Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-06-26
TICK ERADICATION N LOUISIANA.

Inc vigorous INSTRUMENTATION CAM
paign launched in Southern Louis
lana last week. under the auspices
Of the Southwestern Louisiana De-
velopment League. is a very cheer
ing "signs of the times" Though
Federal and State farming experts
and experienced cattle-growers from
other sections have been urging the
development of Louisiana's cattle in
dustry for many months, the move
ment against the cattle tick has
made less Roadway here than in
some Of the Commonwealth near
by. Madison is the only parish Of
ficially recognized as tick-free and
relieved of the Federal quarantine,
whereas nealy half of Mississippi is
rid of the pest and Tennessee is en-
tirely clear of quarantine. Voluntary
tests conducted by individual farm
ers in a number of parishes have
prepared the way for a Statewide
campaign. however, and Louisiana
still has a chance to beat Mississippi
to second place in the list of tick
freed Southern States. The progress
i've Mississippi farmers are handi-
capped by vigorous opposition to
cattle-dipping in several counties
and a recent outbreak of lawlessness
in one or two. 1t is earnestly to be
hoped that the campaign will meet
no such hindrances here.
The Times-Picayune has published
in its news and editorial columns
authenticated figures showing how
the cattle-dipping farmers have prof
tied directly by their adoption of
progressive methods. The gain in
weights and values of dipped cattle
is well established by tests in num-
Der Of States and widely separated
localities. A feature of the campaign
not so widely advertised or under
stood is its effect upon homeseekers.
Thanks to the bulletins of the Ag-
ricultural Department, most of the
Middle Western farmers know of
the opportunities offered by the
Southern States in the live stock
line, department with which they
are thoroughly familiar. This in
ducement appeals to them as cotton
and cane-growing never did. They
were naturally doubtful of their
ability to succeed from the start in
the cultivation of crops strange to
them. Just as naturally they are
confident of success in a line to
which they have been trained.
But they have been trained also
to shun the cattle tick, and there is
little doubt that the reported tick
infestation of the Central South i'm
presses them unfavorably. Letters
OF inquiry from prospective immi-
grants not infrequently referred to
the tick problem. DR.. Dalrymple,
in a recent communication to this
newspaper, quoted from letter
from Northern farmer who wanted
to know what parishes in Louisiana
were tick-free. Still more recently
The Times-Picayune received a conf
munication direct from q prospect
i've farm-buyer who had heard
of dynamiting of dipping watts in
Mississippi, and asked for definite
information regarding it, explain
ing that he did not wish to buy
land in country opposed to tick.
eradication. We are confident that
the elimination of the cattle tick
would prove mighty help to the
securement of desirable immigrants
from the Middle Western farms.
And while that incentive may not
appeal so strongly to Louisiana
farmers as the assurance of direct
benefits in healthier cattle and great
er profits, it is certainly worth con-
sideration by all who are interested
in Louisiana's development. Times
Picayune.
95 in the shade-and then some!