4 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
1899 
TUBERCULOSIS IN CONNECTICUT. 
An Experiment with Sick Cows. 
Prof. C. L. Beach, of the Connecticut Agricultural 
College, sends us an account of the outbreak of 
tuberculosis in the College herd. Out of 25 cows 
tested with tuberculin, 11 responded. An examina¬ 
tion of these diseased cows shows that it was not 
the most productive animals that were first to go. 
The theory has been that the best cows are likely 
to be least hardy, but this experience does not 
show it. How did the disease get into the herd? 
About 18 months ago, an eight-year-old cow was 
bought of a farmer. Last November, she began to 
refuse her feed, ran down rapidly, and died. It was 
found that she had a case of advanced consumption. 
The herd was at once tested, and eight cows re¬ 
sponded. Later three more followed. The theory is 
that this cow, when bought, had the disease, and 
spread it in the stable. 
What is to be done? Prof. Beach says: “Two 
courses are open to us in the management of the 
herd: First, to kill the infected animals; or, second, 
to isolate those which responded to the tuberculin 
test, and keep them under the best sanitary condi¬ 
tions until they show some physical signs of break¬ 
ing down. In order to form some idea as to the 
condition of the reacting animals, five of the eleven 
that responded were killed. The animals selected 
for slaughter were the ones that showed most mark¬ 
edly, physical signs of disease. Four of the five had 
twice responded to the tuberculin test. The autopsy 
showed that the disease was, in each case, in the 
earlier stages of development. The mediastinal 
gland in each animal was affected, and in addition, 
the bronchial gland in one case, and in two cases, 
one lung each—in one animal sligntly, and in the 
other quite seriously. The animals slaughtered 
showing so little affection it was then determined 
to isolate the rest of the reacting animals, and keep 
them under observation. 
“At present, the reacting herd is quarantined in a 
barn adjacent to the one occupied by the healthy 
herd. This barn is well ventilated, and admits 
plenty of sunlight. The infected herd occupy a 
separate yard, pasture, and watering place from the 
healthy herd, and at no point do the two herds come 
in contact. As little communication as possible is 
permitted between the barns. The attendant who 
milks, feeds, and cares for these animals, waits first 
upon the healthy herd, and later upon the infected 
herd, and only in this order. A special over-suit and 
shoes are provided to be worn by the attendant 
while at work in the stables occupied by the infected 
herd. More stringent rules in regard to communi¬ 
cation, even to complete isolation, could be made 
and enforced, but if this experiment is to be an ob¬ 
ject lesson of practical value, the conditions must be 
such as could be applied upon any farm.” 
We are glad that this experiment is to be tried. 
The day for senseless and indiscriminate slaughter 
of such cows has passed. Science must now prove 
its right to be called clarified common sense. 
Hoard’s Dairyman, in commenting on this case, 
makes the following pertinent remarks: 
What the world needs is more facts, and fewer theories 
and opinions. The Wisconsin Experiment Station once 
had a serious outbreak of tuberculosis in its herd, and m 
excess of zeal, slaughtered every animal. Sometime later 
it got permission to experiment with a private herd, and 
the results were so encouraging that it purchased the in¬ 
fected herd that it might have it at closer range, and 
under more definite control. If experiments in Wisconsin 
and Connecticut produce similar results, we shall begin 
to have some facts that it will be safe to tie to. 
The man who ties fast to a mere theory or opinion 
is like a ship chained to a floating anchor. What 
would be thought of a captain who did not know 
whether his anchor struck bottom or not? 
KILLING INSECTS BY DISEASE. 
Western Experiments with Chinch Bugs. 
