield of 3,994 
pounds per cow, the latter 4,386 pounds per cow; and if it is con- 
sidered that the latter might be the yield were it not for the abor- 
tions, the loss experienced may be stated at 822 times 4,386, which 
is equal to 3,565,292 pounds of milk, or 356,529 pounds of cheese 
in this part of Herkimer county, excluding the loss from heifers 
not counted. The difference in yield of milk between affected and 
non-affected farms that has been shown in Herkimer county, exists 
also in Hardwick, where the average yield on the affected farms is 25 
4,260 pounds per cow, and on the non-affected farms it is 4,602 
pounds per cow; but in Barre the percentage of abortions being but 
four-fifths of one per cent, the difference is the other way, for the 
yield on the affected farms is 5,336 pounds per coav for 163 cows, 
and on. the non-affected it is 4,643 pounds per cow for 953 cows. 
Noav, in Barre, the number of aborting cows is but 11 on 10 farms, 
ivhich would be too slight a loss to affect the average per cow; 
and it is worthy of especial note that the first appearance of the 
disease here, should be upon farms, where the yield reported is so 
unusually large, and affords additional evidence to the opinion 
before expressed, that an excessive drain upon the milking capacity 
of a pregnant cow is injurious to the healthful performance of the 
reproductive process. 
To determine the changes that take place in the internal organs 
of a cow, at the time of aborting, Inspector R. F. Halsted, M. D., 
was instructed to procure and make a careful post mortem examina- 
tion of one within twenty-four hours after abortion had occurred. 
He was directed to select an uncomplicated case, so far as could be 
determined, but to observe carefully for any evidence of disease in 
any organs, especially the uterus and its appendages, and to forward 
specimens of the muscular coat of the uterus, of the cotyledons, 
(both foetal and maternal,) of the kidneys, liver, voluntary muscles, 
and of the blood, bile and urine, to the Commissioner without 
delay. Dr. Halsted made such an autopsy, on a coav belonging 
to Mr. James Blood, of Herkimer, and forAvarded the folloAvinir 
report: 
Herkimer, N. Y., November 28th, 1868. 
Dr. W. H. Carmalt, Commissioner, 8fc. : 
Doctor :— 
I have the honor to report, that I have this day made a post mortem exa- 
mination of a cow that had aborted about twenty-four hours previously. So 
far as I could learn or judge, the case was without complication. I found no trace 
of disease, or even temporary disturbance in any part except in the uterus, and 
there nothing except the disorganization of the cotyledons, of which the specimens 
sent you will give you a fair idea. This case differs from the one I examined last 
winter, only in this disorganization having reached a more advanced stage. The 
placenta was expelled only a short time before the cow was killed. Of the calf I 
know very little. It had been thrown with the manure into the barnyard, and 
was not in fit condition to form any judgment upon. 
Very respectfully, your obd’t serv’t, 
R. F. HALSTED, M. D., 
Inspector N. Y. S. Agricultural Society. 
Dr. Halsted authorizes the further statement, that the foetus Avas 
about four and a half months of age. 26 
The specimens forwarded were received in good order on the 
day following the autopsy, forty-eight hours after the abortion 
occurred, and were immediately placed in the hands of Prof. Jno. 
C. Dalton, for microscopical examination, who furnished the fol- 
lowing report: 
New York, November 20th, 1808. 
Dr. Wm. II. Carmalt: 
Dear Sir :— 
I received from you, to-day, for microscopic examination, specimens of the 
the blood, bile and urine of a cow killed after abortion, together with portions 
of the liver, kidney, muscular tissue, mucous membrane of the uterus, and mater- 
nal and foetal portions of the cotyledons. I have accordingly made the examina- 
tion, with the following results : 
The blood globules were natural in size, form, and other physical qualities. The 
blood contained no abnormal ingredients visible by the microscope. 
The bile was clear, showing no microscopic forms whatever. 
The urine was very nearly clear. Its scanty deposit contained only a few shreds 
of epithelium and mucus from the urinary bladder. 
In the liver the glandular cells were of natural size, well defined, granular, and 
without any unnatural deposit of fat. 
The kidney was examined both in its cortical and medullary portions. The 
uriniferous tubules, blood vessels, and Malpighian bodies were natural in appearance. 
The mucous membrane of the uterus exhibited upon its surface columnar epithe- 
lium cells, and many detached nuclei. There was nothing abnormal seen in its 
structure. 
The foetal portion of the cotyledons was well injected with hlood in its deeper 
parts, but pallid, very soft, and of a light opaque yellowish color on the surface. 
The cells of the foetal tufts were very granular, and showed an abundant deposit 
of minute fat-globules. 
The maternal portion of the cotyledons was more uniformly filled with blood, 
and in one spot very strongly injected; but its tissue, nevertheless, showed dis- 
tinct evidence of fatty degeneration, similar to that of the foetal portion, and even 
more abundant. Otherwise the cotyledons were natural. 
In every instance, I examined thoroughly for any appearance of cryptogamoms 
spores, or other form of microscopic vegetation, but without discovering them in 
either of the specimens. Yours, very respectfully, 
J. C. DALTON. 
There is, then, no evidence of any active disease in operation on 
the part of the dam, as shown by the careful post mortem and 
microscopical examination of every organ in the body having a 
probable influence to produce this disease. 
What is the evidence of disease on the part of the foetus ? Of 
4,163 abortions reported in 1867 and 1868, in 3,597, or 86 per 
cent, the foetus was reported dead, or diseased looking. 
There have been but few opportunities offered to the Inspectors, 
in which to make actual examinations of the foetus as expelled, but 27 
their limited investigations, and the general observations of farmers, 
unite in describing nothing inflammatory, or otherwise abnormal in 
the external appearance of the foetus;—but it is usually dead. 
The microscopical report by Dr. Dalton states that there was 
evidence of an abundant fatty degeneration of both foetal and 
maternal cotyledons, but that they were otherwise natural. As a 
fatty degeneration is the natural change occurring in the placenta, 
after cessation of the circulation, the inference is plain that circu- 
lation had stopped before the abortion took place;—for the changes 
noted could not have occurred in the twenty-four hours between 
the abortion and the time the autopsy was made, but they had 
probably been going on for some days previously. 
If the fact be established, that the uterus and its appendages, and 
the foetus and its products, are both healthy, the natural changes 
incident to a stoppage of circulation being all that occurs, an 
important point is arrived at. And aside from the absence of any 
traces of preexisting disease, to be detected by the microscope, 
symptoms are wanting on the part of the cow to point to anything 
other than an approaching labor, the evidences of which are, per- 
haps, unusually marked. 
The introduction of a deleterious substance into the food, to 
affect so large a number of cows, with such uniformity of action, 
over a large extent of country, besides being in the first place 
improbable, in the second place has been investigated sufficiently 
to show that no article, or even variety of articles, occur having 
properties that would produce these extensive effects. 
The existence of microscopic vegetations, or animalculse, in the 
tissues of the cow, has been disproved by the microscopical exami- 
nation by Dr. Dalton of almost every solid organ, and of all the 
important fluids. 
It is very difficult, and in this investigation unnecessary, to draw 
an absolute line between forces operating upon bodies so intimately 
applied, as the foetus and its dam; or to say that in one case the 
foetus is primarily affected, and in the other it is the dam. In 
either case, after the death of the foetus occurred, the changes 
referred to in the microscopical examination would follow, and by 
the amount of fatty degeneration, an estimate may be formed, as to 
whether the foetus has been dead for some time or not. 
The microscopical examinations in the cases examined each year, 
indicate that this fatty degeneration had progressed sufficiently, to 
warrant the belief that the foetus had been dead some clays. 28 
To what source, then, must we look for the causes to produce 
the death of the fcetus-in-utero, after excluding those already 
referred to ? It plainly cannot be external violence in all the cases 
over so wide an extent of country. 
Is it mal-nutrition? the blood of the dam or sire being impure:— 
The evidence is all to the contrary ; the cows are well nourished, 
so far as can be judged from external appearances by persons 
accustomed to this method of examination, and those skilled in 
pathological investigation agree that there are no preexisting abnor- 
mal appearances in the internal organs. The bulls are healthy, 
with the exception of a few instances in which the trouble is 
entirely local; and as has already been said, the descriptions 
received from farmers almost uniformly state that there is no 
appeal ance of disease in the external aspect of the foetus. 
If, then, there is no fault in the quality of the nutritive materials 
furnished to the foetus, does it receive a sufficient supply during 
the whole period of utero-gestation? 
It has already been pointed out that the average yield of milk 
of all the cows in the State is 2,571 pounds per cow, while the 
average yield of cows on the non-affected farms examined in Herki- 
mer county this year, is 4,386 pounds per cow, an excess of 70 
per cent more milk than the average natural yield of cows, sub- 
jected to the same circumstances in other respects, than those 
herein referred to. That this excess is supplied at the expense of 
the foetus, is respectfully submitted; but in order to show how, the 
more important particulars of the reproductive process should bo 
fully understood, and a brief description is therefore introduced. 
The essential features iu the generative function are, in all cases, 
the formation of a germ, which, living for a certain period at the 
expense of the parent, is afterwards detached therefrom, and takes 
on a separate existence. The forms under which this series of 
phenomena occur, are as various as there are species of animals 
and plants; but it is absolutely necessary, for its proper perform- 
ance, that each step of the process should be performed, and in 
itself complete, before the next takes place. 
