The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-02-04
BIZ a. e. BLAKEsLEE. JACKSON,


Stock and Sanitary board. AS is known
by a 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-
partment of agriculture in eradicating
the common cattle tick, which causes
Texas fever and results in the loss of
millions OF dollars to the South annu-
ally. All members were 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
was actively begun in Benton and Mar
shall counties in July, was thoroughly
gone over and the results estimated.
1t was found that the ticks had been
practically eradicated from three dis
tricts of the two counties, but that on
account of lack of cooperation on the
part OF some of the citizens it had not
been so effective a. it should. A pre-
liminary 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 so
long as the funds at their disposal war
ranted. The result of the first six
months of preliminary work was salts
factory, If not what was hoped for.
A campaign plan was formulated for
1909, and the work will be pushed with
vigor. Inspectors will be placed in
Benton and Marshall counties early in
March for the purpose OF Graduating
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 we'll as to get rid of any
other infestation that may appear So
soon as this work is we'll in hand the
inspectors will be transferred to De-
Soto, Tate and Tunica counties for the
of the work there, or such
,f them as can be spared. There APP
pears to bea very lively interest, es-
,ecially in DeSoto county, and a desire
or the work to begin in these three
Should the boards of super
7isors cooperate as they have an oppor-
unity to do, the work could be pushed
n these counties with splendid results.
While the work for the yoar 1909 can
rot be definitely outlined and the re-
'ult accurately predicted, the board
hopes to see Benton and Marshall coun
lies clear and ready for the quarantine
inc to drop below them, and If the
help can be gotten from the other three
that is expected, it is possible that one
DR. more of them can be cleared during
the year. II every man who owns live
stock in the five counties could be in
auced to follow the regulations and
comply with instructions, all could be
easily cleared before the year ends and |
placed north of the quarantine line. |
II 500 farmers we're clear and only one
was infested it would prevent the quar-
antine being removed by the federal |
government. Hence the absolute neces-
sity for cooperation on the part OF the
people.
The board has been exceedingly
lenient during the past year with the
persons who have not been inclined to
comply with the regulations, desiring
to induce them to cooperate by show
ing the benefit to be derived from the
eradication OF the tick, and in some in
stances having neighbors and friends
to reason with them and explain how
it would be worth dollars and cents to
them. This plan will be continued to a
certain extent, but it is evidenced that
in isolated cases such will not be of
avail, SO the secretary has been author
lied to employ able counsel and vigor-
ously prosecute aggravated cases,
should such arise.
The expenditures OF the board dur
ing 1908 were carefully scrutinized, as
well as every action taken. Resolu-
tions were 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.. J. C. Robert, ex-mem-
Der of the board.
The cooperation and assistance of
every citizen interested in live stock
is especially desired dur
ing the coming year, and more particu-
larly in the counties named for work
Of tick eradication. With their aid
and sympathy great good can and will
be accomplished:
In Clarke county the local farmers
unions are cooperating in the corn
club movement, having committee to
aid Superintendent Geo. B. Parker in.
arranging for an enlargement of the
work this year. As has been repeatedly
said, the educational feature OF the
union is one Of its strongest features,
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