50i! 
T FT LD RURAL NE W-YORKER 
May 2!), 
Live Stock and Dairy 
THE “CATTLE GRUB.” 
On page 216 we printed a statement 
from the Colorado Agricultural Col¬ 
lege regarding the "grub” so often 
found in the backs of cattle. Many 
farmers at once challenged the state¬ 
ment. Here is one sample letter: 
I was reading on page 216 inquiry from 
several readers how grubs get in the backs 
of cattle, and it is answered in “News 
Notes” from the Colorado Agricultural Col¬ 
lege. A more preposterous impossible thing 
1 am frank to confess I never saw in print, 
excepting Gulliver’s Talcs or perhaps Ara¬ 
bian Nights, and they are hardly compar¬ 
able to tiiis story of how a fly lays bis eggs 
on the ends of hair of the flanks and heels 
of the cattle, and are licked off by them 
and taken into the stomach or neck, whence 
they in time, six months or more, bore 
their way to the outer skin of the “crit¬ 
ter’s” back and then make boles for vent. 
When a college stands responsible for such 
statements as this. I think it high time 
some old ba.vseed sots them right, and tolls 
the truth, so the papers will fit the cow, 
for even this explanation won’t fit the ordi¬ 
nary hot fly, as it describes him in “Nows 
Notes”; and in the Middle and New Mug- 
land States this cause of grubs is so well 
known that almost any school child can 
tell the cause of them. Almost any bright, 
hot, sunny day from middle June to last of 
August a very large black fly may be seen, 
called the cattle fly or beetle. It lias a 
very sharp proboscis like the mosquito, with 
which they can puncture the toughest hide, 
Every time they light on a critter they 
draw blood and fill themselves to an alarm¬ 
ing extent if allowed to stay long enough 
to do so. In the puncture which they thus 
make after sucking the blood they lay one 
egg. which fully matures usually the fol¬ 
lowing June unless removed, and falling to 
the ground the grub at once burrows, like 
the Potato beetle larva, for a very short 
time, when he again comes forth with 
wings, a full-fledged fly, ready again for 
gore and propagation for coming season. I 
have, as many others, I presume, shot 
squirrels with those grubs in their backs, 
and they were apparently half eaten, as 
they would be poor and never so active as 
those of their kind more fortunate. 
M. M. p. 
At the time ef his death Prof. M. V. 
Slingerland was preparing an answer. 
The facts have now been gathered by 
his assistant, Mr. Crosby, and here 
given : 
According to the older theory with 
which we are all familiar, it was 
thought that the parent flv lays her 
eggs directly under the skin along the 
back by piercing the hide with her ovi¬ 
positor. While this is a very simple 
explanation of how the grubs get un¬ 
der the skin, there are one or two facts 
which make it appear rather improb¬ 
able. In the first place, it has been 
known for many years that the ovi¬ 
positor of the fly is entirely unsuited 
for piercing the skin, since it is fleshy 
and blunt at the tip. Furthermore, an 
agent for Dr. C. V. Riley, former U. 
S. Entomologist, was able actually to 
see the eggs deposited. They are glued 
to the hairs by one end as shown 
above, and are found principally on 
the heels, legs and sides of the animal. 
By a more recent theory, first pro¬ 
posed in 1801 by Dr. Cooper Curtice, 
and now held by most students of the 
subject, the eggs are supposed to be 
licked off by the animal and are swal¬ 
lowed. They, hatch either in the gul¬ 
let or in the first stomach, the young 
maggots bore their way through the 
walls of the stomach or gullet, and in 
time find their way to the back. Dr. 