That the performance of this function makes great demands upon 
the nutrition of the parent, is of such common knowledge that it 
is only necessary, here, to refer to the length of time expended in 
the preparation of the body of the parent, for its own maturity, 
before the function is called into action; in other words, until it 
shall be capable of bearing young. 29 
When the germ is not formed from the parent stock, the condi- 
tion is that of barrenness or sterility. 
If the parent is unable, from any cause, to furnish the proper 
materials for the maintenance of the germ, after fecundation, during 
the second of the reproductive processes, or that of development; or 
if, for any reason, either external or internal, the process of fur- 
nishing the supply is interfered with, this development is arrested. 
This arrest may be complete or partial; if complete, the germ dies, 
it is cast off as a foreign substance, and an abortion is said to 
occur; if the arrest is partial, a so-called deformity of some part is 
the usual consequence. . 
The methods by which the germ is nourished after conception, 
and before its birth, differ widely in different species of animals. 
The oviparous animals casting off the germ with its supply of nour- 
ishment, together, as an egg, to depend, perhaps, upon other exter- 
nal sources to furnish the conditions necessary to its development; 
the so-called parent not necessarily supplying any of the nutritive 
material. The viviparous animals retain the germ, attached to the 
parent, during the second period of its development, and until it is 
able to take on an independent existence. This connection in the 
truly viviparous animals is most intimate, the foetus depending 
entirely upon the parent for its nutritive supply; and, as it increases 
in size and multiplicity of parts, making continuously greater 
demands for the materials necessary to its growth; which in all 
cases are furnished more or less directly from the blood of the dam. 
Further differences exist even among viviparous animals in the 
arrangement of the parts concerned in the reproductive apparatus; 
and one very large class, the mammalia, is characterized by the 
presence of an organ—the udder or mammary gland—whose pri- 
mary and natural function, is to secrete a fluid for the nourishment 
of the young, immediately, and for a future variable period, after 
birth; which fluid is also drived from the blood of the parent. 
The uterus and mammary gland bear a certain inverse relation- 
ship to each other, with regard to their activity in function; the 
one, in the natural condition, being comparatively quiescent when 
the other is active. In this condition, during the development of 
the embryo—in other words, the pregnancy of the dam—the 
uterine organs are in a state of extreme activity, all other parts of 
the animal economy tending to the proper performance of this 
function; and the mammary gland, though showing evidences of 
being influenced by this process, is, in the earlier stages, inactive. 30 
But as pregnancy advances to its natural termination, and prepara- 
tions arc being made for the change that is about to occur, the 
most marked of these, is the increase in the activity of the mammary 
gland, which either just before or very soon after delivery secretes 
the milk designed to be the food of the young animal, whenever 
the more intimate placental connection is severed. The young 
animal, after birth, at first depends upon the milk entirely for its 
nourishment, and the supply of blood, before furnished to the pla 
centa, is now directed to the mammary gland. But as the growth 
of the young animal enables it to look elsewhere for food, it makes 
less demand upon the dam; the supply of milk diminishes in quail- 
tity, and the uterine organs, having had opportunity to return to 
their previous condition, are again stimulated to the performance 
of their natural function; and when pregnancy again occurs, the 
blood is redirected to the uterus, and the mammary glands diminish 
in activity, soon become quiescent, and the same series of pheno- 
mena are again repeated. 
In this hasty sketch of the main points in the history of the 
reproductive process, as it occurs naturally, uninterfered with by 
habits of domestication, your attention is called to the inverse 
relationship between the activity of the uterine organs and the 
mammary glands. By means of the first of these, the young 
animal is nourished during the period of its development, and by 
the second, during the period of its early growth. 
The animal economy does not, as a rule, allow both of these 
processes to go on for a length of time together—it cannot support 
both at the same time. The instances in nature in which the dam 
at once suckles one offspring and carries another, are rare. The 
reproductive process is a great demand upon the parent. Nature 
requires a long period for its preparation, has made certain laws 
for its government while it is going on, and after a certain period 
has been devoted to its performance, regulates its cessation. A 
constant violation of any of its more important laws, must bring 
about a failure somewhere in its proper performance. 
The size and functional activity of the mammary gland differs 
much in different species of animals, and may be very decidedly 
influenced, even in the same species, by a difference in circumstances 
and treatment; and it is further possible, by a long continued 
system of breeding, carefully 'regulated by laws that have been 
found to peipetuate differences in breeds, to increase permanently 
the capacity to produce more than the previous natural quantity 31 
of milk; and it is by recognizing and acting upon these laws, that 
the different breeds of the domestic cow have been established, and 
her present milk-producing capacity reached. But it is necessary 
that the process should be a gradual one, brought about by the 
continued repetition for generations, of the union of two animals 
of opposite sexes, having the same tendency as regards this func- 
tion;—the bull, as shown by his descent, from a line of good milkers, 
the cow, by her own capacity and similar descent. If, however, 
instead of following these rules, the attempt is made to get a large 
increase at once, first, by forcing the uterine reproductive apparatus 
into activity before the animal has arrived at full maturity, and 
afterwards by continuing the drain upon the mammary secretion at 
the same time that a second foetus is demanding its supply by the 
placenta—by the first practice the uterine reproductive apparatus is 
weakened, and a liability to abortion established; and by the second, 
the natural supply of blood, which should go during pregnancy to 
the uterus to nourish the foetus, is continued to be drawn in the other 
direction towards the mammary gland, arrest of development from 
inanition is endangered, and when it occurs, the foetus is expelled as 
a foreign body. 
Now, it is respectfully submitted, that the reports to this Com- 
mission from the dairy districts of New York, and to a more lim- 
ited extent those of Massachutetts, during the last two years, show 
an habitual violation of both the laws governing the time at which 
the reproductive process should begin, and those regulating the 
nourishment of the foetus-in-utero. 
In the first place, in the year 1867, from the reports of 1,453 
farms, it appears that on 1,047, or 72 per cent of farms, the habit 
is to impregnate the heifers at from one to one and a half years of 
age. The reports of this year state that out of 11,549 cows raised 
by the farmers reporting them, 9,591, or 83 per cent of cows, first 
calved at under three years of age. 
If an animal be allowed to bear young much before it has arrived 
at maturity, the process of reproduction, being essentially antago- 
nistic to that of nutrition, must interfere to a greater or less degree 
with its full growth, which of course depends upon its nutrition. 
An animal cannot be said to have arrived at maturity, simply 
because it is able to be fecundated; the phenomenon of ovulation, 
or heat, is but a part of the reproductive process; for the successful 
carrying out of the whole, the rest of the animal system should 
have acquired strength of constitution and vigor, sufficient to bear 32 
the tax of having a part of its nutritive materials taken by the 
foetus, and this requires that nearly the full growth of its organs 
should be attained. 
Now, a heifer at two years is not fully’' grown, and yet it is shown 
that 83 per cent of those raised, in the districts where abortions 
prevail, have been, for from the six to nine months preceding this 
age, subjected to a process in opposition to that of growth. And 
although it cannot be said that any one heifer, impregnated with a 
view to have her calve at two years old, will not carry to term, 
there is danger that the effect may, by reason of the strain upon 
the constitution thus produced, be felt in the subsequent pregnan- 
cies; and a table previously given shows, that while live per cent 
of those which first calved under three years of age aborted, in 
some of the subsequent pregnancies, the abortions among those 
which first calved at three years old or over, was but three per 
cent. 
In the second place, the amount of milk demanded per cow, in 
the districts examined this year, as has been shown, is 70 per cent 
greater than the amount determined, by the yield of 1,195,000 
cows, to be the natural yield. It is respectfully submitted, that 
this constitutes a violation of the rule that an animal but very 
seldom naturally suckles one offspring at the same time she is preg- 
nant with another; in other words, that the milk-secretine: organs 
shall be in a condition of comparative quiescence during the period 
of gestation. 
Now, the excessive yield here indicated, is brought about, by 
first getting all the milk possible during the height of the sear 
son, and secondly, by continuing the process as long as possible— 
as long as the mammary gland can, by any means, be stimulated to 
activity—and yet, during the latter part of this time, the cow is 
pregnant; the foetus is demanding an unusual supply of blood to 
the placenta for its nourishment, and the farmer is demanding a 
supply to the mammary gland for milk, forgetful entirely, appa- 
rently, that the original design of the whole reproductive apparatus 
is to perpetuate the species;—not to get milk simply. Under the 
circumstances of this drain, either the cow must refuse to give the 
milk, and be dried off, or the development of the foetus, which is 
now the lowest in order of vitality, is checked from lack of nour- 
ishment. In a certain number of cases the latter occurs, and an 
abortion is the result. 
In further confirmation of this view, of the arrest of development 33 
from lack of nourishment, attention is called to the table indicating 
the period of pregnancy at which abortions most frequently occur, 
and it will be seen that of 1,320 abortions, 939, or 71 per cent, 
occur during the last three months of utero-gestation, at the time 
the foetus must be considered as making the greatest demand upon 
the dam for its nutrition; and yet, the reports of 1867 indicate a 
habit of milking the cows to as late a period of pregnancy as they 
will give milk. The expressions not infrequently occurred in reply 
to the question: What month of pregnancy are the cows dried off 
from milking? “As long as it will pay.” “I milk for a pint.” 
“ As long as possible.” And in but few instances, were farmers 
able to give reliable answers as to the exact period of pregnancy 
at which any individual cows were dried off. Further evidence on 
this point would be desirable, but the report of every Inspector, 
derived from the general statements of farmers, has been, that the 
habit almost universally exists of milking the cows to the last 
paying drop. 
