EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 89 



winter to such an extent as to produce a great loss. In one llock of a 

 thousand lambs, which had been fed during the winter, which was 

 visited this spring, ten per cent were so badly affected with the parasite 

 that at the end of the winter's feeding they were poorer, and would 

 bring less in the market than when bought last fall, and yet they had 

 consumed as much feed as others in the same pens which were in prime 

 condition. Other feeders of the State experienced the same loss, only 

 not to the same extent. Some of the feeders are discriminating against 

 Michigan lambs on account of these internal parasites. Inasmuch as 

 these disorders are taking on such grave proportions, I would respect- 

 fully recommend that as soon as possible a series of experiments be 

 started with the view of discovering some priictical remedy, which will 

 act as a preventive, in ridding the animal of the parasites before they 

 have accumulated in sufficient numbers to cause harm. 



Another condition which seems to be a menace to the stock interests 

 of the State is the disregard the average stock owner has in reference 

 to the spread of contagious diseases. This was plainly exemplified 

 two years ago in the case of the swine disorders. In most cases no pre- 

 cautions at all were taken to prevent the spread of the disease, neigh- 

 boring stockmen visited the affected drove freely, the sick animals were 

 allowed lo roam over the entire farm, or a large portion of it, and in 

 some cases the dead animals were left lying where they died, thus 

 forming a center for the spread of the disease throughout the entire 

 community. This condition may be due in part to carelessness, to 

 indifference, but it would seem as though it must be very largely d'le to 

 ignorance on the part of the average farmer; and if some systematic 

 and practical method of education could be inaugurated along this line 

 we believe that the stock interests of the State would receive an insur- 

 ance against the spread of contagious disorders of all kinds, which 

 would in time prove to be of great value. 



Very respectfully submitted, 



GEO. A. WATERMAN. 



Agricultural College, Mich., 

 June 23, 1900. 



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