24 
A. E. STEVER. 
is not interested in cattle raising and very little attention is paid 
by him to the breeding of other livestock on the farm. 
I believe you will agree with me that in considering the nat¬ 
ural resources of the State we should have many more good 
cattle, also many more veterinary practitioners. 
Tick eradication, in my opinion, is really the foundation of 
progressive agriculture, because we need more and better cattle. 
If the farmer could raise cattle profitably, surely he would realize 
the benefits to be derived from saving barnyard manure and 
thereby increase the fertility of the soil; this really should make 
the farmer more prosperous and independent. 
. A great deal has been said lately in the various newspapers 
throughout the State, also the agricultural papers, regarding “ the 
back-to-the-farm movement.” Cattle breeding has been given 
some attention, but not what it deserves. 
Corn shows are being held, and I believe every prize acre of 
corn in the “ Boys’ Corn Clubs ” was liberally supplied with 
barnyard manure. I am also sure that soil liberally fertilized 
will combat some of the various plant diseases of cotton, because 
it will cause it to mature much quicker. 
I am surprised (not agreeably, though) at the very little 
interest manifested in the work of tick eradication by the prac¬ 
ticing veterinarians, especially those located in the infected areas. 
It seems as though they have given this important subject very 
little consideration and thought, in fact, they generally lent a 
deaf ear, just like the natives in the infected territory, who in¬ 
variably say, “ We have seen ticks all our lives,” and, of course, 
add, “ We expect to continue seeing them until we die.” 
I believe one purpose of this association is to better the gen¬ 
eral existing conditions, especially that pertaining to the livestock 
industry of our State; therefore, as Dr. Bahnsen so aptly states 
on the program of this meeting, “ Your interest is at stake. 
Parasites alone expect to reap where they do not sow.” And, 
gentlemen, it is your duty, each and every one of you, not only 
for the sake of humanity, but you owe it to the veterinary pro¬ 
fession, to assist in this great work of tick eradication, in order 
