TEXAS FEVER. 485' 



On rare occasions a small outbreak of Texas fever occurs north 

 of tlie quarantine line as a result of improperly disinfected cars, of 

 unscrupulous dealers breaking the quarantine regulations, or of 

 some accidental condition. Such damage, however, is slight, but 

 should be considered in summing up the loss occasioned by the fever 

 tick. 



The advertisement which a breeder obtains and the sales which are 

 made by having his stock in the show ring are usually lost to the 

 cattle raiser in the infected area who aspires to disi)lay his animals 

 in the North, as they are barred from most of these exhibitions. On 

 the other hand, the southern farmer is not given an opportunity to 

 see and be stimulated by the fine specimens of northern cattle which 

 might be shown at southern stock exhibits, for the reason that the 

 danger of contracting Texas fever is too patent to warrant such 

 exposure. A heavy expense is incurred by the Government and the 

 States in enforcing the regulations that apply to the quarantine line. 



Another loss which is indirectly sustained by the southern cattle 

 industry through increased freight rates is the cost, to the railroad 

 companies, of cleaning and disinfecting the cars that carry cattle 

 and in providing separate pens for them at various places. 



These statements are sufficient to indicate that the loss to the quar- 

 antined section from the cattle tick is something enormous. Such a 

 series of encumbrances as those recorded could be carried by the cat- 

 tle industry of no other section of the country than the South, whose 

 excellent pastures, rich soil, and salubrious climate are the only rea- 

 sons for its ability to overcome such obstacles in meeting the competi- 

 tion of the West; and it is the inherent capacity of the South for 

 greatly increasiiig its herds and enlarging its pasture lands that 

 makes the actual loss even secondary to the potential loss from 

 restrictions necessitated by the presence of the cattle tick. This 

 potential loss may be described as the difference between the value 

 of the cattle industry of the South to-day and the extent to which 

 this industry would be increased if farmer and ranchmen were 

 assured that their lands and cattle would not become infested with 

 fever ticks. Could this assurance be given, the beneficial effects 

 would extend over the entire country, because the market of the 

 northern breeder would thereby become greatly extended. 



These appalling losses and annual sacrifices of the cattle raisers of 

 the infected district can be entirely effaced, and this at a small pro- 

 portionate cost; for, with enthusiastic stockmen, satisfactory State 

 legislation, sufficient money, and a corps of trained inspectors, the 

 cattle tick may be exterminated, and every dollar expended in this 

 work will be returned many times during each succeeding year. 



TKo so-oalled period of incubation. — After the young ticks have 

 attached themselves to cattle the fever appears about 10 days there- 