Besides the arrest of development from inanition, thus brought 
about, the persistent dragging at the mammary gland for milk, 
during the later months of pregnancy, is a source of irritation to 
the uterus, by reason of the intimate physiological connection 
between these organs, and tends very materially to excite contrac- 
tions in the uterus. 
That irritation of this kind to the mammary gland in the preg- 
nant human female will occasion contractions in the uterus, and 
abortion, is well known to and practiced by physicians when that 
object is to be attained. And if, in the domestic cow, a liability 
to abortion by too early breeding is established, and a tendency to 
the arrest of foetal development endangered by inanition, it is not 
improbable that so constant an irritation as this will account for 
many cases of abortion. 
The rule in the human female is very positive against the two 
processes of lactation and pregnancy going on, for a length of time, 
together, and its continued violation is there followed by directly 
the consequences here complained of in the domestic cow. If, 
during lactation, pregnancy occurs, the former process must be 
stopped, or the mother is liable to a miscarriage; or, vice versa, if 
lactation is stopped, the phenomenon of ovulation, theretofore in 
abeyance, now begins again. And although it cannot be stated that 
in the cow, as also among other of the domestic animals, that these 
processes cannot go on safely for a limited period together, still, 34 
natural historians and physiologists, when speaking of the periods 
at which wild animals reproduce their young, assume the rule in 
general terms. For, they say, “ the duration of lactation being, in 
general, equal in duration to that of gestation,”* therefore, such or 
such an animal produces young once in so often, making the time, 
at least, double that of the known length of pregnancy. They also, 
however, state as a law, that habits of domestication tend to 
increase the power of reproduction within certain limits, both as 
regards frequency of occurrence, and the number produced at a 
birth, and so far, indirectly, acknowledge that a yield of milk in 
excess of that required by the animal, may be brought about by 
following correct principles in breeding. But we may also bo 
allowed to reason, that a sudden demand of 70 per cent more milk 
from one set of cows, over others of the same breeds, subjected in 
all other respects to the same care and treatment, is too great a 
variation from the natural law, to be permitted without a check 
somewhere;—and it is seen that where this excess is demanded 
abortions occur. 
The affirmative results obtained by the Commission, this year, 
may therefore be briefly stated as follows, viz: 
1st. That cows, which have first calved at under three years of 
age, are more liable to abort during their subsequent pregnancies, 
than those who first calved at three years of age or over, in the 
proportion of five to three; and that 83 per cent of the cows raised 
on the farms reporting them, do first calve at under three years 
of age. 
2d. That cows, subjected to removals at any time, are liable to 
abort, over those raised on the farms, in the proportion of 7 to 4£; 
and that 63 per cent are thus removed. 
3d. That cows, subjected to removals during pregnancy, are 
liable to abort, over those moved while not pregnant, in the pro- 
portion of nine to two; and that 70 per cent of those moved yearly 
are pregnant, and 17 per cent are moved yearly. 
4th. That arrest of development is the condition immediately 
preceding the abortion; that an excessive drain upon the secretion 
of milk, during pregnancy, has a tendency to produce arrest of 
development in the foetus, from inanition; and that an excess of 70 
per cent.of milk is demanded from the cows in this district where 
abortions prevail. 
• Flourens; Physiologie compar6e. Paris, 1856; pa. 32. 35 
Iii submitting these views for the consideration of the Society, 
it must be understood that no claim is made that these are all the 
causes that produce the abortions complained of, or that any one 
of them has by itself given rise to this trouble. The points desired 
to be shown are, that the practices of breeding from stock at the 
very early age indicated, and the exacting from the dam the 
excessive amount of milk shown to be drawn, have each injurious 
influences upon the reproductive process, tending to produce abor- 
tions; and that, acting together, they in many eases do produce this 
result. And if it be allowed that these practices are markedly 
prejudicial, then various extraneous circumstances, impracticable to 
enumerate, which, under other conditions, would have little or no 
effect, now exert an active influence to bring about the disease. 
To so general an extent do these practices prevail, that it has 
been found practically impossible, to separate the farms in which 
they exist from those that do not; for some farmers breed one part 
of their heifers at two years old, and another part at three years 
old, and the farm must thus be included in both classes. And the 
irregularities heretofore referred to, with regard to the appearance 
or disappearance of the disease in towns, or farms, or cows, may 
be accounted for, in part, by the changes made in the herds between 
different farms. 
The Commission endeavored to obtain information with regard 
to the first appearance of the disease on each farm, with a view to 
determine, if possible, the primary influences affecting the cows 
first aborting; but in Herkimer county the disease has been of so 
long standing; changes among the cows are so constantly made, as 
also to less extent among the occupants of farms, that it was found 
impossible to derive much information upon this point there. In 
the town of Hardwick, Massachusetts, however, more definite 
answers could be obtained. The disease has existed there but a 
short time; the dairies are smaller; so many changes among the 
stock have not occurred, and the disease was therefore more easily 
traced. The replies are tabulated as follows: 
Of all the farms reporting abortions upon them in this or previous 
years : 
1st. Number in which the first appearance could be traced directly 
to the introduction of animals (bulls, cows, or heifers in 
calf) from an aborting dairy 14 
2d. Occurred in cows introduced that year from a non-aborting 
dairy 1 36 
3d. Occurred in cows which had been on the farm one year or more, 
and had not, so far as known, been brought in contact with 
an aborting dairy 11 
4th. Occurred in cows whose previous history was unknown 5 
Total 31 
The largest proportion of farms, it will bo noticed above, is of 
those which report the access of the disease, as coincident with the 
introduction of animals from an infected dairy; but the next largest 
is the one in which the cows had been on the farm for one year or 
more, and were not brought in contact with an aborting dairy; and 
the difference between these two, directly antagonistic, classes is, in 
this town, too slight to consider, that the disease is any more liable 
to be first introduced from a source foreign to the farm, than it is 
to occur thereon spontaneously. 
With regard to whether a so-called sympathetic influence could 
have an effect upon the disease, the only manner in which an 
inquiry could be brought to bear was, to get evidence as to 
whether the sight, smell or other knowledge of an aborted foetus 
or its products exerted any influence upon an apparently healthy 
pregnant cow; but as no farmer, among those reporting abortions 
in this or previous years, acknowledged having taken any especial 
care to remove the foetal products, except in a very few instances 
“to throw it over the fence, out of the barnyard;” and as the 
aborting cows were not even then separated from the rest of the 
herd, no decision could be arrived at on this point. 
The expenses of the Commission have been as follows: 
Salaries of Inspectors $1,210 00 
Current expenses of Inspectors.. 920 15 
Salaries of Assistant Inspectors '. 600 00 
Current expenses of Assistant Inspectors 630 93 
Salary of acting Assis’t Inspector, 23 days, at $100 per mo.. 77 00 
Cow for autopsy 14 28 
Mounting plants, &c 30 82 
Stationery 6 97 
Printing 48 00 
Maps, &c 20 61 
Express and postage 14 30 
Traveling expenses of Commissioner 37 52 
Salary of Commissioner 1,000 00 
Total $4,610 58 37 
The Commission is under especial obligation to Inspector R. 
F. Halsted, M. D., for the unusual care always taken to obtain 
accurate information, as well as for the interest displayed in the 
investigation throughout. Both he, and the Assistant Inspectors, 
Drs. Benjamin R. Swan, Daniel W. Kissam and N. A. Lindley, 
worked assiduously while on duty, and their labors were in many 
respects fatiguing. 
Acknowledgments for the microscopical examination and report 
are also due to Prof. John C. Dalton; and also to Messrs. Charles 
J. Sprague and John L. Russell, of Massachusetts, for the classi- 
fication and report on fungi. 
Respectfully submitted; 
W. H. CARMALT, M. D., 
Commissioner. ( A.. ) 
REPORT OF THE 
Farm cultivated, by Mr 
In the Town of. 
.County of1 
State of1 
Number of Calves born alive at full term, from April 1, 1867, 
to April 1, 1868 
Number of Abortions occurring from April 1, 1867, to April 
1, 1868 
Total number of Cows in calf from April 1, ’67, to April 1, ’68 
Number of Abortions occurring in the— 
1st Month of Pregnancy. 
2d Month of Pregnancy. 
3d Month of Pregnancy. 
4th Month of Pregnancy. 
5th Month of Pregnancy. 
6th Month of Pregnancy. 
7th Month of Pregnancy. 
8th Month of Pregnancy. 
9th Month of Pregnancy. 
Total. 
April.... 
May 
June ...., 
July 
August .., 
September. 
October... 
Number of Abortions occurring in the Month of— 
November 
December 
January. . 
February. 
March ... 
Total 
Number of aborted Calves born dead or diseased-looking 
Number of aborted Calves born alive and healthy-looking, 
according to age 
Total 40 
NUMBER OF COWS IMPREGNATED BY 
Bull Aged 
1 Year. 
Bull Aged 
2 Years. 
Bull Aged 3 
Yrs- or over. 
Total. 
That carried Calf to full term 
That aborted 
How many Cows in all were served during the year 1867-8, by 
Bull aged 1 year? 
How many Cows in all were served during the year 1867-8, by 
Bull aged 2 years ? 
How many Cows in all were served during the year 1867-8, by 
Bull aged 8 years or over ? 
NUMBER OF COWS THAT WERE 
Good Milkers. 
Averaging more 
than 7 quarts 
per day. 
Ordinary Milk’s. 
Averaging less 
than 7 quarts per 
day. 
First 
Pregnancy. 
Total. 
That carried Calf to full term 
Op those Cows that 
Aborted, 
In how many did the yield 
of milk entirely fail ?.... 
