CATTLE TICK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18176, 23 August 1922, Page 7

CATTLE TICK.

Sir,-~ln your laut Friday's istato there was an article on tho_ cattle lack-pest, outlining the regulations which* yon state, was given by an officer of ttedepartment. "The said oificer staWdrtaat the cattle tick was first introduced into New Zealand about 13' years ago from New South Wales, presumably , jiatfing been brought in some grass seed. It may be news; "to this dud other officers to know-that I saw the tick here over 30 years ago—before any" paspaiurawas known here. Once one has sean .the female ticks they cannot,be mistaken.""" The first J .saw was on. a cog, but J,.did not know what it was, and/1 venture to say, t\e ticks are no worso on this property I to-day than they: were then. I think Dr. I Gilrath has correctly described- the different cattle ticks; 1 The one" we have is not rhe-sajiie as ij» known in Australia and Sout'tf"Africa, 1 ana dces. little damage unleaa in large numbers. The most the department can hope to do. is to carry out the regulations ill a reasonable way to prevent: the ticks spreading. , . That is that no stock should be removed-3rbm< on area during the tick season, ~_wit4ioub being dipped within 48 5 \ before being moved, or wit!a a certificate ..tjfiStt they are free of tick. If the department is gouig to carry out the regulations drastically, as stated, they are going to kill, not only the remnant of thp, .cattle industry, but also "this dairy industry ,in the North. The eattls .tick will never-be eradicated by legislation. More can be done by the' farmers themselves keeping their feed short. "What cannot be eaten in the summer should bitfnt in tiie autumn. Burn 51.1t rough;Jeed-and ruffage, aind it will destroy more ticks than all the dipping. It is well known that ticks get on to. cattle again-a- few days af t,ar dipping. , xny" 1 ailment. I would ask if isny . farmer hasseen many ticks on grazed; with sheep. OiD Sbtowju