Curtice found that in November the 
maggots appeared in numbers in the 
tissue surrounding the walls of the 
gullet, where they remained for some 
time, and did not appear on the back 
till the last of December. Soon after 
they began to be found on the back 
they disappeared from the vicinity of 
the gullet. These facts were highly 
suggestive, but Dr. Curtice was not 
able to give many facts as to the path 
taken by the maggots in their journey 
from the gullet to the back. He was 
merely able to cite cases where the 
grubs were found in various parts of 
the body, such as the thoracic cavity, 
the connective tissue under the skin, 
the spinal canal, and in connective tis¬ 
sue near the spleen. While these facts 
make the theory look highly probable 
they do not fully prove it, and Dr. 
Curtice confessed at the time that it was 
based in part on circumstantial evi¬ 
dence. 
As far as we are aware no further 
observations have been made in this 
country on the habits of the larva of 
this pest. In Europe, however, some 
excellent work has been published re¬ 
cently. Although these observations 
were not made on the same species of 
warble fly as we have in America, yet 
they are of interest as showing what 
we may expect to find when the habits 
of the maggot of the American form 
are studied in detail. Dr. Hermann 
Jost, of the Royal Veterinary Institute 
of Leipsic, Germany, published an elab¬ 
orate account of his observations on 
the habits of the maggot of the Euro¬ 
pean hot fly which strongly confirm the 
theory proposed by Dr. Curtice. He 
found that directly after the flight pe¬ 
riod of the flies the young maggots 
occur abundantly in the connective tis¬ 
sue surrounding the gullet and first 
stomach, that they remain there as a 
rule from July till November. ’ They 
then wander through the fatty and con¬ 
nective tissue of the body, following 
various paths, but finally reach the 
spinal canal in December. They enter 
the spinal canal through the openings 
between the vertebrae, and remain in 
the tissues surrounding the spinal cord 
until some time in March. They then 
leave the spinal canal by the same 
openings, and migrate to the skin 
along the back, where they produce 
the well-known warbles. Jost himself 
never found more than 15 maggots in 
the spinal canal of one animal, but an¬ 
other European investigator examined 
one containing as many as 57. From 
the above brief review it will he seen 
that while both for the American and 
European warble fly the life history 
is fairly well known, there is one im¬ 
portant break. No one has ever seen 
the animal lick off the eggs, or found 
EGGS OF THE OX WARBLE. 
either the eggs or larvae in the gullet, 
or while boring through the wall. 
Recent experiments carried on in 
Ireland by Prof. G. H. Carpenter 
would seem to show that in some 
cases, at least, the grubs must enter 
the body in some other way than by 
the mouth. In this experiment six 
calves were muzzled so they could 
neither lick themselves nor other ani¬ 
mals, and were allowed to run in the 
pasture with the other cattle during 
the daytime throughout the Summer. 
They were fed at night, but were so 
tied between three stakes that they 
could not lick any part of the body. 
In spite of these precautions all but 
one of the calves became infested, the 
average number of warbles for each 
animal being a little over 15. Prof. 
Carpenter is inclined to believe that 
after hatching the young maggots bore 
through the skin and then wander to 
the walls of the gullet and spinal canal 
before finding their way to the back. 
In cases where the evidence is so con¬ 
flicting we may well go slow with our 
theories and await further observations 
and experiments. 
The parent bot-fly is shown in cut 
below. It is about one-half inch in lengh 
and of a blackish color; the body is 
PARENT OF THE CATTLE GRUB. 
clothed with black and yellowish or 
brownish hairs. They move rapidly 
on the wing, and being rather incon¬ 
spicuous attract little attention. The 
large black horse-fly is very frequently 
mistaken for the real culprit. The 
maggots from which this fly develops 
live in water, and are in no way con¬ 
nected with the production of warbles. 
The surest and safest method of com¬ 
bating this pest is to squeeze out and 
crush all the grubs when the warbles 
become ripe in the Spring. If this 
method be followed persistently it will 
greatly lessen the number of" flies for 
the following season, but as they are 
good fliers and may travel some dis¬ 
tance, owners should co-operate in 
treating cattle over as large an area as 
possible. The application of substances 
to kill the grubs in the warbles is not 
so effective, and is liable to make the 
back sore and render the animal un¬ 
sightly. C. R. CROSBY. 