•In how many did tfie yield 
of milk diminish in quan- 
• 
In how many was the yield 
Total 
* In what proportion to their 
usual yield ? 
Number that were sick immediately before, during, or after 
abortion 
Number that were not sick immediately before, during, or after 
abortion 
Total 
What symptoms does the Cow exhibit when sick, before, during or after 
abortion; as to appetite, emaciation, stupor or restlessness, unnatural 
discharges, or other particulars ? 41 
OF ALL THE COWS ON THIS FARM IN THE YEAR 1867-8 
That carried Calf 
to Full Term. 
That Aborted. 
I 
Total. 
Number of cases of first preg- 
Number that had borne calf at 
full term the previous year.. 
Number that had aborted the 
Number raised on this farm.. 
Number brought on as unim- 
Number brought on pregnant 
Number brought on not preg- 
nant during the past year... 
Number that have been on this 
• 
OF ALL THOSK RAISED ON THIS FARM 
FROM HEIFERS. 
How many first calved under 
How many first calved at 3 years 
What was the average quantity of milk sold from this farm, per cow, in 
the year 1867-8 ? gallons. 
What was the average amount of butter made on this farm, per cow, in 
the year 1867-8 ? pounds. 
What was the average amount of cheese made on this farm, per cow, in 
the year 1867-8 ? pounds. 
Upon what kinds of hay are the cows fed ? 
Was the hay well cured and sweet? 
What root crops are given, and how much to each cow ? Turnips 
carrots beets parsnips potatoes. 
What ground feed, and how much to each cow ? Oats rye 
buckwheat barley wheat-bran. 
Is the grain used for ground feed raised on the farm or purchased ? If 
so, where ? 42 
Investigate and report upon the following points: 
1st. The manner of the first appearance of the disease on this farm. 
2d. What evidence there may be that the sight, smell or other know- 
ledge of an aborted foetus, or its products, will cause an apparently healthy 
pregnant cow to abort. 
3d. Any other actual facts that go towards accounting for the occurrence 
and spread of this disease upon this farm. 43 
[Specimens of the Numbered plants are in the Rooms of the Agricultural Society. Specimens of those designated by an Asterisk (*) were not preserved.] 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Ranunculacece. 
“Crowfoot Family.” 
Common Virgin’s-bower .. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Jacob Walrath, Fr. Lewis, 
H. Haupt, S. G. Spoor, L. 
Green, J. E. Fox, P. Baum, 
N. N. Schuyler, A. Jones, 
A. Decker, E. Decker, Ed. 
Simms, Jno. Snell, G. Spoor, 
A. Miller. 
On all farms. 
L. Green, Jno. Smith. 
In all woods. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Jones. 
Near Fink’s basin. 
H. N. Gros (scarce), L. Green 
(abundant). 
W. R. Stevens. 
H. N. Gros. 
Pennsylvania Anemone... 
Sharp-lobed Hepatica.... 
Probably general but scarce. 
Small flowered Crowfoot .. 
G. F. Bellinger. 
On all farms. 
On all farms (banks of ravines). 
On all farms (banks of ravines). 
In most forests. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
Tall Crowfoot, Buttercup.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
9. Actea spicata.—L. 
10. Actea alba.—Bigelow 
*Magnoliacece. 
White Bane berry, Cohosh. 
“MagnoliaFamily.” 
Thickets and woods 
General and common 
Menispermacece. 
11. Menispermum Canadense.—L 
“Moon-seed Family.” 
Canadian Moon-seed 
Fence-rows 
Probably general but scarce. 
KEPORT ON PLANTS GROWING SPONTANEOUSLY IN DANUBE. 
(B.) 44 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Berberidacece. 
12. Caulophyllum thalictroides.—Michx. 
13. Podophyllum peltatum.—L 
*Papavaracets. 
**Barberry Family 
Papoose-root 
May Apple, Mandrake.... 
“Poppy Family.” 
Woods 
• 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
General and common 
General and common 
W. R. Stevens, S. G. Spoor 
(Van Allen ten’t), A. J. & 
S. Stafford. 
A. Devendorf. 
Not noted as to locality. 
G. Bellinger. 
•Fumariacece. 
•Dieentra Canadensis.—D. C 
Crucifer or. 
“Fumitory Family 
Sqirrel Corn 
t(Muetard Family.** 
Woods 
Probably general but scarce. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
W. R. Stevens. 
Common Winter Cress, 
Yellow Rocket. 
Hedge mustard 
Black mustard 
Field Mustard, Charlock.. 
Shepherd’s Purse 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
Yards 
Yards and gardens 
Grain-fields 
Yards and gardens 
•Sisymbrium officinale.—Scop 
•Sinipsis (Brassica) nigra.—L 
16. Sinipis (Brassica) arvensis.—L 
17. Capsella Bursa-pasturis.—Moench... 
Probably general but scarce. 
General and common 
General, often abundant.... 
General and common 
W. R. Stevens, H. N. Gros. 
W. R. Stevens, H. N. Gros. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Levi Walrath (1st). 
W. R. Stevens, H. N. Gros. 
Violacem. 
“Violet Family.” 
19. Viola cuculata.—Ait. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
dorf. 
dorf. 
B—Continued. 45 
Hypericacece. 
“St. John’s Wort Family.” 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
E. Coville’s pastures (abun- 
dantly). 
W. R. Stevens, Jacob Shall. 
Ed. Simms, H. N. Gros. 
On all farms, W. R. Stevens 
(abundant). 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens (abundant). 
On all farms. 
On all farms, J. H. Stauring 
(abundant). 
On most farms. 
W. R. Stevens, H. N. Gros. 
On most farms. 
Near Castle Church. 
In all woods. 
J. H. Stauring, J. Ostrander 
and Jno. Walrath’s (abun- 
dant in each). 
W. R. Stevens. 
In all woods. 
Ed. Simms, A. Jones. 
S. P. Jones. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
S. G. Spoor, H. Haupt, 
Ed. Simms, A. Jones, G. 
Bellinger. 
On all farms. 
Carophyllaceae. 
“Pink Family.” 
Common or Soap Wort, 
Bouncing Bet. 
Night-flowering Catch-fly. 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
Long-stalked Stitch-wort. 
Large mouse-eared Chick- 
weed. 
Meadows,pastures,grain- 
fields and woods. 
General, variable in fre- 
quency. 
* P ortulacacece. 
“Purselane Family.” 
Malvaceae. 
“Mallow Family.” 
Tiliaceae. 
“Linden Family.” 
Linacece. 
,(Flax Family.” 
Geraniaceee. 
“Geranium Family.” 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Probably general but scarce. 
Spotted Touch-me-not.... 
Pastures and woods .... 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
General and usuallv abnn- 
dant. 46 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Anacardiacece. 
“Cashew Family 
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak... 
“Vine Family.” 
Winter or Frost Grape.... 
N. N. Schuyler. 
Vitacecc. 
40. Ampelopsis quinquefolia.—Michx ... 
•Celastracea. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, 
Ed. Simms, G. Bellinger, 
D. Bellinger, Jos. Snell, 
G. Spoor, J. J. Rickardt, 
A. Miller. 
“Staff-Tree Family.” 
Climbing Bitter-sweet.... 
“Soap-berry Family.” 
N. N. Schuyler, A. Jones, 
A. & P. Cramer, H. N. Gros. 
Sapindacete. 
rath, N. N. Schuyler. 
43. Acersaccharinum,var.nigrum.-Wang 
Mrs.Devendorf (Brigg’s ten’t). 
*Polygalacea. 
“Milk-wort Family.” 
W. R. Stevens. 
Leguminosa. 
“Pulse Family.” 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
Meadows 
from one-quarter to one- 
third of all hay and pas- 
tures. 
On all farms. 
46. Trifolium Agrarium.—L 
Yellow or Hop Clover 
from one-fifth to one-quar- 
ter of all pastures, and a 
large proportion of the hay. 
Rare 
Ar. Jones. 
B—Continued. 47 
47. Meliotus officinalis.— Willd 
Yellow Meliot 
Waste places 
Bare 
L. Green, H. N. Gros, Ar. 
Jones (near canal in each). 
Along creek from Newville to 
Castle Church. 
Abundant on W. R. Stevens 
Black Medick, Non-such.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. ' 
• 
and A. Devendorf; common 
on Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, 
H. Green, J. E. Fox (Smith 
ten’t), P. Baum, N. N. 
Schuyler, A. Jones, A. Deo- 
ker, R. Landt, Ed. Simms, 
S. P. Jones, E. Decker, 
H. N. Gros, L. Green. 
Meadows and thickets.. 
Meadows, pastures and 
grain-fields. 
Snell. 
Common Vetch or Tare.... 
Abundant in newly seeded 
meadows of A. J. & S. Staf- 
ford, H. Peterie, Jos. Snell, 
N. N. Schuyler, A. Fox, 
Mrs. Walrath, Jno. Shall, 
J. J. Shall, Ar. Jones. 
Rosacea. 
“Rose Family.” 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
S. G. Spoor, Fr. Lewis, H. 
Haupt. 
S. G. Spoor, Jno. Smith. 
W. R. Stevens, S. G. Spoor, 
Fr. Lewis, H. Haupt. 
L. Green. 
Water or purple Avens.... 
60. Waldsteinia fragarioides.—Tratt.... 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
S, G. Spoor, H. Haupt. 
63. Fragaria Yirginiana.—Ehrhart 
Wild Strawberry 
Woods .... 
General and common 
dorf. 
