The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-03-26
RESPONSIBILITY OF PRESENT
DAY CONDITIONS RESTS ON MAN
WHO HARBORS CATTLE TICK
Knapp Veterinarian, Tells Cattlemen at Conyen
ton i'm Gainesville That Destruction of Tick Is the
Only Salvation of Industry In Florida.

analysis of the problem now confront
ing the cattle industry OF Florida and
ask ourselves a few questions;
"First-Has the cattleman profited
by the results obtained through his ef
forts to defeat tick eradication in Flor
ida?
Second-Has the cattle industry re-
ceived a backset and the cattlemen
suffered a financial loss because OF the
suspension of tick eradication work?
Thirds the cattle fever tick and
the question of it's eradication a factor
in the present dilemma Of the cattle
industry of Florida?
MY answers to the above questions
are based upon knowledge gained
from close association with cattlemen
forces of the state and federal gov
eminent for the past six years
Assuming that the condition of the
cattle industry OF Florida has been
benefited by the suspension OF tick
eradication work, it would be logical
TO expect that some material advantage
has been derived by the cattlemen.
Let us see: Counties are no longer re-
quested or required to construct Dip
ping watts. This is a distinct saving in
taxation.
THE cattlemen are no longer re-
CURED to dip their cattle before ship
ping or for other purposes. This is a
relief and a saving in time and money.
THE markets of Florida are all open
for the receipt OF native or ticky cat
tle-there is no discrimination.
Cattle are not handled every four
teen days and there are no losses sus-
tained from improper dipping.
''The cattle are multiplying on the
range.
Question No 2-Real wealth comes
primarily from the soil, and as animal
husbandry is the major part OF agri-
culture; ], therefore, take the position
that any movement that tends to re-
strict the cattle market of Florida re-
tards the agricultural development of
this state, and in direct proportion to
the restriction of markets the cattle
men sustain a financial loss.
Federal agents to certify to inter
state movements are not available any
more. Cattle must stay in Florida
The real livestock markets of con-
tinental America are closed to cattle
of this state, and will remain closed
as long as organized opposition to tick
eradication prevails in Florida.
Permit me to request your serious
consideration of this question: Do not
the privileges obtained through sys-
tematic tick eradication work offset
and er-balance the advantages of
no-tick work and the present outlook
for tn ceattle industry of Florida?
Question No. 3-The cattle tick is
a parasite and obtains his living by
sucking blood from your cattle. Five
per cent 90 of Florida cattle die an
nually from Texas fever, a disease of
cattle Transmitted by the cattle tick,
Cattle cannot be successfully in1mun-
lied against Texas fever; therefore. it
was necessary to find some other
means to curb the ravages of this dis
ease. This has been accomplished by
quarantine restrictions and tick Grad
ication, through the medium Of the
dipping vat.
The cattle tick has been eradicated
in over seventy per cent COO of the
area originally quarantined, and it is
my honest opinion that as long as a
tick remains in Florida there will be
restrictions against the movement of
ticky cattle.
There are two, and only two rea-
sons, for the present condition of the
cattle industry of Florida. First-The
cattle tick' second, the desire of the
cattle owners to keep the tick.
There are a number of people in
Florida who do not believe that the
cattle fever tick can be eradicated;
therefore, take this opportunity to
outline for your information the his
torical significance OF the Margaropus
Annulatus, or the common COW tick.
as we are pleased to term it,
Il do not believe that the great
Creator, when he made Florida, placed
upon the soil OF this state the cattle
tick. 1 base this contention upon the
study of the history of nations. The
cattle tick has never been found in
countries, except where cattle have
been imported from countries where
the tick was prevalent, and today the
cattle tick is only found in those