The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1919-07-24
COVE ERNMENT TO AID
IN FIGHTING TICKS

Washington, July 19.-Follow-
ing conference here between DIR.
w. f. Blackman, of Jacksonville,
member of the Florida State Live
Stock Sanitary Board, and Off
cials of the Bureau Of Animal In
dustry, United States Department
of Agriculture, it is announced by
the department that there will be
no interruption in its cooperative
work with the State authorities
to eradicate the cattle fever tick.
Despite the recent failure in the
Florida Legislature of proposed
statewide compulsory tick eradi-
cation law, the Bureau of Animal
Industry, as in the past, has allot-
ted a liberal quota of. funds for
anti-tick work in Florida, and the
Federal work will continue on the
plans that have been followed by
DR.. Il. M. Nighbert, the bureaus
inspector in charge in Florida.
1t is also announced that the
Federal funds will be expended
where they will do the ost good
in counties where the people ex-
press desire for tick eradication
and show a disposition to cooper
ate to the fullest extent in active
work. 1t is regarded as probable
that most work will be done in
the southern part, Of the state,
where cattle interests are larger,
and where the necessity for driv-
ing out the tick seems to have
been most steappreciated. An en-
tering wedge was made in this
section by the work that resulted
in the release of Lake and Orange
counties from Federal quaran-
tine; and adjoining counties hav-
ing seen the benefits at close
range, are said to be ready for
thorough campaigns against the
cattle parasite.
The bureau insists upon the
systematic dipping every IA days
of all cattle ina county receiving
the benefits of Federal funds.
Fourteen-day dipping is the one
plan that has proved successful in
other states, and the only plan up
on which credence or approval is
placed. 1t takes account Of the
life history Of the tick in such
way that reproduction is prevent
ed.
DR.. Blackman came to Wash
ington as the representative Of the
State Live Stock Sanitary Board
to ascertain what policy will be
pursued by the Federal Govern
ment in the Cooperative tick work
in Florida.
Click eradication offers the on
ly salvation for the live stock and
general agricultural interests of
said DR.. Blackman. "It
is an absolutely necessary prelim-
mary to the proper development
of our extensive cut over and
marsh lands. 1t will make Flori-
da a seller instead of an importer
Of fresh meat milk and butter and
it will provide a basis for the
and health of future
generations. F"
DR.. j. r. Mohler, chief of the
Tick Eradication Division of the
Bureau, said they hoped the de-
ision to continue Federal coop
ration in Florida would result in
he formulation by the state
authorities of a comprehensive
Ian of anti-tick work. They dis
laimed any intention to distate
tate legislation, but stated their
elief that Florida eventually will
nd the quickest and most effec-
i've way of getting rid of ticks is
Y statewide compulsory dipping
lws, which have proved or are
rowing their virtues in Mississip-
/, South Carolina, Louisiana,
exas and other states. By such
lws, dipping becomes a public
uty from which the Indifferent
r unscrupulous cattle owner can
OF escape, and, therefore, such a
attle- owner cannot maintain a