344 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



like the ticky cattle they are subject to the restriction that they be 

 dipped in Beaumont crude petroleum or other crude oil to prevent 

 them from becoming infested in passing through the quarantined 

 district. And they must also be shipped in clean, disinfected cars, 

 and must not be driven through the infected area or unloaded there- 

 in except at points designated by this department. 



In consequence of the enforcement of these quarantine regula- 

 tions, Texas fever has been practically prevented in the noninfected 

 districts during the last several years, and little or no hardship has 

 been caused to those stockmen handling cattle from the infected 

 areas. Previous to their adoption the tick-infested district was rap- 

 idly extending northward, but since the quarantine line was estab- 

 lished and rational regulations enforced it has gradually been moved 

 farther south. This problem of still further reducing the infected 

 area is of the greatest importance to the cattlemen of the South in 

 fact, to those on both sides of the line and one which is receiving 

 special consideration by this department as well as by many of the 

 interested States. 



As an indication of what may be accomplished by hearty co- 

 operation between the State and Federal Governments, it is only 

 necessary to mention that as a result of a Congressional appropria- 

 tion of $82,500 in 1906 and $150,000 in 1907, the Bureau of Ani- 

 mal Industry, co-operating with the local authorities, succeeded in 

 cleaning up a large number of counties in several States, and has 

 released from quarantine the following areas from July 11, 1906, 

 to June 30, 1908 : 



The amount thus released covers 56,528 square miles, an area 

 larger than the entire State of Virginia. 



Congress again this year has shown its desire to sustain ade- 

 quately these operations by an appropriation of $250,000, so if the 

 States will do their part in appropriating money and enforcing satis- 

 factory laws in the infected districts, it would become merely a mat- 

 ter of a relatively short period of time before the fever tick would be 

 exterminated and southern cattle permitted to reach the more fa- 

 vorable markets of the North at any time of the year without re- 

 straint. Prices would then be higher, the demand greater, and the 



