Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-07-20
Fighting Files


This Is getting to be about the time
of year when the humane man and
more especially the woman of tender
sSsmpathies takes note OF the myriad
insect pests of the animal kingdom ands
seeks for some alleviation from the
suffering entailed upon the cattle of
the farm But at the same time there
are many decent folks who say they
would not see their animals suffer If
they could help it, but who are not at
all sure that flies cause any very great
irritation to cattle and are not con-
vinced that it pays them to go to any
great expense or trouble to ward of
insect attacks. What they are begin
ming to figure up is the possible loss
of flesh, or milk, or growth, or pos
sible decrease of such commodities as
wool. losses which may be properly
set down as being the result of fly at
tacks and constant irritation during
the summer months. 1t must be con-
fessed that they are quite unable to
arrive at any definite conclusion as to
the amount of loss entailed in actual
marketable products when flies are al
lowed to practice their tactics unop-
posed nor are they able to set down
a figure showing a profit from treat
ment with various dopes and devices
intended for the destruction of flies or
their prevention from attacking. This
being the case they are very apt to ar
que that as the. fly preventing work does
not show palpable profit it is scarce
ly worth following year after year and
we believe candidly that this would
be found true if we were to figure up
the expense and bother and time util-
lied in attempting to smear, or dip, or
screen or scrape or blanket, or other
wise protect or treat cattle during fly
time with the object of protecting them
against insect pests. 1t then SINNERS
down to almost pure humanitarianism,
this business of fly destruction or pre-
vention. And surely that is worth all
of the trouble and expense, and with
out any elaborate calculations as to the
cost in time and money we think the
pleasure of knowing that the poor
dumb beasts are more comfortable
than they would otherwise be more
than offsets the cost and trouble. And
there are advantages in fly prevention
that are not usually taken into account.
For instance it must be concluded that
as every animal eats a certain amount
of grass and other food daily a certain
increment should be expected from
food consumed but when flies bother
milk is reduced in amount, fat is vast
ed in fighting and running, lack of
peace in summer means wholesale
waste of flesh put on in times of peace
and plenty during winter time, hides
are injured materially by puncture in
the best parts, seen where the back
has been infested by the "warble'' of
the insect known as hypodermis bowls
and considered from every aspect flies
are an abomination and injury and
torment to animals that deserve the
protection and sympathy and attention
of their owners. Fly destruction Is
then in the opinion of the Farmers
Review not to be considered wholly in
the selfish light of mere dollars and
cents but as humane matter first and
as an economic policy second. Shell
ters and shades should be supplied in
every pasture; screens should be upon
the doors and windows of every horse
and cattle stable; applications should
be made to the backs of cattle by spray
pumps, dipping or other methods for
the keeping off of flies, and after all
is done the work will not be SO very
difficult nor the expense very great
considering the bliss and comfort and
enjoyment of the animals relieved.
There are many applications nowadays
which may be used for the purpose in
dicated in the above and of these the
cheap tar product sheep dips adver-
tised in our columns will be found
easy of application, effective and eco
nomic. Other effective applications
have been suggested by each agrfcul-
tural experiment station and bulletins
upon the subject may be had from these
sources on application. The humane
man will stop figuring the cost and con-
slider the comfort of his stock in these
days of prosperity. profit and plenty.
II is to be hoped that he will prove
the truth of this assertion.
Agricultural Notes.
Farm tenantry is doubtless increas-