100 ANNUAL EEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



EXTENT OF TUBERCrLOSIS SHOWN BY COUNTIES. 



Through close cooperation of such officials the approximate per 

 cent of tuberculous cattle by counties throughout the United States 

 has been learned. This information, graphically shown on a map, 

 gives a basis for planning future work. Bovine tuberculosis, accord- 

 ing to the map, exists in about 46 per cent of the total area of the 

 United States to an extent not over 1 per cent. In a large additional 

 area the infection does not exceed 3 per cent. The remainder has 

 larger proportions of tuberculous cattle, in a few counties more than 

 25 per cent. Such information will help greatly in stemming the 

 further spread of the disease, especially by directing attention to 

 sources of greatest danger, and the outlook for the complete though 

 gradual eradication from the areas least infected is most encouraging. 



AREA TESTING MEETS WITH FAVOR. 



The increasing recognition, both b}' officials and cattle owners, of 

 the effectiveness of tuberculin testing under the area plan is an- 

 other encouraging feature of the work. More than 150 counties had 

 either completed or were engaged in area tests at the end of the fiscal 

 year, and nearly 300 additional counties are arranging for testing all 

 the cattle within their boundaries. This is more than a tenfold 

 increase over the preceding year. 



Experience has shown that area testing is not only more economical 

 and more warmly received than testing scattered herds, but also that 

 it builds up a very strong sentiment in the locality for maintaining 

 the cattle in the county on a strict tuberculosis-free basis. Area 

 testing also enlists the support of progressive local veterinary practi- 

 tioners, gives greater confidence in local milk supplies, and facilitates 

 the disposal of reactors found. 



TICK ERADICATION MAKES PROGRESS. 



The outstanding development in eradicating cattle-fever ticks from 

 the United States during the year was the active support this work 

 received in Texas. The number of cattle dippings in that State shat- 

 tered all records since systematic tick eradication started in 1906. 

 During June, the last month of the fiscal year, dippings in Texas ex- 

 ceeded 6,600,000 and about 10,000 vats were in operation in that State. 

 These results were possible largely through cooperation with the 

 bureau by State and local officials and livestock owners. 



Territory released from quarantine during the year because of 

 eradication of ticks aggregated 29,563 square miles. This area was 

 in four States — Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas — 

 about three-fourths of the total area released being in Texas. 



In some portions of the South the work met temporary reverses 

 through opposition by lawless elements. Numerous vats were dyna- 

 mited and violence was threatened or used against inspectors enforc- 

 ing the dipping of cattle in accordance with State law. Through 

 the employment of ex-service men as inspectors and giving them 

 means of protection when necessary, the work has progressed even 

 in such localities. In numerous cases dynamited vats have been re- 

 built by the persons who destroyed them when they learned of the 



