88 THE BUTTER INDUSTRY IN UNITED STATES [^ i2 



states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, may be ex- 

 pected ultimately to obtain success in this important branch 

 of husbandry ", 1 The first part of this statement is too 

 emphatic in view of our progress in the dairy industry. 

 The separator has made the care of the raw material for 

 the manufacture of butter less difficult than it was for- 

 merly. Methods of control such as the general use of ar- 

 tesian wells, and mechanical refrigeration, have also since 

 been developed and tend to supplement natural facilities. 



CLIMATIC INFLUENCES 



There are three important aspects of the effect of climate 

 upon the dairy industry. The first is the effect upon cattle ; 

 the second, the effect upon shedding and feed ; and the third 

 the effect of the keeping qualities of the dairy products, 

 making necessary the use of mechanical refrigeration in 

 warm sections of the country. 



The greatest disadvantage that a warm climate offers to 

 cattle is found in the fact that warm weather breeds numer- 

 ous pestering insects. Gnats, common flies, sand flies, ticks, 

 and other insects are liable to annoy the milch cow a great 

 deal more in warm than in cold climates. The most mali- 

 cious of these insects is the cattle tick. Until recently all 

 of the southern states from Virginia to Texas and includ- 

 ing southern California had been infected with cattle ticks. 

 These ticks frequently infest cattle in the south in such 

 great numbers "as to stunt their growth and seriously 

 affect their condition ". 2 They also spread the disease 

 known as Texas fever among cattle. The U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture in cooperation with the state govern- 

 ments has been making efforts to eradicate this enemy of 



1 Reprinted in the Ohio Agricultural Report for 1858, p. 299. 

 1 Vide, Circular 187, Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department 

 of Agriculture. 



