Tensas gazette., 1917-12-28

about 1907. The small dipping vat for arsenical
dipping of cattle was first used In Alabama by a
federal inspector In 1909. He modified the large
vats previously used in oil dipping Of animals in
interstate commerce previous to 1909 Swabbng
and spraying by hand were the methods gen.
orally used In the eradication work. The vat
method has been found to be not only effective
and speedy, but to be comparatively inexpensive.
In September. 1917, 21,O95 public or private
vats were available in ten Southern states. The
work in 338,67S square miles Of territory was
supervised by 212 inspectors of the bureau Of
animal industry; s51 state inspectors and 1909
county inspectors.
powerful aid in the tick fight has been the
passage of state laws enabling effective federal
cooperation. In 1906 when the first federal ap-
preparation to naugurate a plan of cooperation
with states made, such laws were In exis-
tence In only Southern states-Virgnia,
North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Oklahoma and California. Since then laws have
been enacted In Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi. South Carolina and Texas.
The only state affected by ticks and missing from
this list is Missouri, In which only four counties
were infected in 1906, and which is now COM
pletely free.
Federal cooperation does not mean that the
national government builds the watts nor supplies
the money and materials with which to dip the
tick and Kill 1t. But it does mean that the bu-
reau Of animal industry of the United States de-
partment Of agriculture furnishes trained men to
supervise the work Of dipping and show the peo-
pie Of any county how to make beginning Ap-
probation Of this cooperation is shown by the
fact that every state and most counties in the tick
regions have appropriated public moneys to take
advantage of the scientific and practical knowl-
edge placed at their disposal by the federal gov
ernment.
To survey adequately the benefits from tick
eradication glance must be taken at the baneful
Of inf Cott1 only Iia from,
the fever transmitted by the tick, but they lose
greatly in blood, meat milk production and
reproductive power. The ticks suck the blood
that should go to make beef and milk prevent
sale of infested cattle outside the quarantine
area except for immediate slaughter and at al
most any price the buyer chooses to pay; and
closes the door to importation of better stock to
improve the quality of a herd, for new cattle
brought into tcky country are easy and luscious
prey for the tick.
Many Cattle Raisers Praise Fight Against Tick.
Benefits from tick eradication are told in hun
dreds of letters received annually by the bureau
Of animal industry. The consensus of opinion in
these letters indicates that the average cattle
freed of ticks enhanced in value about SO q
head, weigh one-fifth heavier, grade one-fourth
better and are safe from cattle fever and from
shrinkaCe on account of ticks. The letters also
show that where the tick is dipped out the South
ern cattle industry is growing that there is more
improved blood that the milk yield Of cows is in
creased about One-fourth and that there Is an in
crease Of forage crops and sos.
Here some why, in the opinion Of
department Of agriculture officials, tick eradica
ton is important. especially at the present time
and why the fight now half won must go on to
complete victory:
Q) Good agriculture is dependent upon animal
husbandry. and of the domesticated animals cat
tie the leaders foN fertilizer purposes; (2) the
supply of beef is not keeping pace with the de-
mand and must he increased to meet the needs
Of America and its allies In the war; (3) cotton
production, menaced by the boil weevil, must be
kept up by cattle fertilizer and must be supple
mented by cattle raising in order that the cattle
farmer may thrive and be able to raise cotton at
ALL (4) the cattle business Of the South, long a
negligible item in most states because of depres-
sion caused by the ticks can be made the equal
of that Of any country.
The progress made so far In tick eradication Is
taken to mean that every square mile In the South
will be freed from the cattle tick within a few
years. From the areas released from tick domina-
ton and quarantine will go forth to the still
infested not only the inspiration Of accomplish
ment. but also the practical help Of the federal
inspectors released from work in the counties
Just freed and ready for labors In new fields.
THE REVERSE