Lower coast gazette., 1913-09-06
Animal Protection.

PERHAPS the best way to protect our planta- b
animals would be to have fewer OF them u
and TO attempt to inaugurate motor power IN all Q
farm and plantation uses to which it IS capaDle t
adaptation. Few persons appreciate the y
enormous tax upon a large piece of property IN :
7 ouisiana at least, that is now endured in the q
wav Of securing and maintaining a given sup {
nlv of animal power. With the prices OF mules
about so per cent higher than they were ~ or
Is wears ago; with sugar selling at less than
then. the matter of animal power has become
such a serious one that many planters have
heen endeavoring to economic by using teams
of a lower grade and less effectiveness. This
would seem very natural, but the immediate re.
suits are that of diminished yields OF sugar
cane and corn and if we may so put the prop
osnion. with increasing impecunioslty to the
owners.
The dreadful animal disease known as an
thrax or Charlton as we term it here. ravages
our state far less than formerly. The Pasteur
yaccines. while sometimes failing, in a general
way have demonstrated their efficiency at least
among the sugar plantations and the devastat-
ing losses that formerly occurred are now less
frequently heard of.
The U. S. Department of. Agriculture has
been constantly engaged in this feature OF ag-
r~icultural work and in one of its latest bulletins,
viz. Farmers Bulletin No. SAC, has taken up
the matter of the activities of the stable ny,
which it claims may be controlled by proper
care of straw stacks. Aside from literally Wor-
ryinp horses, mules and cattle to death and kill
ing them by extracting their blood. the deadly
flies transmit disease from one animal to another.
It is thought that the far eastern disease known
as surra, is transmitted in this matter. Fears
are expressed as to the possible Importation OF
that disease into the United States. A close
relative of the disease is said to be already
prevailing in this country among horses, cattle
and sheep and known as sooma.
investigators Of the matter have reported
that CHAMBERS are transmitted by these flies as
we'll as the low and obscure fever known as
swamp fever among mules and horses, which
NAV be transmitted in the same way. Apart
from the direct injury in transmitting disease
to animals, the incidental effect of lowering the
vitality of the animals;and their capacity tore
sist disease leads them to succumb very, rapidly
to. other ordinary diseases and conditions.
Even men are said to be occasionally infect
ed with blood poisoning by being bitten BY
these obnoxious stable flies, which are common
to temperate and tropical countries. lnvestlga-
tons have been made as to the origin OF these
flies and it is shown that while the fly broods in
pure horse manure, it favors a, mixture OF this
substance with straw. It was found to be
breeding in much greater abundance insoats
straw than in wheat straw. Rice. straw was
also found to furnish suitable breeding condit-
4 ions and there is little doubt that barley and
rye also serve as food for the immature stages
of the insect. This development is somewhat
slower than that of the house fly and it is there
fore quite necessary that the eggs be deposited
in rather large quantities of material for it t
breed out successfully.
In regard to remedies there are substance
for repelling the flies from live stock, but nom
thus far have had any lasting effect. Some in
jury has at times been produced by their appli
cation. Many malodorous mixtures, particularl
of an oily nature, have some value, but in pre-
pairing these care should be taken that they ar
! not made too strong, particularly when AM
mails are being worked in the hot sun. If mad
too strong, they are likely to cause over heat
: ing and produce shedding of the hair by tn
: animal. The Department suggests a mixtur
t of fish oil, one gallon. oil of pine tar, 2 ounces
oil Of pennyroyal, 2 ounces and kerosene or
$ h%alf-pint. This thoroughly mixed and apple
7 lightly but thoroughly to the portion OF tt
animal not covered with blankets or nets. II
most important point, however, is the care
I the straw stack. The straw should be stacke
more carefully than is ordinarily done, by MAJ
/ ing the sides nearly vertical and rounding it Y
all on top in order the better to shed the raj
IS All straw not required for winter feed shou
4 be disposed Of Immediately by burning OF
scattering it over the land after threshing al
le then blowing it under, or by burning the STAG
g ~ploughing it under being the most advisaf