In ail woods. 48 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Rosacea—Continued. 
(iRose Family”—Con- 
tinued. 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
In all woods. 
H. Haupt. 
Purple - flowering Rasp- 
berry. 
Fence-rows and banks.. 
Fence-rows and thickets. 
Fence-rows and thickets. 
Fence-rows and thickets. 
Fence-rows and thickets. 
Fence-rows and thickets. 
Fence-rows and thickets. 
Fence -rows and thick ets. 
L. Green. 
On all farms. 
Common or high Black- 
berry. 
Scarlet-fruited Thorn .... 
W. R. Stevens. 
Saxigrafaeea. 
“Saxifrage Family.” 
Jacob Walrath. 
A. J. & S. Stafford, L. Green. 
•Chrysoplenium Americanum.—Schw. 
Crassulacea. 
“Orpine Family.” 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Hamamelacea. 
“Witch Hazel Family.” 
Jones. 
Onagracea. 
uEveningPrimrose Family” 
Enchanter’s Night-shade. 
Enchanter's Night-shade. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Common evening Primrose. 
General but scarce 
On all farms. 
B—Continued. 49 
Meadows and pastures.. 
N. Stafford (abundant), E. 
Decker. 
Fr. Lewis. 
Probably general but scarce. 
Umbelliferce. 
“Parsley Family.” 
J. Gardinier. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens, A.Devendorf, 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Jacob Walrath. 
Abundant on H. N. Gros, Mrs. 
Walrath, J. E. Fox (Smith 
ten’t), Jno. Shall, L. Green, 
H. Bellinger. 
L. Green. 
In all woods. 
In all woods (H. N. Gros 
abundantly). 
In all woods. 
Araliaceoe. 
“Ginseng Family.” 
In all woods. 
In all woods. 
Cornacece. 
“Dog-wood, Family.” 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens. 
Probably general but scarce. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
E. Decker, G. Bellinger, 
L. Green, D. Bellinger. 
L. Green. 
Probably general but scarce. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, W. Jones. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Caprifoliacece. 
“Honeysuckle Family.” 
H. N. Gros. 
W. R. Stevens. 
Meadows, pastures and 
fence-rows. 
On all farms. 
Ed. Simms. 
Sweet Viburnum, Sheep 
W. R. Stevens. 
100. Viburnum acerifolium.—L 
berry. 
Maple-leaved Arrow-wood 
Woods 
General but scarce 
Fr. Lewis, N. N. Schuyler. 50 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
/ 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Caprifoliacece—Continued. 
“Honeysuckle Family”— 
Continued. 
Hobble-bush, Am. Way- 
faring Tree. 
“Madder Family.” 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, Edward Simms, W. 
Jones, C. Andrews, J. Hen- 
dricks, S. G. Spoor (Van 
Allen ten’t), A. Decker. 
W. R. Stevens. 
Rubiacece. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
L. Green. 
Fr. Lewis, J. E. Fox. 
Sweet-scented Bed-straw. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Deven- 
dorf, Jacob Walrath, H. N. 
Gros. 
Jos. Snell, H. N. Gros. 
Dipsacece. 
“Teasel Family.»» 
Composite. 
“Composite Family.»» 
111. Eupatorium perfoliatum.—L 
Thorough Wort, Bone-set. 
Wet places 
General and common 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, J. E. Fox (Smith 
ten’t), D. Champion. 
On all farms. 
Except W. R. Stevens, A. 
Devendorf, Jacob Walrath, 
H. N. Gros, L. Green. 
115. Aster macrophyllus.—L 
Woods 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
A. Miller, E. Decker, G. Bel- 
linger, H. Haupt, G. Spoor, 
S. G. Spoor, Edward Simms, 
J. J. Rickardt. 
B—Continued. 51 
General and common 
On all farms. 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
On all farms. 
Probably general and com- 
• mon. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
A. Miller, E. Decker, G. Bel- 
linger, H. Peterie, Jno. 
Snell. 
Fr. Lewis. 
E. Decker, G. Bellinger, H. 
Peterie, Jno. Snell. 
Horse-weed, Bitter-weed . 
Probably general but scarce. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis. 
Daisy Flea-bane, Sweet 
Scabious. 
Meadows and pastures .. 
Meadows and pastures .. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
Shaded ravines and woods 
Probably general but scarce. 
S. G. Spoor, N. N. Schuy- 
ler, A. Decker, R. Landt, 
S. G. Spoor (Van Allen 
ten’t). 
G. Spoor, W. & R. Jones. 
N. N. Schuyler. 
E. Coville. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
On all farms. 
E. Decker. 
On all farms except W. R. 
Stevens, A. Devendorf, S. 
G. Spoor (Van Allen ten’t), 
L. Green, J. Ostrander; 
abundant on Fr. Lewis, 
D. Bellinger, H. Peterie, 
Ackerman (Donovan ten’t), 
Jos. Snell, Jno. Snell, J. 
Walter. 
On all farms. 
Roman worm-wood, Hog- 
weed, Bitter-weed. 
Common Cockle-bur 
Roadsides, yards and 
grain-fields. 
Roadsides and yards.... 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Fr. Lewis, A. Miller. 
General but scarce 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
A. Jones. 
A. Schuyler. 
On all farms. 
Common Beggar’s ticks... 
Swamp Beggar’s Lice .... 
Meadows and pastures (in 
wet places). 
Wet places 
General and common.. ...... 
*Bidens connata.—Muhl 
Rare 
J Gardinier. 52 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Composite—Continued. 
♦Bidens chrysanthemoides.—Mich.r.. 
“Composite Family”— 
Continued. 
Bur-Marigold 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
On all farms. 
Roadsides and grain- 
fields. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
On all farms. 
Abundant on M. Wilkes, A. 
Miller. 
On all farms; abundant on 
M. Wilkes, E. Coville, D. 
Champion, L. Devendorf. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
Scarce on C. Hardee, J. H. 
129. Leucanthemum vulgare.—L 
133. Antennaria margaritacea.—R. Br.. 
134. Antennaria plantaginifolia.—Hook.. 
Pearly Everlasting 
Plantain-leaved Everlast- 
Pastures 
Pastures • 
General and abundant 
Probably general, but occurs 
•Erechthides hieracifolia.—Raf.... 
ing. 
only on poor ground. 
Stauring, J. Ostrander, 
W. A R. Jones; common on 
Jno. Snell, H. Peterie, Jos. 
Snell, G. Spoor, J. J. Ric- 
kardt, Ackerman (Donovan 
ten’t), A. Miller; abundant 
in patches on E-. Decker, 
G. Bellinger, D. Bellinger. 
A. Decker. 
A. Decker. 
On all farms; abundant on 
Fr. Lewis, E. Coville. 
W. R. Stevens. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
E. Decker, A. J. A S. Staf- 
ford, G. Bellinger, D. Bel- 
linger. 
W. R. Stevens. 
H. Haupt, Ed. Simms. 
Meadows and pastures .. 
Meadows, pastures and 
grain-fields. 
142. Hieracium paniculatuin.—L 
Panicled Hawkweed 
W oods 
Rare 
B—Continued, 53 
Probably general but scarce. 
H. Haupt, S. P. Jones, A. 
Lettuce. 
Jones. 
ders, H. N. Gros, Jno. Shall. 
Spiny-leaved Sow Thistle. 
ders, Jno. Shall. 
Lobeliacce. 
“Lobelia Family.” 
Fink’s basin. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Ericaceae. 
“Heath Family.” 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
S. G. Spoor (Van Allen ten’t). 
* Acquifoliacece. 
“Holly Family.” 
Plantaginacece. 
“Plantain Family.” 
A. Jones (abundant). 
Primulacece. 
“Primrose Family.” 
Jones. 
H. N. Gros, L. Green; com- 
mon on Ar. Jones. 
Orobanchacece. 
“Broom Rape Family 
W. R. Stevens, N. N. Schuyler. 
In all woods under beech trees. 
Schrophulariacece. 
“Fig-wort Family.” 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
M. Wilkes, Fr. Lewis, Jacob 
Walrath, II. N. Groa. 54 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Schrophulariacea—Continued. 
“Fig-wort Family”— 
* 
Toad-flax, Ramstead, But- 
ter and Eggs. 
W. R. Stevens, D. Champion, 
J. H. Saunders, C. An- 
drews. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
Probably general but scarce. 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
S. G. Spoor, G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, S. P. Jones, J. J. 
Rickardt. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, A. Jones, H. Green, 
P. Baum, J. E. Fox (Smith 
ten’t), N. N. Schuyler. 
N. N. Schuyler. 
W. R. Stevens, J. J. Ric- 
Probably general but scarce. 
kardt, M. Wilkes. 
W. R. Stevens, M. Wilkes. 
Purslane Speedwell, Neck- 
weed. 
Common Lousewort, Wood 
Betony. 
W. R. Stevens. 
Probably general but soarce. 
Probably general but disap- 
pears early. 
General but scarce 
W. R. Stevens. 
•Melampyrum Americanum.—Michx 
Verbenacece. 
W. R. Steven-:. 
“Vervain Family.” 
V 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Pastures and roadsides.. 
1 
General and common 
Haupt, H. Green, P. Baum, 
A. Decker, R. Landt, Ed. 
Simms, E. Decker, G. Bel- 
linger, D. Bellinger, Jno. 
Snell, H. Peterie, Jos. Snell, 
G. Spoor, J. J. Rickardt, 
Ackerman (Donovan ten’t), 
H. N. Gros, A. Miller, L. 
Green, J. Ostrander. 
