REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 13 



in the number of swine since the census year 1899. The number of 

 sheep has continued to decline, but only to a slight extent. The num- 

 ber of animals slaughtered and the quantity of meat products pre- 

 pared under Government inspection during the past fiscal year are the 

 largest in the history of the service ; yet this heavier slaughtering has 

 been accompanied by an increase in the remaining stock of animals. 



In December, 1913, a committee of experts was appointed to make 

 a thorough survey of the meat situation. As a result of this study, 

 the department recently issued a series of illuminating reports. They 

 furnish information of value not only to the public but also to the 

 department and suggest more definitely the lines of attack which 

 the department should follow in its efforts to increase the meat 

 supply. 



The activities of the department have taken two principal direc- 

 tions — (1) checking and eliminating diseases and parasites and (2) 

 increasing and improving stock raising by extending the industry 

 where conditions are favorable and by pointing the way to better 

 breeding and feeding. 



COMBATING STOCK DISEASES. 



The eradication of the southern cattle tick is proceeding more 

 rapidly than ever before and is opening up for beef and dairy 

 production a large territory. During the past fiscal year 31,358 

 square miles were released from quarantine and, in addition, 9,493 

 square miles were released on September 15, 1916. Within the past 

 three years the quarantine has been removed from 106,810 square 

 miles, making a total of 294,014 since the work was begun in 1906. 

 This represents a territory greater than the combined areas of South 

 Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. 

 More than 40 per cent of the original tick-infested territory has been 

 cleared, and therefore the direct losses, originally estimated at $40,- 

 000,000 annually, are being greatly reduced. 



The diseases known as sheep scabies and cattle scabies likewise are 

 being eliminated rapidly from the Western States. During the fiscal 

 year 1916, 43,243 square miles were released from quarantine for 

 sheep scabies and 12,691 for cattle scabies. At present only 286,398 

 square miles remain under quarantine for sheep scabies and 3,817 

 for cattle scabies. 



