752 A HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTIjE 



of the so-called Texas fever. Indeed, it is asserted 

 that the preliminary proofs in this most important 

 discovery were first furnished at the Santa Ger- 

 trudis Ranch. The Department of Agriculture, 

 then under the efficient direction of the late Secre- 

 tary Rusk, took the matter actively in hand, and by 

 a series of investigations established the truth of 

 what had previously been a mere theory in regard 

 to the mysterious origin of this southern plague. 

 At length the process of immunizing the northern 

 cattle against the disease was scientifically worked 

 out, after which the cattle intended for breeding 

 purposes could be shipped from above the fever 

 line with comparative safety. 



It was not until after the cattle on the King ranch 

 had been well graded up with Shorthorn blood that 

 the Hereford was introduced. Bulls, as well as 

 heifers, sired by the most noted prize-winning bulls 

 of the north were bought in large numbers, so that 

 at the present time probably 90 per cent of all the 

 cattle on the upper ranch are grade Hereford- 

 Shorthorns, the others being either purebred Short- 

 horns or purebred Herefords. Of the latter there 

 are now about 2,000 head, and of the former about 

 4,000, kept on the upper ranch for the purpose of 

 breeding bulls for the main herd. The best are re- 

 tained for this purpose and the remainder are sold 

 to be used on ranches in southern Texas and Old 

 Mexico. 



Some years ago the Laureles ranch was acquired 

 by the King estate from the Texas Land & Cattle 



