290 WESTERN GRAZING GROUNDS AND FOREST RANGES 



ments made by several institutions, notably the Okla- 

 homa Experiment Station. 



Calves were kept under identical conditions. Earth 

 taken from the spot where an animal had died from 

 the disease was placed in their feed in such a way that 

 they must swallow it. Those with mouths free from all 

 cuts or injuries whereby the bacilli could enter the 

 system suffered no harm, while those having such cuts or 

 injuries died. Again, two animals were taken and one 

 given several gashes in its hide, deep enough to go 

 through to the flesh. Soil from the same place was 

 rubbed all over each calf, working it down into the 

 hair close to the hide. The animal with the cuts in 

 its side died of blackleg, while the other showed no 

 signs of the trouble. 



Every stockman knows that there are certain places 

 upon the western ranges where the disease is apt to oc- 

 cur, while just over a mountain range or across a river 

 it never has been known. Again, in fenced areas like 

 northern New Mexico pastures and in the Texas Pan- 

 handle fifty animals will die of it in a week, while in the 

 next pasture, only separated by a wire fence, stock will 

 graze in perfect health/ The simple explanation is that 

 the second pasture has never been inoculated by having 

 an animal with the disease die inside of it. 



If every animal that died of blackleg could be burned 

 or buried in quick lime it is probable that the disease 

 could be stamped out in time, but the trouble on open 

 ranges is that they die in the canyons and other un- 

 noticed spots where the escaping juices from the de- 

 caying body run out over the ground, scattering the 

 seeds of the disease. Years after a calf lies on the spot 

 and through some cut or open sore the dust from the 



