Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1908-08-22
TICK ERADICATION.
Official Report Of Or. Earnest |.
Smith U. 5. Dept. Of Agriculture.

York county. the conditions show
out Of seventy quarantned farms
only fifteen at present are infested
with the Texas fever tick. and al Of
these infectatons were slight with
the exception of two and both Of
those are under good control and |
can now be reported slight. One of
these cases IS where a cusrantined
party sold cattle to a non-ousrsn-
tined farm. therefore introducing |
sicks 70 new locality and making
one more qusrantined place The
transaction vas a direct disobedi-
ence of the law by the party OF the
first part. not the second. although
the second party was not aware that
ne was buying ticks ine addition TO
nis cattle and the first party was so
anxious for a sale that he dealt him
a dishonest deal in not informing
him that he himself was under strict
quarantine. The commonwealth
may rest assured that such parties
Will be prosecuted in due time.
In York county there are eighteen
quarantned farms and out Of that
number only three were found in
tested. and at the present writing
they are all striving TO become free.
AS a whole conditions were found
to be very satisfactory and the stock
owners in general are taking an IN
tense interest ir the work and show
their willingness to comply with fed
g eral Instructions. After the u. S
! government. the state and county
(. have furnished experts and agent:
e to DO the work and even then giver
{ the tick oil 10 apply would it not b,
{ strange. indeed. if the up-to-dau
II stock owner did not grasp the oppor
St tuc'ry and cooperate at once in n,
.e comPletS eradication of the Texa
D. fever tick (Boophilus annulatus?)
IS As yet no definite time can b.
'e stated when the individuals an,
L county will be out Of quarantine
o. but conditions are coming 70 a poir
c now where. when the state and [
= 5. authorities can make satisfactor
!, arrangements the quarantine viii
y raised. but not on those owners wh
show any indisposition TO the wor
and still have ticks. the state ca
70 hold the quarantine over them for
century if necessary.
The main defense some peop
have TO offer is that they DO not B,
leive in ticks. Please permit Il
writer TO say right here that such
nd mode Of defense is a mere sham ar
no feebly endeavors 70 show that Il
he government is practicing a chicane
he on the people. which is absolute
-'s incorrect and has not the least fou
n dstion for ITS origin. In short
nd makes no difference whether o
nm believes in ticks or not that is r
-r+ the issue. disbelief simply sho'
ver ignorance and a lack Of decent a
Vs probation. Either assist in
nd work or be among those that ney
m progress and have your privileg
he curtaIed indefinitely. The law
\. not intended 70 work hardships
N anyone. but If il were not strict al
impartial our efforts would never
re- crowned with success.
er- The u. s. government is earTyi
as on this work ali through the Sou
len and il will not be many years befC
,er- the fever tick viii be completely {
his stroyed and the southern farmer c
,Sv enjoy cattle raising as an indusi
30, which viii equal Il not excel that
the West Where corn grows abur
ant antly there cattle thrive in quality
~, < l. Smith.