That girl is afraid of her shadow,” 
said the young woman. “Well, ans¬ 
wered the young man, “if it’s a shadow 
cast while she is wearing one of these 
new-fashioned hats I don’t blame her.” 
—Washington Star. 
The teacher had been reading to the 
class about the great forests of America. 
“And now, boys,” she announced after¬ 
wards, “which one of you can tell me 
the pine that has the longest and sharp¬ 
est needles?” Lip went a hand in the 
front row. “Well, Tommy?” “The 
porcupine, ma’am.”—Credit Lost. 
Our Annual Sale of JERSEY CATTLE 
will be held DECORATION DAY, MONDAY, MAY 31st, 1909. 
Wo shall sell about 130 head of as good cattle as we have ever imported. The offering will 
include a large number of bulls, cows, heifers and calves of both sexes and all ages. They 
represent the cream of Island cream and Island quality. Connoisseurs tell us that this is as 
good a lot of cattle as we have ever sold. 
Send for catalogue which “tells the tale,” mentioning The Rural New-Yorker. 
T, JS». Cooper db “Linden Grove,” COOPERSBURG, Pa. 
L. F. Herrick, Sale Manager. 
DEATH TO HEAVES! ESK! 
^GUARANTEED 
Heave, Cough ano Dis¬ 
temper Cure. A Velcriuary 
Remedy for Wind, Throat and 
Stomach Troubles. It acts oil 
SF* the Kespirativc and Digestive 
Organs, their Nerve Supply and ou 
the Blood. •. 
25 years in successful use proves 
its worth for Heaves, Coughs, Indigestion, 
Epizootics. SI.00 per cau, at dealers, or sent direct prepaid. 
Bend for booklet, valuable information, and strong endorsements. 
THE NEWTON REMEDY CO.,Toledo, Ohio 
SHETLAND PONIES 
An unceasing source of pleasure and robust 
health to children. Safe. Inexpensive to keep. 
Stallions and mares for breeding. Complete out¬ 
fits. Write today for our beautifully illustrated 
free catalogue which tells all about them. 
BELLE MEADE FARM, DEPT. S. BEDFORD, MASS. 
18 REGISTERED PERCHERON STALLIONS 
From One to Five Years. 
Bred from the best imported stock, closely related 
to tee most famous show horses of the breed. 
Several will make ton borses, and will be priced at 
their real worth. ROBINSON & OKI.OKU. 
lianona, Steuben Co., N. Y. 
Kalorama Farm 
Has a Splendid Crop of Young 
BERKSHIRE PIGS 
ready for shipment at reasonable prices. They 
were sired by imported hoars and tire out of large, 
mature, prolific dams. Would be pleased to price 
them to you. 
CALVIN J. HUSON, Penn Yan, N.Y. 
SPRSNGBANK HERD OF BIG 
BERKSH IRES. 
Am sold out of sows to farrow earlier than June 
lOih. All stock registered and bred in fashionable 
lines. My hogs are the correct type of present day 
Berksbires, combining size, symmetry, grand feed¬ 
ing qualify and prolificacy. Send for booklet. 
J. K. WATSON. Proprietor, Marbledale, Conn. 
Large Berkshires 
Premier Longfellow.Lord Premier and Masterpiece 
breeding. Matings not akin. Catalog on applica¬ 
tion. WI LLOUG 11 BY FAKiM,Gettysburg,Pa. 
Reg. P. Chinas, Berkshires, C. Whites. 
Fine large strains; all ages, mated 
not akin. Bred sows, service Boars, 
Jersey and Holstein calves. Collie 
Pups. Beagles and Poultry. Write for 
prices & circulars. Hamilton & Co., Middletown.Pa. 