On all farms. 
Vervain. 
B—Continued. 55 
172. Phryma Leptostachya.—L 
Labiatece. 
“Mint Family.” 
Pastures 
General and probably com- 
mon. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
H. N. Gros, S. G. Spoor, 
Jacob Walrath, F. Lewis, 
H. Haupt. 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
S. G. Spoor, H. Haupt, 
M. Wilkes, A. Miller. 
(wet places). 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Probably general but scarce. 
Probably general but scarce. 
Spoor, H. Haupt,M.Wilkes, 
A. Miller, G. Spoor, H. Pe- 
terie, Jos. Snell. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
Rich-weed, Stone-root ... 
A. Decker, Jacob Shall. 
Fence-rows and yards .. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Pastures (wet places)... 
Fence-rows and yards .. 
Fence-rows and yards .. 
Meadows and pastures 
(along a brook). 
Mad-dog, Skull-cap. .... 
Common Hemp-nettle .... 
Ed. Simms, Fr. Lewis, S. G. 
Spoor, H, Haupt. 
Probably general but scarce. 
Borraginacece. 
“Borage Family.” 
H. N. Gros. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens, A.& P.Cramer. 
Mrs. Devendorf (Briggs ten’t). 
188. Echinospermum Lappula.—Lehm... 
Common Hound’s tongue.. 
Hydrophyllacea. 
“Water-leaf Family.” 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
Probably general but scarce. 
G. Spoor, N. N. Schuyler, A. 
Jones, A. Decker, Ed. Simms, 
S. P. Jones, E. Decker. 
H. Haupt, S. G. Spoor, 
Jacob Walrath, 11 N.Gros. 56 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Namo. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
•Convolvulacece. 
“Convolvulus Family.” 
Meadows, bogs and gar- 
dens. 
H. N. Gros, L. Gros (Ar. 
Jones, common). 
Solanacece. 
“Night-shade Family.” 
Common Night-shade .... 
“Fog Bane Family.” 
Apocynacece. 
W. R. Stevens, Jacob Wal- 
rath. 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Deven- 
dorf. 
Jacob Walrath, A. Devendorf, 
H. N. Gros. 
Asclepiadacea. 
“Milk-weed Family.” 
Meadows, pastures and 
grain-fields. 
196. Asclepias phytolaccoides.—Pursh .. 
Oleacece. 
“Olive Family 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
Aristolochiacece. 
“Birth-wort Family.” 
Probably general but scarce. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
S. G. Spoor, H. Haupt, 
Edw’d Simms, S. P. Jones. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Decker, 
Ed. Simms, A. Miller, W. 
& R. Jones. 
Phytolaccaccce. 
“Poke- Weed Family 
Chenopodiacece. 
Garget; Pigeon berry. 
“Goose-foot Family 
Pig-weed, Lamb’s quarters 
D. Bellinger. 
On all farms. 
Fr. Lewis. 
On all farms. 
Amarantacecv. 
“Amaranth Family.” 
Polygonacea. 
“Buckwheat Family.” 
•Polygonum Persicana.—L 
Lady’s Thumb 
Grain-fields 
General and common 
B—Continued. 57 
204. Polygonum Hydropiper.—L 
On all farms. 
A. Decker. 
Knot grass, Door-weed ... 
On all farms. 
207. Polygonum aviculare, 
var. erectum.—Roth. 
On all farms. 
Arrow-leaved Tear-thumb 
On all farms. 
G. Bellinger. 
On all farms. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
* Lauracw. 
,fLaurel Family.” 
Probably general but scarce. 
N. N. Schuyler. 
L. Green. 
Callitrichacece. 
“ Water Star-wort Fam.” 
L. Green. 
Euphorbiacece. 
f{Spurge Family.” 
Large spotted Spurge .... 
A. Jones, N. N. Schuyler, M. 
Wilkes, Fr. Lewis. 
A. Jones, Fr. Lewis. 
Pastures and grain-fields 
On all farms. 
Urticacew. 
“Nettle Family.” 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, H. 
Green, J. E. Fox, (Smith 
ten’t), E. Decker, John 
Smith, M. Wilkes. 
J. E. Fox, (Smith ten’t). 
In all woods. 
220. Laportea Canadensis.—Gaudich .... 
Shady wet places and 
woods. 
Roadsides and barnyards 
In all woods. 
J. E. Fox, near Newville 
Cheese Factory. 
W. R. Stevens. 
*Juglandace(E. 
“ Wa lnut Family.” 
Meadows, pastures and 
woods. 
Probably general but scarce. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
M. Wilkes, A. D. Hess, C. 
Andrews, Fr. Lewis. 58 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
*Juglandacece—Continued. 
“Walnut Family”—Con- 
tinued. 
Shell-bark or Shag-bark, 
Hickory. 
dorf, M. Wilkes (only on 
Bitter-nut or Swamp Hic- 
kory. 
“Oak Family.,> 
river road). 
W. R. Stevens, H. N. Gros 
Cupulifera. 
(only on river road). 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf 
(river road only). 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
A. Jones, N. N. Schuyler. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
•Fagus ferruginea.—A it 
•Ostrya Virginica.— Willd 
American Beech 
Am.Hop, Hornbeam, Iron- 
wood. 
Am. Hornbeam, Blue or 
Water Beech. 
“Birch Family.” 
Meadows,pastures,grain- 
fields and woods. 
Woods 
General and common 
General and common 
* Betulacece. 
On all farms. 
Salicacece. 
“Willoic Family.” 
Along streams and wet 
places. 
Along streams and wet 
places. 
Along streams and wet 
places. 
Along streams and wet 
places. 
On all farms. 
S. G. Spoor, L. Green. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Deven- 
Conifer a. 
“Pine Family.” 
dorf, Jacob Walrath. 
B—Continued. 59 
♦Abjes Canadensis.—Michx 
Hemlock Spruce 
Woods 
General and very common ,, 
In all woods. 
W. R. Stevens, H. N. Gros. 
231. Taxus baccata.—L. 
var. Canadensis.—Gray.... 
Aracece. 
Ground Hemlock, Ameri- 
can Yew. 
“Arum Family. '* 
Probably general but scarce. 
Probably general but scarce. 
G. Spoor, H. Haupt, E. 
Simms, S. P. Jones, Jos. 
Snell. 
Meadows, pastures and 
bogs. 
rath, H. N. Gros, A. Dev- 
endorf, Fr. Lewis, S. G. 
Spoor, A. Decker, Edward 
Simms, S. P. Jones, G. Bell- 
inger, D. Bellinger, Jos. 
Snell. 
Lemnace.cz. 
“Buck-Weed Family.” 
H. N. Gros, L. Green, Mrs. 
Rare 
Devendorf (Brigg’s ten’t), 
A. Decker; abundant on A. 
Devendorf. 
H. N. Gros, L. Green, Mrs. 
Typhacece. 
“Cat-Tail Family.” 
Devendorf (Brigg’s ten’t); 
abundant on A. Devendorf. 
(Briggs ten’t), Fr. Lewis, 
S. G. Spoor. 
Fox (Smith ten’t), Mrs. 
Devendorf (Briggs ten’t). 
H. N. Gros, A. Decker. 
Alismacece. 
“Water Plantain Family.” 
Ditches and wet places.. 
Ditches and wet places.. 
H. N. Gros. 
H. N. Gros. 
Orchidacece. 
“Orchis Family.” 
W. R. Stevens. 
Meadows 
Rare 
L. Green. 60 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Orchidacece—Continued. 
“Orchis Family”—Con- 
tinued. 
In all woods. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
Near Fink’s basin Cheese 
Factory. 
W. R. Sievens. 
W. R. Stevens. 
J. F. Bellinger. 
W. R. Stevens. 
Jacob Walrath, Fr. Lewis, 
S. G. Spoor, H. Haupt. 
H. N. Gros. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, Edward Simms, 
S. P. Jones. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
S. G. Spoor, H. Haupt. 
E. Decker, A. Decker. 
Fr Lewis. 
Pastures (wet places)... 
•Cypripediutn pubescens.— VVilld... 
Iridacece. 
240, Sisyrinchium Bermudiana.—L 
Large yellow Lady’s slipper 
“Iris Family. ” 
Smilacea. 
€tSmilax Family 
Liliacea. 
“Lily Family.” 
Probably general but scarce. 
Probably general but scarce. 
Large flowered Bellwort .. 
Sessile-leaved Bellwort... 
254. Polygonatum giganteum.—Diebrich. 
255. Smilacina racemosa.—Desf 
Woods 
Probably general but scarce. 
Probably general but scarce. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Deven- 
dorf, Fr. Lewis, H. Haupt, 
S. G. Spoor, Ed. Simms, 
E. Decker. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Fr. Lewis, H. Haupt, S. G. 
Spoor, Ed. Simms, E. Dec- 
ker, A. Jones, A. Decker. 
257. Lilium Philadelphicum.—L . 
258. Lilium Canadense.—L 
Wild yellow Lily 
Meadows 
Bare 
L. Green. 
B—Continued. 61 
Juncacecc. 
“Rush Family.” 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). • 
On all farms. 
L. Green, H. N. Gros. 
W. It. Stevens, near Fink’s 
Meadows and pastures.. 
basin. 
On all farms. 
Cypcracece. 
“Sedge Family.” 
Pastures (wet places)... 
Pastures (wet places)... 
Meadows, pastures and 
wet places. 
Meadows, pastures and 
wet places. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
Meadows and wet places. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and wet places. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Devendorf (Briggs ten’t). 
