The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-15
CATTLE TICK ONE OF STATES WORST PESTS Eradication Work All l-Impor-
 tant to Farmers BOIL WEEVIL IS COMING Experts From Agricultural Department of the Government Are Busy in
 the Cotton Sections of
 Alabama
BOIL WEEvIL IS COMING
BY WALTER HARPER


 Absolutely none in the orinignal ami mals themselves. A steer properly raised and cared for in Alabama is just as good for all purposes as the steer from Iowa.
 The cattle tick in Alabama and other southern states makes the difference. This state sustains an actual loss In the sale of cattle every year of something like 5000 900 by reason of the existence of the tick. Many more millions Of dol lars are lost every year on account of the non-raising of cattle for the same req son.
 The man who would go into the busi- ness of cattle raising or the man who would come to the state from the north and west will not do so because his neghbor will not cooperate In the eradi- cation of the cattle tick.
 Yet in view of these facts there are thousands of farmers all over Alabama who laugh at you when you mention ticks to them
 The eradication of the parasite Is one of the simplest propositions that con fronts the farmers of any section, but it takes the complete cooperation Of all cattle owners to make it effective.
 PrejudiciaI Opposition
 The prejudicial opposition to tick eradi- cation is so strong in most of the coun- ties of Alabama that even the county offi- cials who have 1t in their power to make laws effective are influenced against the reform for political reasons.
 An Alabama congressman few weeks ago called at the federal department of agriculture at Washington and asked that a cattle tick expert be sent Into his district to help in eradication. The head of the department made a most signifi- cant reply: "You people in Alabama do not want the tick eradicated They will not cooperate with our men and 1t Is useless to send men down there until the people are educated In the value or the work and will give support to the movement"
 I have found that this charge is true. It is a disgraceS on the state. The ex- pert asked for by the congressman fyas sent to Alabama. but with no hops of accomplishing the desired result until he has done months and perhaps years of educational work among the people.
 Merchants Opposition
 A merchant in one of these middle Alabama towns yesterday was asked to contribute a small sum for the building of an arsenic dipping vat for cattle In his town and community He positively refused even to contribute one dime, de- claring, q have been used to the cattle tick all my life and do not see that he has ever done any harm"
 The vat was built at a cost of $35 and most of the cattle in the community were driven through 1t, being cleansed as pure as baby but the family COW of the man who wants ticks or does not care will produce enough of the parasites
 tx1 I,a artaff m 14 days.
 There is your proposition.
 And the boil weevil is coming
 Boil WeeviI Coming
 No remedy has been found for the latter pest, Experts from the agricultural de- partmcnt are swinging over Alabama try ing to help those who want to help Hundreds of intelligent and farmers are doing all they can to prepare for the bolll weevil by d. versifying their crops and raising cattle.
 The raising of cattle is necessary to the success of the new order of things. There is not only large and growing demand for beef cattle and hogs, but they are needed to improve the lands and supply a consuming demand for corn, hay and other feed products that must take the place of cotton.
 Many progressive farmers in this sec tion, and especially in Sumter county, are segregating their cattle, eliminating the ticks on their farms and are making wonderful success.
 But the market price of these cattle are affected by the tick conditions that exist in the state and on the neighboring farms More than this 1t requires con- stant care and expense to keep even the segregated cattle clean.
 Eradication Is Simple
 The eradication of the cattle tick, as simple as 1t may seem, is the most im- portant question that confronts the Ala bama farmer today The boil weevil is a blessing in disguise. Many of the more intelligent and progressive farmers of Alabama are praying for its speedy ar-s rival It will not destroy this world-im- portant industry of cotton growing. but will force a more business-like condition. It will bring intelligent diversiflcation, scientific cultivation and also bring about the raising of more food products.
 Dr. w. J. Spillman of the department of agriculture at Washington told me last night that the arrival of the boil weevfl In Alabama will bankrupt many farmers and send other enterprises into financial ruin, but that 1t is the price we pay for all revolutions. But the wreck will leave us stronger and in much better condi- ton. ne I11dH WIO DcSlHS nOW UT lldS dl- ready begun to get ready will be pre- pared to weather the storm.
 Professor what must the farmers of do to get ready?"
 "Get rid of the cattle tick'
 Cleaning n Herd
 Any farm or herd of cattle can be cleaned of the tick In a few months' time new method of eradication is just now being introduced in Alabama by tho Washington experts. It has been thor oughly tested in other sections and proved to be absolutely effective and harmless.
 It is the arsenic dip mentioned above. The vat Is a trench dug in the ground 25 feet long, five feet deep and five feet wide. This is cemented and partially filled with water and arsenic, one part of arsenic to 6o0 parts water. The cattle are driven through this vat every 10 days.
 I saw cattle treated in this way. I saw steers with thousands of ticks come from the dip as clean as a baby from the morn- ing bath and absolutely no injury had been done the animal.
 Mich cows and young calves are treat ed to the dip with absolute safety. few clippings will eliminate the tick for ever from the farm unless it is contam. mated by ticky neighbor.
 Condition and Remedy
 Now there is the condition and the ~an, edy. It means a saving and a gain of millions of dollars to Alabama Dozens of cattle raisers in this canebrake section and alfalfa region of Sumter have uuN work and have gone out to educate their neiehhcrs in the reform. The officials al N.Nsh,re+on have seen the awakening and are hurrying as much help as thav can. but the work will be slow and tedious. It sweep to the gulf. Every man must CO.,