A few years ago, much was said about the plan of 
spreading disease among Chinch bugs and other de¬ 
structive insects. In some western States, these in¬ 
sects were often so numerous that ordinary methods 
of fighting them were of little use. It was found that 
Chinch bugs were afflicted with a fatal disease, which 
rapidly spread among them. This opened a new way 
of fighting these bugs. The disease was cultivated in 
the laboratory, and sick and dying bugs were sent 
about the country. The following extract from a 
circular sent out from the Nebraska Experiment Sta¬ 
tion in 1896 will show how it was done: 
In order to keep up our supply of infected bugs, we 
must require that each person sending for the infection 
send us live bugs from the field. These should be pur 
into a tin box (a baking-powder box is excellent for this 
Purpose), without soil, and with a supply of green wheat 
and corn. The box should have a tight-fitting cover, and 
no holes need be made. We have found from experience 
that bugs reach us in the best condition when sent in this 
way. Upon receipt of infected bugs from the Station, a 
shallow box about 18x24x6 inches, with tight joints and 
lid, should be provided. Spread about one-half inch of 
loose, moist earth over the bottom of the box so as to 
insure more nearly out-of-door conditions. Sprinkle the 
whole inside of the box with water, and put in enough 
green wheat or corn to cover the bottom. Now put into 
this box which has been prepared, the infected bugs 
(whether dead or alive), scattering them over the bottom, 
and put in the box with them a largo quantity of live 
bugs from the field; a pint would not be too many for a 
box of the size suggested. A smaller box may be used 
for a smaller quantity of bugs. After the bugs have re¬ 
mained in the box for two days, remove half of them, 
alive and dead, and scatter them over that part of the 
field where the bugs are thickest; at the same time, re¬ 
plenish the infection box with more bugs from the field. 
Continue to scatter bugs from the infection box over the 
field at intervals of two days, until it Is seen that the 
bugs are dying rapidly all over the field. Keep the box 
moist by repeated sprinkling, and change the green food 
as often as it loses its freshness. 
The plan was to scatter the sick and dead bugs in 
the field, so as to spread the disease. Now, is this 
scheme practical, or is it a mere theory? 
Prof. Lawrence Bruner, of the Nebraska University, 
says: “The disease will work great havoc among the 
nose PEAR BUDDED ON KIEFFER IN AUGUST, 1898, SHOW¬ 
ING GROWTH MADE UP TO JUNE 30, 1899. Fia. 215. 
See First Page. 
bugs when the climatic conditions are exactly right, 
that is, when the atmosphere is damp and the tem¬ 
perature rather high or above 70 degrees. On the 
other hand, if the air is dry or the temperature too 
low, the disease does not work. We have quit experi¬ 
menting here in Nebraska, since we do not consider 
this method of fighting Chinch bugs any longer an 
experiment.” 
Director H. J. Waters, of the Missouri Experiment 
Station, says: “It appears, from a careful examination 
of several thousand reports from farmers in different 
sections of the State, covering nine seasons, that in a 
majority of instances, the disease had a good effect. 
In some instances, it is clear that it proved so fatal 
as almost to exterminate the bugs in localities. It is 
now definitely known that this disease does not de¬ 
velop and spread rapidly unless the weather condi¬ 
tions are favorable. In warm, moist weather, it de¬ 
velops rapidly, and is very infectious and fatal. In 
cool weather, either wet or dry, or in very dry 
weather, either warm or cool, it nas comparatively 
little effect. The farmers of our State are generally 
coming to understand these facts, and send for the in¬ 
fection as soon as the bugs threaten injury to their 
crops, with the expectation that, at least a few days 
of suitable weather for its development and spread 
559 
will occur before the bugs have increased sufficiently 
to do much damage. The fungus appears to live 
through most Winters out of doors, and to develop 
naturally when the season is particularly favorable. 
“At the Experiment Station, a room is set apart for 
tne propagation of this disease, in which we aim to 
keep such conditions as are favorable to its develop¬ 
ment. Fresh live Chinch bugs are sent in by the 
farmers in sufficient numbers to keep up our supply. 
A large number of the infected bugs covered with the 
characteristic white mold are dried turough the Sum¬ 
mer season, and in this form, the infection is carried 
through the Winter, and is ready for distribution be¬ 
fore the live bugs are sufficiently numerous in the 
Spring to enable the farmers to secure any quantity 
to send in. 