LARGE BERKSHIRES at Highwood 
SPECIAL.—30 Masterpiece sows bred. Pigs all ages: ihe type 
that weighs 700 to 800 pounds at maturity, with shoit, broad 
heads. Come and see them. If impossible, write for free book¬ 
let. H. C. & H. B. HARPENDING, Dundee, N. Y. 
MEHUEHi 
Positively cured by Bickmore’s Gall Cure. Also! 
Harness Galls. , , Cuts, and Sores on horses' 
and cattle. Guaranteed 
good for man and beast. 
Sample Free and new borso 
book for 6c to cover postage and 
packing. 
BICKMORE GULL CURE CO. , 
80X912 OLD TOWN, 
Laurel Farm Jersey 
Fern’s Jem lice. No. 73852, at the head of 
the herd. Sire: Louisiana Purchase, No. 
68494. Dam: Fern of Florence, No. 164625. 
Test 330 lbs. of Butter in 120 days. 
J. GRANT MORSE, - Hamilton, H. Y, 
Aberdeen-Angus Cattle 
Bulls for sale from 12 to 14 mos old. Sired by 
Hal of .Meadow Brook, 84018. whose grandsire was 
Lucies Prince, the grand champion hull at the 
International for three years. These bulls are ex¬ 
ceptionally well bred, and are very fine individuals, 
smooth and low down. Good enough to head any 
herd. For prices, address 
E.H. HUTCHISON, R.F.D.5, Xenia .Ohio 
HOLSTEIN BULL CALVES 
Bred in the purple from Johanna Rue 3d’s 
Lad, Jessie JIpBurke Lad a son of Sarcastic 
Lad, and Pontiac Chiron a son of Hengerveld 
Deliol tlie greatest bull of the breed. 
PRICES LOW FOR THE QUALITY. 
W. W. CHENEY. Manlius, N. Y. 
A HIGH CLASS HOLSTEIN - FRUSSIAN 
BULL CALF FOR SALK 
sired by Sir Sadie Cornucopia, 42152, whose average 
A. R. (). hacking is 32.48 lbs. of butter in 7 days, 
which is the world's record. Bull Calf born April 
8ih, 1909: Dam. Maple Ridge Pietje. 98905, a grand 
young heifer with an A. R. O. record at 2 years of 
between 17 and 18 lbs. of butter in 7 days. The calf 
is large, thrifty, sound and right, beautifully 
marked and will he sold for $100 if taken soon. 
Have others if he does not interest you. For full 
information, address QUF.NTIN McADAM, Prop. 
BROTHERTOWN STOCK FARMS. UTICA, N. Y. 
DKING <)\ ICKSTOCKHI), will sell at a sucri- 
lice, beautiful Brown Swiss Cow, her 18 months’ 
i old Bull Calf, four Grade Cows (young, fresh 
milkers), two Horses, registered Berkshire Sows 
and Pigs, imported milch Goats, white Embden 
Geese, White Plymouth Hock Fowls. No reason¬ 
able offer declined; may he seen at DUNDERBERG 
MANOR, Tomkins Cove. N. Y. J. Bozeat, Supt. 
CRFSHIRFS THE NEW york 
farmers hog 
Hardy, prolific, light, strong bones, mature early. 
Easy keepers. Young stock for sale. Address 
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, 
Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 
LARGE ENGLISH YORKSHIRES.?”, 
istered Bull. A. A. BRADLEY, Frewsburg, N. Y. 
REG. O. I. C. PIGSpS?mw* 
Cedar I.awn Farm, Ludlowville, N. Y. 
j O PRIZE-WINNING STRAINS. Prices 
■ I ■ U i reasonable. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
Only choice pigs shipped. Address 
CROSSROAD FARM, Plattsburg, N. Y. 
BULL CALVES BULL CALVES 
REGISTERED HOLSTEINS 
$ 20.00 TO $23 00 
Cheaper than you can purchase elsewhere, quality 
considered. We sell jobbers, why not to you f All 
the leading families represented. Bargains in 
cows for immediate acceptance. 
