The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-08-22
HOW TO GET RID OF TICKS.
Department of Agriculture is Much
Interested In the determination of
This Pest to Cattle.

Washington, August 13.-An impor-
tant and interesting bulletin on the
cattle tick question has just been pro-
mulgated by the department. OF agrl.
culture. It was prepared by Chlet
Melvin, of the bureau of animal IN
dusty, VINO says:
"In view of the widespread interest
taken in the cattle tick question at
this time, and its important bearing
on the cattle industry of the South, it
is considered Atimely to issue direc-
tions on riddiHg cattle and premises
of the Texas fever tick.
elf Southern farmers will make a
united effort along the lines indicated
and cooperate with local officials and
this bureau in attacking the tick
problem, much hea1way will be made
and our ultimate aim, eradication OF
the tick and its direful consequences
to Southern agriculture, will be with
in accomplishment.
Destruction Of ticks which are on
cattle and premises is the first step IN
procuring a free cattle traffic. Sugges-
tions are, therefore, made for the pur-
pose of assisting owners of small num-
bers of ticky cattle to get rid OF the
fever ticks, which are more aounoant
in the latter part of summer and tall,
the other kinds being rarely present
after July. All ticks are harmful,
however, and should be destroyed:
Cattle and premises may be freed
from ticks by hand-I IicAlng the cattle,
avsn though they are allowed to run on
.lcky premises, provided they are con-
trolled and 40 other animals permitted
IN the premises. Hand-picking and
ereasing is most suitable where there
are few animals, or where conditions
for greasing can not be changed. All
the cattle should be carefully examined
daily and the ticks picked or scraped
of. Horses and mules sometimes car
~ ticks, and these animals must also
be thoroughly and frequently exam
ined. Care must be exercised to col
lect and destroy all, ticks removed,
which must not be thrown on the
ground, but should be placed IN tin
cans or other vessels and carried to a
suitable place and burned.
Arrange to examine all cattle and
pick the ticks every other day. All
parts of the animals, especially the
insides and back parts Of the thighs,
should be examined. If any of tse
cattle are difficult to handle they
should be driven into chute or a.
narrow pen made for the purpose
where good light is afforded, for
ticks can be seen best in sunlight.
Begin now to pick ticks and be sure
not single tick natures on cattle at
ter Sept. /. By observing these precau
tions during this summer and fall, cat
tie and premises should be freed from
ticks by April of next year. To assist
in preventing ticks from getting on
cattle, the latter may be creased at the
time of picking, or as often as may
seem necessary. Greasy solution is
obnoxious 70 ticks and if legs and
thighs of the animals are treated in
this manner ticks will be less apt tc
crawl on them.
"Use Beaumont crude petroleum, or
anv crnde oil, cotton seed oil. fish oil
or Lard. = mixture which VIII be fou3d
useful comprises one gallon each OF
kerosane and cotton seed Gil. 1s.ld enc
pound flowers of sulphur. Is may be
applied With sponge, s"ab or bfash
aad should be thoroughly rubbed on
all the lower parts of the cattle, and
at least half way up theft bodies.
Remove all cattle, including young
stocks and calves, about Sept. l, from
the pasture or range where they are to
be kept after March Is of the follow
ing year. Do not permit any cattle,
horses or mules on such pasture or
range during the period indicated.
Examine carefully every head of cat
tie before changing in March. If ticks
are present at this time and are not
destroyed, the pasture will become
infested and tie work will have to
be done over again df ticks are fre-
quently removed by picking aud cattle
creased Immediately after they are
taken from the pasture in September,
danger of future Infection will be
greatly lessened.
S'Any of the above methods may be
followed from mid summer until the
following April. Select the method
best suited to your conditions, carry it
out vigorously and Eeip your neighbor
do the same. Be sure no other cattle,
unless free Of ticks, pass over the
premises where your cattle go. If
every one will do his part in getting
rid of ticks the cattle quarantine will
be removed.