1907.] 



Price of Wool. 



491 



highest percentage (30) occurred amongst a lot of imported 

 Welsh cattle. 



It would seem that the disease is most prevalent from 

 November to June in stores which have been imported into 

 Norfolk in October. Apparently the imported cattle develop 

 the disease in a period of from one to three months after 

 importation into the infected area, and it may be presumed 

 that they contract the disease by being fed on infected forage. 

 No evidence is forthcoming that the disease has ever been 

 established on a hitherto clean farm by the importation of 

 infected animals. On account of the progressive nature of 

 the lesions, however, and of the fact that at certain stages of 

 the life history of the parasite (Actinomyces) the disease can 

 be inoculated, it would be unsafe to conclude that a diseased 

 animal does not indirectly help to spread Actinomycosis. 

 It is highly probable, however, that its direct influence in 

 this respect is very small. 



It has long been accepted as a fact that the Actinomyces 

 is a parasite on certain kinds of forage, especially barley 

 straw. Some of the replies received indicate that the experience 

 of farmers accords with this view, for it is said that the 

 disease is most prevalent in what are termed " mildew years," 

 and on mildew areas, i.e., damp pastures. Some farmers 

 have never seen the disease in locally bred calves, but the 

 experience of others is the reverse. The view that locally- 

 reared cattle resist Actinomycosis is untenable, and any owner 

 having infected animals would be well advised to isolate them. 



The disease is frequently successfully combated by ad- 

 ministering iodide of potassium under expert supervision as 

 regards the dose and length of time the drug is to be adminis- 

 tered. Farmers who have cattle suffering from this disease 

 should consult a veterinary surgeon. 



The rise which has taken place in the price of British wool 

 since 1902 has probably surpassed in its rapidity and extent 

 any change in agricultural values which 

 Price of Wool. has occurred during the whole period 

 since what is usually termed the " de- 

 pression" set in. It appears that in the short period of three 