“It has never been claimed by this Station that this 
disease would exterminate or under all conditions 
hold the Chinch bugs in check. But after these years 
of experience, we are thoroughly convinced that it. 
does much good when the weather conditions are suit¬ 
able for its development, and does sufficient good 
every year to warrant the Experiment Station in 
maintaining this service.” 
DRYING SWEET CORN FOR SEED PURPOSES 
I have had no experience with sweet corn kiln- 
dried, and much doubt whether it could be so 
cured with safety to its vegetating properties. The 
highest temperature I have ever used was that ob¬ 
tained by drying it, one layer deep, on laths sup¬ 
ported on wire within a foot pf the ceiling of a room 
heated by stoves to a temperature comfortable to a 
person working there. My ordinary practice is to 
dry the corn on lath frames, which rest on hori¬ 
zontal strips of board secured to upl-ights. These 
horizontal strips are about eight inches apart, and 
the ears of corn are spread on the laths one ear 
deep. I find it convenient to have about eight of 
these layers, the first one being sufficiently high 
from the floor to enable cats to get at vermin. 
It is the practice of some of my fellow seedsmen 
to spread their corn about two layers deep on the 
floor of their drying-room, and again on other floors 
built above the natural one, by laying boards on car¬ 
penter horses, making the distance between the 
floors about 2 y 2 feet, sufficient to enable boys to turn 
the corn occasionally by crawling between the floors. 
When the variety is a late one, they expedite the 
curing of it by stripping the husks down (not off) 
the ear as it stands in the field, as soon as the corn 
is fully grown. After two or three days wnen thus 
treated, it will toughen sufficiently to be beyond 
material injury from blackbirds. 
In my own experience, corn on the floor is more 
likely than that dried on laths to be injured when 
moisture, either a rain or snow, finds its way into 
the dry house. The great snowstorm of November 
last, I found injured a portion of one lot so spread, 
while that on the laths above the floor cured per¬ 
fectly. Bats and mice are the great enemies of the 
seedsman, and occasionally, the red squirrel claims 
his share, and I am always glad to grant it to the 
interesting little fellow, for I find that he is superior 
to the cat in keeping rats and mice away. A single 
mouse will give an offensive smell to a whole barrel 
of ears, wherein he differs from the squirrel tribe. 
In the final preparing the corn for the seed mar¬ 
ket, every ear has to be carefully passed through 
the hand, some to be rejected because they were too 
green when gathered, others to have here and there 
a defective kernel picked out, or the black remnants 
left by the blackbirds shelled off, or kernels injured 
near their butts where rain soaked into the cobs be¬ 
fore they were gathered, and at times ears which 
depart from the type needed, are to be rejected, 
the various wastes frequently amounting to a sixth of 
the entire crop. j. j. h. oreqory. 
Marblehead, Mass. 
The chances seem to be that this year’s clover-seed 
crop will be short. The second growth of clover has 
made but poor growth, and in many places, is heading 
out when only a few inches high. The outlook for the 
seed crop, therefore, is dubious. 
A Cincinnati paper gravely announces that Georgia 
melon growers have crossed their fruit with the gourd, 
in order to make the rind harder, thereby improving the 
shipping qualities of the fruit, but injuring its flavor. 
We wonder whether these casehardened Georgia melons 
will have to be opened like an oyster, or whether we 
shall peel them with a hatchet, like a Hubbard squash. 
Prof. E. S. Goff stated, at the meeting of the Ameri ¬ 
can Association of Nurserymen, that last Winter showed, 
in a striking way, the superior hardiness of the raspberry 
as compared with the blackberry. In many cases, black¬ 
berries were totally destroyed, while raspberries were 
comparatively little injured. He says that the Loudon, 
among reds, and the Older, among blacks, have proved 
their claims for remarkable hardiness. He also says that 
it is not the severe cold that is usually most damaging to 
the Rubus fruits, but rather the alternate freezing and 
thawing to which they are exposed in comparatively mild 
weather. 