R1VENBURGH BROS., HILLHURST FARM, ONEIDA, N. Y. 
BULL CALVES»" YOUNG BULLS 
ready for service, that are of good size and individ¬ 
uality. All are from officially tested dams, ami are 
sired by Homestead Girl l)e Kol’s Sarcastic 
Lad. We have sixty daughters of this Bull that 
will he kept in the Herd ami officially tested. 
Write for description and prices. 
DUBOG JERSEY REG SWINE 
Mature Early, Hardy and Very Prolific. Choice 
Stock. Guaranteed to please. Address 
R. W. McALLEN, Fannettsburg, Pa. 
TUNIS RAMS FOR $15 WHILE THEY LAST. 
YV. I. WOOD, Williamsport, Ohio. 
V/fILK PRODUCERS for New York City market 
desiring information liow to form branches 
of the Dairymen’s League, write to the Secretary, 
ALBERT MANNING, Otisville, N. Y. 
R EG. JERSEY CATTLE. Chester White, Poland 
China and Berkshire Pigs. Lincoln. Shropshire and 
Hampshire Down Sheep. Scotch Collie Dogs and a variety 
of Poultry. Send 2-cent stamp tor circular. Come see 
my stock and make your own selections. Address 
EDWARD WALTER, West Chester, Chester Co., Pa. 
REGISTERED JERSEYS 
Rich in the blood of Golden Lad P. 8. 1242 H. C., 
Flying Fox P. S. 2721) H C . Courage P. S. 1813 H. C.. 
The Owl P. S. 2195 II. C. Young Bulls and a few 
Heifers for sale Fair prices. 
M. S. BKLTZHOOVER. 
Sunnysidc Park, Irvington, N. Y. 
QUALITY 
F OB SALE : ( satisfaction guaranteed ) two high 
bred Jersey Bulls, one ten, one sixteen months 
old. Both out of Advanced Registry Cows, having 
authenticated yearly fat tests made under super¬ 
vision of the State Agricultural College, Cornell 
University. For description and prices address 
THOMAS ROSE, Mgr., "Brightside,"Aurora,N.Y. 
WOODCREST FARM, 
Riftou, Ulster County, New York. 
The BLOOMING DALE HERD OF 
HOLSTKIN-FJRIKSIANS 
are bred for large production. Good size, Strong 
Constitution, Best Individuality. 
If these are the kind you want write or come to 
see them. 125 to select from. Animals of both sexes 
and all ages to offer at prices that will please you. 
A special offer on some nicely bred Bui.b Calves. 
A. A. CORTELYOU, Somerville, N. J. 
GET OUT OF DEBT 
Grade up your herds with HolSteins, 
the mortgage lifters. Send for free booklets. 
Holstein-Friesian Assn.,Dept.E, Brattleboro,Vt. 
The MOST MONEY for $1 Invested in 
Food has been secured in impartial trials 
from THIS GUKRNSKY COW. 
Reason WHY— by writing 
Guernsey Club, Box R. N. Y., Peterboro, N. H 
4 ST. LAMBERT HULL CALVES FOR 
SALK. Two to ten months old. Solid color. 
Breeding the best. 
J. ALDUS HKKli, Route 4, Lancaster, Pa. 
You Can’t Afford 
dairy stock, ready for service at farmer’s price. 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty St., Pittsburg, Pa. 
—Combination and Golden Lad; for 
sale, 20 cows, 18 heifers, 17 bulls. 
S. E. NIVIN, Landenburg. Pa. 
This trade mark appears on every bag of the Best Dairy Food—UNICORN 
DAIRY RATION, The standard by which all others are measured. It holds 
the highest World^s record for the largest milk-producing ration. Send for 
Booklet, prices, etc. CHAPIN & CO., BUFFALO, JST. Y. 
