The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-18
Congratulates People
of South Carolina
Secretary of Agriculture Sends
Letter to Governor or Oc-
casion Of Releasing State
From Federal Cattle Tick
Quarantine.

| Washington, Dec. 11.-Congratula.
tons to the people of South Caroline
on their achievement in eradicating
the cattle fever tick to such an eXten;
that the federal quarantine against
the shipment of cattle from quaran-
Der l are contained in a letter from
Secretary of Agriculture D. F. Hous-
ton to Hon. Richard I. Manning, gov
ernor Of South Carolina.
The secretary's letter follows:
'.The people of South Carolina, and
especially of the ten counties TO be
released on December from the fed
eral quarantine against the cattle few
er tick, are to be congratulated on
their success in eradicating this de-
structive insect enemy of the cattle
industry in the South. This further
action removes the quarantine restric-
tions from the entire State. This is:
important not only to your State but
also to the entire country, especially
the tick infested portions, since it
means a broad avenue of free terri
tory to the Atlantic Ocean. In 1917,
the State of Mississippi was released
from quarantine, making the first
strip of uninfested territory from the
interior to the Gulf These achieve
ments, coupled with the fact that in
both 1917 and 1918 all previous rec
ords in amount of territory cleared OF
the tick have been broken, furnish
ground for belief that, within few
years, the parasite Will be driven from
American soil. This will result in
great benefit not only to southern live
stock raising and general agriculture,
but to the nation as a whole For a
considera Die period. as 7 pointed out
in q recent statement to the farmers
and agricultural forces of America,
the world will have need particularly
Of a larger supply than normal Of
live stock, and especially of fats. We
should not fail, therefore. to adopt
every feasible means of economically
increasing our live stock products.
AS a part of our program, we should
give due thought to the eradication
and control Of all animal diseases, one
OF the most destructive forms of
which is carried by the cattle fever
tick.
With cattl. fever conquered and
with troublesome quarantine restric-
tions eliminated, nothing should
hamper the free interchange of live
stock between the northern feeding
regions and the farms of South Car
Dina. The farmers of the State are
nov free to develop the dairy industry
upon plane of profitable production.
They are also free to sell their beef
cattle on their merits in competition
with all other ticil-free animals in
stead of being required to dispose Of
them for what they will bring for i'm
mediate slaughter.
ITO people Of South Carolina be-
longs the fullest credit for their en-
terprise in providing dipping vats and
the necessary arsenical solutions,
animals regularly, and their determi-
nation to let nothing interfere with
work Of eradication. I hope that they
viii be equally diligent in seeing
that nothing is omitted to prevent
the reappearnce Of the tick in the
State.
1T has been a, pleasure and a
privilege to cooperate with Clemson
College and your other State and So
ca agencies in this important and
;uccessful undertaking.
Respectfully,
ID. F. Houston,
.tSacret q rv ~