L. Green. 
A. J. & S. Stafford. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
Near Fink’s basin. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and woods .... 
Probably general but scarce. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Meadows,pastures, woods 
and bogs. 
L. Green, Jacob Walrath, 
H. N. Gros. 
L. Green. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
General but scarce 
On all farms. 
A. Devendorf. 
283. Carex straminea.—Schk. 
Jno. Smith. 
284. Carex straminea, var. tenera.—Boot 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Ed. Simms, A. J. & S. Staf- 
fora. 62 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Cyperacece—Continued. 
“Sedge Family”—Con- 
tinued. 
A. Devendorf, Jacob Walrath, 
L. Green, H. N. Gros. 
A. Devendorf. 
L. Green, H. N. Gros (com- 
mon on both). 
In all woods about Newville. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens, Jacob Walrath. 
Fr. Lewis, R. Landt, A. 
Decker. 
H. N. Gros, L. Green, W. R. 
Stevens, A. Devendorf, Fr. 
Lewis, H. Haupt, S. G. 
Spoor, J. E. Fox (Smith 
ten’t), D. Bellinger. 
On all farms. 
L. Green. 
L. Green. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens. 
On all farms. 
H. N. Gros. 
On all farms. 
A. Decker. 
E. Decker, N. N. Schuyler, 
Fr. Lewis. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
291. Carox laxiflora,vTar plantaginea.-.Boo£ 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Graminece. 
“Grass Family.” 
Ditches and wet places.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Fioren or White Bent grass 
304. Cinna arundinacea.—L. 
B—Continued. 63 
•Muhlenburgia diffusa.—Schrever .. 
Drop- seed, Nimble Will .. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
A. J. & S. Stafford. 
W. R. Stevens, H. Green. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Fr. Lewis. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
A. Decker. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
Near Fink’s basin. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens. 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens, Jacob Wal- 
rath. 
W. R. Stevens. 
J. Wagner (among wheat). 
W. R. Stevens. 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens, W. Bellinger, 
Jno. Smith, Mrs. Deven- 
dorf (Briggs ten’t). 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens. 
A. Devendorf. 
W. R. Stevens. 
W. R. Stevens, J. J. Rickardt. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
W. R. Stevens. 
Woods 
Cock’s foot, Orchard grass. 
Meadows and pastures .. 
Meadows and pastures .. 
Wire or blue grass, Ken- 
tucky blue grass. 
False Red Top, Foul mea- 
dow Grass. 
Green or Common Meadow 
Grass. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
322. Festuca elatior, var. pratensis.—L. 
Meadows and pastures.. 
General and common 
Couch, Quick, Quack or 
Quitch grass. 
Meadows, pastures and 
grain-fields. 
General and common 
Meadows and pastures.. 
330. Danthonia compressa.— C. F. A.... 
332. Trisetum subspicatum, 
Meadows and pastures.. 
Common Crab or Finger 
grass. 
General and common ....... 
Rare 
337. Panioum latifolium.—L 
Woods 64 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Common Name. 
Habitat. 
Frequency. 
Where found or noted. 
Graminm—Continued. 
“Grass Family”—Cont’d. 
ler, E. Coville. 
Yards and grain-fields .. 
Meadows, pastures and 
grain-fields. 
Pastures and grain-fields 
Grain-fields and woods.. 
On all farms. 
On all farms. 
Green Foxtail or Bottle gr. 
“Horse Tail Family.*» 
On all farms. 
Equisetacea. 
Probably general but scarce. 
F.Lewis,S.G. Spoor, H.Haupt, 
W. R. Stevens, A. Decker, 
E. Decker, G. Bellinger. 
Scouring Rush,Shave grass 
“Ferns.” 
Fr. Lewis, H. Haupt. 
Filices. 
W. R. Stevens, H. Haupt, 
N. N. Schuyler. 
rath, H. Haupt, Ed. Simms, 
R. Landt. 
General and common 
A. Jones, H. Haupt, S. G. 
Spoor, Fr. Lewis, Edward 
Simms, A.Decker, R.Landt. 
W. R. Stevens, Jacob Wal- 
351. Phegopteris hexagonoptera.—Fee .. 
352. Phegopteris Dryopteris.—Fee 
Woods 
Woods 
Probably general but scarce. 
Rare 
rath, A. Jones, H. Haupt, 
S. G. Spoor, Fr. Lewis, A. 
Decker, R. Landt, E. Dec- 
ker, G. Bellinger. 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis, 
S. G. Spoor, H. Haupt, S. 
G. Spoor (Van Allen ten’t). 
W. R. Stevens, Fr. Lewis. 
B—Continued. 65 
•Aspidium Thelypteris.—Swartz ... 
Woods 
Bare 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, A. 
Decker. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, R. Landt, A. Dec- 
ker, E. Decker, W. R. 
Stevens. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
355. Aspidium Goldianum—Hook, var. (?) 
H. Haupt, S. G. Spoor, 
Ed. Simms, E. Decker, G. 
Bellinger. 
Fr. Lewis, H. Haupt, S. G. 
Spoor, A. Decker, R. Landt. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, 
H. Haupt, A. Decker, Ed. 
Simms, S. P. Jones. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Shaded ravines and woods 
Meadows and pastures 
(wet places). 
Damp thickets and woods 
Pastures and dry thickets 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
Probably general but scarce. 
Probably general but scarce. 
359. Struthiopteris Germanica.— Willd .. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, A. Docker. 
W. R. Stevens, Jacob Wal- 
rath, Fr. Lewis, S. G. 
Spoor, H. Haupt, A. Dec- 
ker, R. Landt, E. Decker. 
Fr. Lewis, S. G. Spoor, H. 
Haupt, R. Landt, S. G. 
Spoor (Van Allen ten’t), 
A. Decker, Edward Simms, 
A. Jones, E. Decker, G. 
Bellinger. 
L. Green, H. N. Gros. 
L. Green. 
L. Green, near Fink’s basin. 
Probably general and com- 
mon. 
W. R. Stevens, A. Devendorf, 
Jacob Walrath. 
Lycopodiacece. 
“ Club Moss Family.” 
yens. 66 
0 per ct. 
.10 per ct. 
.11 per ct. 
0 per ct. 
0 per ct. 
0 per ot. 
0 per ct. 
0 per ct. 
0 per ct. 
Percentage of Abortions to each Farm. 
Arthur Jones........ 
3f< 
4‘ 
?o! 
i 3 
“ n 
a 
Mrs. Devendorf 
(Briggs ten’t).. 
.T F Vnr 
H 
rl 
53: 
i 
r 
r 
B g. 
! 
re® 
2 •*» 
» 
5“® B 
5 p* 
: 3. 
* * 
Per cent of Grass. 
Eleocharis pa* 
I.USTRIS. 
FOUND WITH ERGOT (Claviceps purpurea—Tuls.) UPON THEM. 
l * 
Per cent Ergotized. 
ik. to Cn rf** CO cc to CO 
O’ O' O’ O O 00*00 
Per cent of Grass. 
Phleum pra- 
TENSE. 
: : : : : 
* * 
Per cent Ergotized. 
o * o o to 
to * o* o* o* 
© 
.15 
.15 
ns 
Per cent of Grass. 
AGR08TIS vul- 
garis. 
: : : 
* 
Per cent Ergotized. 
o • © 
O* • O’ 
.005 
• 
Per cent of Grass. 
GlTCERIA NER-" 
VATA. 
*1 I 
• O’ 
Per cent Ergotized. 
o © _ 
O’ © * 
to 
• 
Per cent of Grass. 
POA SEROTINA. 
: 
* 
• 
Per cent Ergotized. 
.25 
.25 
• 
—* *—» HMkOM 
O’ O* © © O' © 
Per cent of Grass. 
POA PRATENSIS. 
• • ooo o o to 
• • © H-* O’ O’ O’ O’ O’ 
- • to 
Per cent Ergotized. 
* * « 
* 
* * 
Per cent of Grass. 
Festuca ela- 
TIOR) var. PRA- 
TENSIS. 
* * * 
* * 
Per cent Ergotized. 
Per cent of Grass. 
Bromus secali- 
NC8. 
; ; , Per cent Ergotized. 
o 
© * 
M * 
© o o o o o 
OH- H- CO CO to 
O’ O’ O’ 
Per cent of Grass. 
Triticum re- 
PENS. 
O* O* O’ O* O* , ■ “O -T 
o o o o o* o* o* 
Per cent Ergotized. 
© 
O’ 
t l 
Per cent of Grass. 
Danthonia spi- 
CATA. 
• 
• : 
Per cent Ergotized. 
o 
O’ 
O’ © O’ O’ O’ 
.30 
.20 
.40 
Per cent of Grass. 
Thifolium pra- 
TENSE. 
UNAFFECTED WITH ERGOT. 
*MMMO 
* o o* o* to 
ooo 
to to O’ 
Per cent of Grass. 
Trifolium re- 
pens. 
: • 
Per cent of Grass. 
Agrostis sca- 
BRA. 
* l 
Per cent of Grass. 
Dactylis GLO- 
HERATA. 
• 
• 
Per cent of Grass. 
Glyceria aqua- 
TICA. 
• 
Per oent of Grass. 
POA COMPRESSA. 
* l 
Per cent of Grass. 
Anthoxanthum 
ODORATUM. 
REPORT ON GRASSES CONSTITUTING THE HAY. 
[This mark (*) denotes that a trace only of Ergot was discernible.] 
(E.) 67 
R Miller 
35 
10 
* 
i.n5 
* 
* 
.02 
.50 
.40 
.10 
...J.... 
