18 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



up to the end of the fiscal year, was compiled and printed for distri- 

 bution to breeders. 



Parasitic and other diseases. — Enlarged forces and more energetic 

 measures brought further progress in the eradication of the parasitic 

 diseases known as scabies or scab of sheep and cattle. These dis- 

 eases now linger in only a few small areas. Aid was extended to 

 the War Department and to State and local authorities in reduc- 

 ing and preventing losses from influenza or shipping fever of horses, 

 which has been very prevalent among animals collected for Army 

 purposes. Greater efforts were put forth also to control, reduce, and 

 prevent blackleg, anthrax, hemorrhagic septicemia, contagious abor- 

 tion, dourine, parasites, plant poisoning, and other diseases which 

 operate to reduce live-stock production. 



PREDATORY ANIMALS. 



The increasing control and destruction of predatory animals had 

 a direct bearing on live-stock production. During the year there 

 were captured and killed 849 wolves, 26,241 coyotes, 85 mountain 

 lions, and 3,462 bobcats and lynxes. It is estimated that the destruc- 

 tion of these pests resulted in a saving of live stock valued at 

 $2,376,650. 



The cooperative State campaigns organized to exterminate native 

 rodents, mainly prairie dogs, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, and 

 jack rabbits, which annually destroy $150,000,000 worth of food and 

 feed products, proved to be practical and of great immediate value 

 in increasing grain and forage production. To destroy ground 

 squirrels and prairie dogs on more than 3,295,000 acres of agricul- 

 tural lands in Montana, 15,865 farmers distributed 276 tons of 

 poisoned grain prepared under direction, while in North Dakota 

 34,796 treated once approximately 5,430,000 acres and a second time 

 over 7,000,000 acres covered in similar campaigns during the preceding 

 two years. In Idaho the work has been in progress in 22 counties, 

 with more than 4,000 farmers and officials assisting; and it is planned 

 to include every county in the State next year. Similar work was 

 organized and is in progress in Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, 

 Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California, Arizona, and New Mexico in 

 cooperation with agricultural college extension departments. State 

 councils of defense, and other local organizations. Several million 

 bushels of grain and much hay and forage were saved through these 



