Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1909-02-04

On Saturday. Jan. ", there vas held
in the Office OF the commissioner Of
agriculture at jackson . very import
ant meeting Of the Mississippi Live
Stock and Sanitary board As Is known
BY . greater part OF our people. this
board was authorized BY the last legis-
lature for the purpose OF handling con-
tagious and infectious diseases in live
stock, and primarily for the purpose Of
cooperating with the United States de-
pa-tment Of agriculture In erxdiczting
the common cattle tick. which causes
Texas fever and results In the los OF
millions Of dollars to the South annu-
ally All members we're present, and
with them was DIR. Herman. inspector
In charge OF the United States forces.
with headquarters at Nashville, Tenn.
The work for the past year. which
vas actively begun in Ben;oc and Mar
shall counties in July, was thoroughly
gone over and the results estimated.
10 wNs found that the ticks had been
practically eraaleated FROM three dis
tricts OF the tso counties. but that on
account Of lack Of cooperation on the
part OF zone Of the citizens it had no,
been so effective as Is should A pre-
hminary inspection OF portions Of De-
Soto and Tate counties had been made
with the result that Tate was found to
be not heavily infested, and DeSoto
with very few infested farms. The
United States authorities had furnished
two supervising inspectors regularly
and two others temporarily. The state
had employed six and eight regular
inspectors for several months, or 50
long as the funds At their disposal war
ranted. The result OF the frst six
months Of preliminary work was salts
factory, IL not what was hoped for.
A campaign plan was formulated for
1903, and the work will be pushed with
vigor. Inspectors will be placed in
Benton and Marshall counties early in
March for the purpose OF eradicating
the first ticks that appear in the spring.
Every effort will be made to clean up
the three infested districts Of these two
counties, as well As to get rid OF any
other infes,ation that may appear. So
soon as this work 10 well in hand the
inspectors will be transferred to De-
Soto. Tate and Tunica counties for the
Inauguration Of the work there, or such
OF them As can be spared. There ap-
pears to be very lively interest, es-
pecially in DeSoto county, and . desire
for the work to begin in these three
counties. Should the boards Of super
visors cooperate as they have an oppor-
tunity to do, the work could be pushed
in these counties with splendid results.
While the work for the yoar 1909 can
not be definitely outlined and the re-
suit accurately predicted, the board
hopes to see Benton and Marshall coun-
ties clear and ready for the quarantine
line TO drop below them, and IL the
help can be gotten from the other three
that Is expected, it IS possible that one
or more of them can be cleared during
the year. II every man Who owns live
stock in the i've counties could be in
duced TO follow the regulations and
comply with instructions, all could be
easily cleared before the year ends and
placed north Of the quarantine line.
IL 9s9 farmers we're clear snd only one
WAS infested il would prevent the quar-
antine being removed BY the federal
government Hence the absolute ueces-
sity for cooperation on the part OF the
people
The board has been exceedingly
leniert during the past year with the
persons who have not been Inclined 70
comply With the regulations, desiring
to induce Them to cooperate by show
ing the benefit 20 be derived from the
eradication Of the tick, and in some in
stances having neighbors and friends
to reason with them and explain how
i, would be worth dollars and eents TO
them This plan will be continued to .
certain extent, out it Is evidenced that
in isolated cases such will not be Of
avail. 30 the secretary has been author
ized 70 employ able counsel and vigor-
ously prosecute aggravated cases,
should such arise.
The expenditures OF the board dur
ing 1908 we're carefully scrutinized, as
veil As every action taken. Resolu-
rions we're passed thanking Director E
r. Lloyd OF the institutes for his aid in
disseminating information concerning
the benefits of tick eradication and
methods employed, and appreciation Of
the work Of DR.. ]. c. Robert, ex-uem-
Der Of the board.
The cooperation and assistance Of
every citizen interested in live stock
development Is especially desired dur
ing the coming year, and more particu-
larry in the counties named for work
OF tick eradication With their aid
and sympathy grea, good can and will
be accomplished.
The Adams county authorities are
investigating the possibilities Of grow
ing broom corn with county convict
labor. The weevil is forcing diversii-
cation, and broom corn offers an insir-
ing field when the present price is con-
sidered- Should Adams make = sue
cess other counties would quickly take
advantage OF the experience gained
Is does seem that Mississippi should
produce enough Of broom corn to sweep
her floors at least
Gulfport has made an initial ship
ment Of cotton to q foreign port, and
ID Is hoped that in a short time VIII de-
velop into splendid export point for
this product as we'll as lumber. which
has been largely in the majority in the
past We must have good seaport or
two in our state.