308 REPORT OF THE BUEEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



STATEMENTS OF TEXAS CATTLEMEN. 



. The following letters and statements have been received in response 

 to the foregoing circular letter: 

 Mr. J. H. Parrainore, Abilene, Taylor County: 



In reply to your questions I have this to say: That I have been ranching in Run- 

 nels County since 1879. I bought one Hereford bull in the spring of 1886 that was 

 just shipped into this county from Kansas. He did well and is doing well now. 

 On my ranch in Runnels County I have heard of some persons losing bulls, but 

 don't know how many. I don't know of any case where eastern cattle gave our 

 cattle any disease. 



Mr. A. Mansfield, Bandera, Bandera County: 



In reply to your questions I would say that I shipped 2 bulls and 1 calf from 

 Washington, Pa., during the latter part of August, 1880, and Mr. J. B. Davenport 

 shipped 1 bull at the same time. Out of the 4 head one died the calf in December, 

 though it was very poor when shipped. It was about four months old. The bulls 

 are living. Mr. J. B. McElroy shipped 3 head in September, 1 bull and 2 cows. The 

 cows are still living. The bull died in 1883. Mr. James Davenport shipped in this 

 winter from Tennessee 3 head, and they have all died. He says they died of Span- 

 ish fever. In the summer of 1886 a lot of cattle was shipped in from near Bee 

 County, and turned loose on the range with the native cattle, and none of them 

 were ever affected with any disease. There is a disease prevalent in the southern 

 part of this county called the stiff disease. The cattle become stiff in the hind legs 

 so they can hardly walk. 



Mr. M. E. Barnard, San Antonio, Bexar County: 



Your circular letter of the 13th ultimo, addressed "to the owners of Texas cattle," 

 was received this morning. In answer to question No. 1, I have to say that the 

 Nueces Land and Cattle Company of San Antonio, of which I am president, has, 

 during the last year, purchased 22 Polled Angus bulls and 48 Polled Angus heifer 

 calves and yearlings, and shipped them to Zavalla County, Texas. These cattle 

 \vere shipped from Kansas and were bred there. In acclimation 5 bulls and 3 heifers 

 died. These cattle were fed upon sorghum and Johnson-grass hay, well cured and 

 bright, and were allowed to graze upon a good green pasture at will. They were 

 also fed bran and grain. They were all housed. About 20 of them were taken sick 

 within fourteen days after their arrival. The methods of treatment and feed before 

 starting were recommeded by a veterinarian, who remained in charge most of the 

 time. Four of them died in one night, when their feed was changed to prickly pear, 

 chopped, and one pound of cotton-seed meal to the animal. From the commence- 

 ment of the last method of feeding the sick ones grew better and recovered, 

 and none of the others have sickened. Although several months have passed all of 

 them flourish and have fattened and are active and well. I know of several other 

 persons who have transported thoroughbred Polled Angus cattle from Kansas, Mis- 

 souri, and Illinois into Bexar County. Some were five and six years old, many 

 younger. Those who have fed them nothing but prickly pear and cotton-seed 

 meal have not lost an animal. Others who have fed them upon dry feed have lost 

 from 20 to 40 per cent. Mr. BenT. Cable, Mr. J. P. Devine, and Mr. Ed. Polk are 

 among the persons who have imported these cattle, and all live at San Antonio, in 

 Bexar County. 



In answer to your second question I can only say that from my OAvn knowledge I 

 do not know of any persons or companies who have purchased and brought any 

 cattle from eastern counties in Texas to any of the counties named in your circular 

 letter, and therefore can not give further answer to your second question. 



You know that the prickly pear is indigenous to the soil of western Texas, and 

 cotton-seed meal is a well-known article of commerce. It is my opinion that 

 thoroughbred cattle imported from any of the Northern States will' become accli- 

 mated without serious loss, provided they are sheltered for a few months and fed 

 entirely upon prickly pear and cotton-seed meal, not exceeding one pound of meal 

 per day to the animal, and all the prickly pear they will eat. 



Mr. Geo. H. Adams, Brown wood, Brown County: 



I don't know of any bulls having been shipped to this section from the section 

 named. I have known of cattle being driven to this section from the east and per- 

 mitted to range with the stock here, but no disease was contracted or developed in 

 either, but both thrived alike. 



