642 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



seems to mo that that is a different disease altogether, as you may bring 100 head here 

 and keep them all in separate places, and they will all get sick and not affect the 

 uarive cattle of this country ; so it seems what makes one sick does not make anotlier 

 sick, and they do not communicate it from one to another. 



If you can do anything to help us get cattle from this country Xorth you will be a 

 benefactor, and I think no detriment will result to those of any other locality. 



TOM GKEEX COUNTY. 



^[r. E. B. Bronson, president El Paso International StocJc Growers' Association. — Ii\ 

 reply to your (luestions I have to say: 



(1) That tine cattle from north of the south line of Kansas have been brought by 

 m vself and others to the Pecos River, in Tom Green County, Texas, and to my knowl- 

 eil^i^e uoue have died of acclimatization fever. In fact, our losses in introducing high- 

 grade bulls on that range are practically nothing. 



(2) That during the passage through our ranges on the Pecos River, in Tom Green 

 County, last summer, of Southern and Eastern Texas trail herds, we suffered a loss by 

 death of a considerable number of range cattle, the symptoms as nearly as we could 

 determine being identical with those of the so-called Spanish fever. The number so 

 lost, however, I am unable to state. 



Mr. Philip C. Lee, San Angelo. — In answer to j-our first inquiry, I person.ally know 

 of 50 head of Iiigh grade Plereford bulls brought herein the spring of 1S8:5, and turned 

 loose on the range. The loss was 40 per cent. Also 50 head of same grade and class 

 turned loose on the range, December, 1884. So far there is no loss. But these lots 

 were brought from Missouri. This spring has been cool, with plenty of rain, conse- 

 ciuently favorable for acclimating. 



I have known of several herds of Southern cattle brought here and turned loose on 

 the range in summer; have never known or heard of the native cattle being affected 

 by any disease from contact. Our cattle are free from diseases of all kinds as far as 

 we know. 



Mr. M. Z. Smissen, Colorado. — Being fully aware of the just feeling which prompted 

 the issue of your circular of the 2oth ultimo, and for which I most sincerely thank 

 you in my own behalf as well as in that of my neighbors, I hasten to answer the ques- 

 tions propounded as accurately as possible. 



(1) I have personally imported from Northwest Missouri, in all, Dl bulls within the 

 lasb three years. The first lot which I brought out in 1882 consisted of 23 head, of 

 which IG head were Shorthorns and the others Herefords ; they were grades. Of this 

 lot 7 Shorthorns died in the winter. Do not know what they died of. 



The next lot I brought out were G8 Herefords, shipped in the spring (March 1, 1885). 

 Only 3 of these died ; the balance all 0. K., and doing Avell. The cattle were not kexit 

 up, but are running around with the other cattle in the pasture. 



Mr. John McWilliams imported 30 Herefords from Southeast Missouri, and lost 1 

 from disease. 



Mr. R. R. Wade, 18 miles from here, brought 18 bulls from Ohio, and lost 10 head. 

 The feed gave out on him on account of railroad strike. 



Mr. McJIoj', of Sawyer, lost 21 out of 55 Durhams and Herefords mixed. The cat- 

 tle, when he brought them, had been three months in the coiintry, and it is supposed 

 that if they had been fed they would have pulled through. 



I bought 100 head of cows in Hill County and turned them loose here among 10,000 

 others, and experienced no disease. I know of 440 head of steers being biought up 

 from the coast in 1880 and turned loose here without any bad effect. Do not know of 

 any ease in which Southern or Eastern cattle have made any havoc here among the 

 native cattle of Tom Green. However, there have been but few Eastern cattle brought 

 here. 



Mr. M. B. Pitlliam, San Angela. — In response to yours of April 25, will say that in 

 Ift/'J I shipjied 35 Durham bulls from Kansas to this county, of which 7 died. The bal- 

 niice are doing well. The 7 died from causes unknown to me. I have known of cat- 

 tle being driven from various southern and eastern counties, and placed on my range 

 together with my native cattle, but never have known of any having died. 1 do not 

 think they would convey any disease to native cattle. 



Mr. lleuhen R. Sherwood, San Angelo. — I have just read your letter to Texas cattle- 

 nicn. I have been in the business of stock raising for over thirteen years. In reply 

 to your questions I will state my own experience. In the month of October, of last 

 year, I bought 5 thoroughbred bulls from a man in Dallas, which he had shipped 

 (Vom Kentucky in December, 1880. I .-^hipped them to Abilene, Taylor County, and 

 though considered acclimated cattle they took fever from standing in a shiiiping pen 

 into which had been unloaded a few days before a lot of cattle from Southeast Texas. 

 Three of them died, the other 2 1 saved by turning into a pasture stocked with Concho 

 River cattle. I don't consider it a safe investment to ship either cattle or horses to 

 this county from the North, aa some of almost every lot are sore to die. Horses are as 



