The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-08-17

How 20 Free Cattle and Pastures
of Ticks.
K X x :: !: x x :: :. ::


There are four practical methods
that may be employed in trcein. eat
tie and pastures Of Texas fever ticks:
~ Picking or brushing of The ticks:
(2I slnearl!= or spraying" he animals
With Il dl>lNfecting solution: (}J dip
ping the "ticky' animals in a vat
containing a solution capable Of kill
ing the ticks without injury to the
cattle; (4) 4 systematic pasture rota-
ton whereby the ticks are eliminated
by changing the cattle to one pas
ture after another, allowing the ticks
to drop off, and preventing new ticks
from getting on the cattle.
In sections where there are large
herds and ranches, dipping or spray
ing on large scale has been success
fully carried out, either alone or in
conjunction with pasture rotation
while IN other sections, where the
cattle on farms consists of only few
head, hand dressing with oil has been
found to be the most practical plan.
The methods above suggested, there
fore, apply to different sections of
fthe country, and the stockman or
farmer should select the one which is
best suited to his particular case.
Picking or Brushing off the Ticks.
Where the herd is small the ticks
may be picked off by hand or scrap
ed off with a dull knife or curry
comb. This should be done at least
I;three times a week in order to re-
move all the large ticks before they
mature and fall off, as by this system
the smaller ticks which at first escape
iNetection will be found before they
fare fully developed. After removal
the ticks should be destroyed, pre-
ferable by burning. Care should be
taken to 60 over the animals thor
oughly, and after once going over
they should not be neglected, as
ticks may be picked up from time to
time. If this work is thoroughly done
and no ticks allowed to fall off and
lay eggs from June / to the end Of
&, November, the cattle will he free
from ticks and the pastures clean.
Smearing or Spraying.
Greasing the animals all over thor
oughly with cotton-seed oil, fish oil,
or Beaumont crude petroleum will
assist in preventing the ticks from
getting upon them and destroy the
ticks already on them. This method
is practicable when only few ami
! mails are to be treated. A mixture of
l gallon Of kerosene, l gallon Of cot
ton-seed oil, and l pound Of sulphur
has proved effective when used two
or three times a week during the tick
season. It should be applied with
! sponge, syringe, brush, mop, or
broom.
Where large number of cattle are
to Je treated, but not enough to war-
rant building a vat, spraying has CIV
en- good results. The necessary equip
ment consists Of force pump such
as is used by orchardists for spray
ing trees, with barrel in a wagon
or on platform and a hose with
an ordinary nozzle. A 20 per cent
emulsion Of Beaumont oil or a ) per
cent solution Of any Of the standard
coal-tar dips may be used. The spray
ings should be continued throughout
fthe whole season and if thoroughly
! done will leave the cattle and pas
lures free for the following year.
I Dipping IN Vat.
! Where a large nomber of animals
are to be treated, dipping in a vat is
convenient and effective method.
Beaumont crude petroleum is con-
sidered the most satisfactory dip
and may be used either alone or in
a 20 per cent emaision. Animals that
have been dipped in the oil, especially
during warm weather, should not be
driven any great distance immedi-
ately afterwards, and should be pro-
vided with shade and an abundance
Eof water.
Pasture Rotation
F This system Of eradication appeals
to many farmers and should be fol-
lowed whenever practicable or condi-
tions will permit. 1t consists in plac-
ling ticky animals in small pasture
for period of 20 days. During that
time a considerable number Of ticks
will drop off. Then transfer the cat
title to a second small pasture for an
l.