.30 
* 
* 
.15 
* 
.01 
.50 
.20 
.05 
.10 
.05 
* 
.50 
.40 
.05 
0 per ct. 
? 
* 
35 
. 15 
.01 
03 
.005 
.50 
.40 
.08 
J. T. Shall 
.35 
.05 
* 
* 
.05 
* 
.05 
.50 
.05 
* 
.05 
.15 
* 
.01 
.40 
.15 
* 
.30 
.02 
.02 
.25 
* 
.03 
.20 
.30 
.10 
.35 
.01 
* 
15 
.005 
.50 
.45 
.40 
.15 
* 
.10 
* 
.75 
.25 
.15 
.55 
.10 
.01 
.02 
.10 
* 
.75 
.15 
.10 
★ 
.60 
* 
.02 
.20 
* 
• 75 
* 
.10 
* 
.50 
.15 
* 
.05 
* 
.015 
.20 
.25 
.05 
.20 
.30 
.02 
.15 
.03 
.75 
. 10 
.80 
.05 
* 
.03 
* 
.... 
.07 
.05 
30 
.15 
.025 
.10 
.05 
.20 
.20 
.30 
t 
* 
* 
.10 
.25 
.05 
* 
Hay 
cut 
.40 
* 
.01 
.05 
.40 
.05 
.40 
.04 
.10 
.02 
.10 
.35 
.10 
.02 
.40 
.10 
.01 
* 
.05 
* 
* 
* 
.03 
.75 
.05 
* 
* 
Hay 
cut 
* 
* 
* 
.50 
.02 
* 
.01 
* 
.02 
.25 
.25 
.05 
40 
.08 
* 
.10 
* 
.50 
.20 
.10 
.05 
.05 
* 
.04 
.01 
.03 
.50 
.30 
.05 
Hay 
cut 
.10 
.08 
* 
* 
* 
.02 
.50 
.45 
* 
.40 
.05 
.12 
.05 
* 
.05 
.04 
.25 
.35 
.01 
.40 
.03 
.15 
* 
.50 
.30 
.05 
.35 
.10 
.10 
.005 
.50 
.45 
.50 
.10 
Re 
port 
on 
res. 
.07 
.90 
.015 
.50 
.25 
.05 
.30 
.10 
* 
.15 
.02 
.05 
.005 
.10 
.10 
.60 
.05 
.05 
* 
.50 
.05 
* 
.20 
.25 
05 
.15 
.03 
.02 
.20 
.50 
.20 
.20 
* 
* 
* 
.05 
.10 
* 
.50 
.05 
* 
P. Shall 
.25 
.03 
* 
.02 
.75 
.20 
.01 
* 
.01 
.40 
.30 
01 
.01 
.02 
.01 
.75 
.20 
.02 
.30 
* 
★ 
.03 
* 
.35 
.15 
01 
.10 
* 
.02 
.75 
.40 
.05 
.45 
01 
* 
.10 
* 
.10 
.50 
.30 
.10 
.40 
.10 
* 
* 
10 
* 
* 
.10 
.30 
.10 
.77 per ct. 
J. F. Bellinger 
• ••• 
* 
• ••• 
* 
.02 
.05 
• • • • 
* 
.50 
* 
.05 
.10 
.15 
J Scarce. 
t In pasture. S'S'S’SlTS'S’S’S’S'S’S’S’S'S’S’S? 
Percentage of Abortions to each Farm. 
| A. Jones 
3 
P. Baum .. .* 
as 
a; 
!• 
© 
“ 
=• 
i 
Jno. Snell 
Geo. R. Bellinger... 
E. Decker 
A. Decker 
© 
! 
i 
3 
a 
5 
E. Coville 
N. Stafford 
J. Gardinier 
S. Miller 
M. Peck 
• 
SO 
Per cent of Grass. 
Eleocharis pa- 
LUSTRIS. 
FOUND WITH ERGOT (Claviceps purpurea— Tuls.) UPON THEM. 
o 
c 
Per cent Ergotized. 
Iv tO 
© O’ 
X O’ 
© © 
© oa 
© © 
O OS 
-n O' 
4- 
© 
© 
4- *•« 05 OS 
© o* © © 
•*S 
-n 
4* 
© 
O’ 
Per cent of Grass. 
Phleum pra- 
TENSE. 
Per cent Ergotized. 
• 
© 
sO 
.05 
.10 
.in 
© 
© 
O’ 
© 
O’ 
.15 
.10 
.10 
.05 
.ns 
O’ 
-n o 
Per cent of Grass. 
AgROSTIS VtJL- 
GARIS. 
j 
Per cent Ergotized. 
• 
Per cent of Grass. 
Glyceria ner- 
YATA. 
Per cent Ergotized. 
* 
© 
SO 
* 
... 
5 • 
Per cent of Grass. 
Poa Serotina. 
• 
• 
: : : 
i 
Per cent Ergotized. 
• 
© 
.O 
© 
© >— 
->• © 
-o © 
© O’ 
© © © © © 
*-* O’ O’ O’ © l—”* O’ 
— © 
© O’ 
Per cent of Grass. 
POA PRATENSI8. 
Per cent Ergotized. 
© * © © © 
S3 * tO tO >— 
© © A 
to O’ * t 
3 • 
Per cent of Grass. 
Festdca ela- 
tior, var. PRA- 
T EN SIS. 
© 
4* 
© M *-* 
O’ © © 
* © © © 
* O’ O’ O’ 
© 
o« 
Per cent Ergotized. 
l * 
Per cent of Grass. 
Bromus secali- 
NUS. 
• o 
• o 
• O’ 
Per cent Ergotized. 
• 
• 
• 
.20 
s 
.015 
• 
• • 
2 . . 
s * * * 
Per cent of Grass. 
Triticum re- 
PENS. 
.75 
.10 
S 
s 
ooo**»*o* 
Per cent Ergotized. 
Per cent of Grass. 
Danthonia spi- 
CATA. 
Per cent Ergotized. 
.50 
.70 
.40 
£ 
3S 
g 
£ 
.30 
.30 
.25 
.4.0 
Per cent of Grass. 
Trifolium pra- 
tense. 
UNAFFECTED WITH ERGOT. 
* 
-.10 
.03 
.05 
• 
g 
• 
• 
.05 
.05 
.10 
• 
.05 
.05 
.15 
Per cent of Grass. 
Trifolium re- 
pens. 
* 
S 
Per cent of Grass. 
Aorostis sca- 
BRA. 
Per cent of Grass. 
Dactylis glo- 
merata. 
Per cent of Grass. 
Glyceria aqua- 
tica. 
* 
• 
Per cent of Grass. 
Poa compressa. 
• 
Per cent of Grass. 
Anthoxanthum 
ODORATUM. 
68 
E—Continued. 69 
an 
. 01 
.15 
* 
* 
.20 
.20 
* 
0 per ct. 
A. Miller 
Hay 
cut 
• • • • 
.... 
• • • • 
• •«• 
• • • • 
• • • • 
• • • • 
.... 
• • • • 
,.,4 
.... 
.... 
.... 
.... 
.40 
. 10 
* 
.ns 
* 
.01 
* 
.12 
.35 
.10 
* 
* 
.05 
* 
.02 
* 
.50 
* 
* 
60 
, 3 
02 
.005 
.20 
* 
.10 
.25 
36 per ct. 
Ackerman (Donovan 
05 
* 
.01 
* 
.01 
.005 
.20 
.10 
* 
• 
* 
* 
.20 
an 
.05 
24 per ct. 
Ildwd. Simms (Walter 
07 
02 
* 
* 
♦ 
01 
.50 
.90 
30 
05 
* 
oi 
* 
* 
.015 
.50 
* 
-05 
.15 
.05 
.015 
.01 
.50 
.15 
.45 
.05 
* 
.05 
.05 
* 
* 
.25 
.15 
* 
cut 
. 35 
f 25 
* * 
* 
.n2 
.01 
* 
.02 
3 5 
.10 
* 
05 
* 
.07 
.01 
.... 
,T. Snell 
mit 
r>nt- 
.35 
.10 
.005 
* 
.05 
0 per ct. 
J. A P. Monk 
Not 
cut 
.35 
.20 
.ns 
.03 
.10 
Not 
Hnv 
Hav 
Hay 
Not, 
Not 
30 
15 
01 
01 
-25 
.02 
.05 
• 
.30 
.05 
* 
05 
* 
* 
* 
* 
.50 
.03 
* 
• 
Not 
PYn 
* 
* 
Not, 
exa 
min 
* 
* 
Not 
14 per ct. 
S. G. Spoor (Van Al- 
• • • • 
Not 
exa 
* 
* 
0 per ct. 
an 
.10 
* 
* 
.05 
* 
.02 
.01 
.01 
.50 
.10 
* 
* 
—• » • 
0 per ct. 
Hay 
cut 
* 
* 
f Wheat-fields. While indicates Towns having less than 4percent of Abortions 
Gray , , , between 4 anal 6‘percnt „ 
Black , , „ over 3percent of „ 
ChaHes Van. Benllujysen. 31 ■Sans. Albany. aVY 
X.(1868) 
While indicates Towns having Less than 4 percent of Abortions 
Gray „ (/ „ betweenf anil 6percent ,, 
Black , „ „ over 6 percent of' 
Oiariss ikn BenPvuyo m. SC Softs. Albany, N. Y 
Y_ (1867 UTH.CHARLES VAABEHTHUYSOH&SONS 
Ya (see page 'M-J