The Sunday Oregonian., March 21, 1920, SECTION THREE, Page 11, Image 59

TIIE SUNDAY -OBEGOSIAX, PORTLAND, MARCH 21, 1920
, 11
GROUND SQUIRRELS COST WHEAT GROWER '
$1.76 EACH ANNUALLY, REPORTS EXPERT
Devastation by LHtle Rodents Tested at Washington State College Proves Menace to Production of Farm
Crops Methods for Eradication of Pest Are Poison, Traps and Gas, All Used Persistently.
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mllE average observer does not
1 I think of the cunnins little
: ground squirrel as a destructive
Iest. but it really is a costly pet, and,
i In large numbers, a real menace on
,' any farm. Such is the conclusion
I reached by William T. Shaw of the
": division of zoology of Washington
! State college. Mr. t-haw has made a
' - close study of the subject after many
experiments on the agricultural ex-
periment station farm near Tullinan.
- With wheat at S-MO and annual cost
' of a squirrel is J 1.76, says Mr. Shaw.
; When it is recorded that in seven
' years 7000 suuirrels have been trapped
on the 416 acres of College farm at
Pullman, a fair idea may be gained of
the damage done by the squirrels in
the Infested districts, unless proper
Btcps are taken to check thera.
Sir. Shaw recently lectured on. the
subject before the Portland AudUDon
society, lie al.o has prepared a paper
on "The Cost of a iifiuirrel and Squir
rel Control," from which excerpts are
printed here.
Dmlnictlun la Studied.
"To further the investigation, a typ
ical piece of fallow Pulouse wheat
land was selected and -own to a good
variety of wheat. Hybrid 128. The
weather being favorable, the wheat
terminated promptly and soon cov
ered the ground with a good stand.
-Before winter, a part of this land
was divided into sections 50x50 feet
and a retaining fence three feet high
and. two feet in the ground was con
structed about each plot to make it
possible to hold the. suuirrels in ab
solute control. Within each of these
plots was an old surface-obliterated
squirrel den. such as is common in
cultivated fields of the palouse, even
after the squirrels have been absent
from them for many years. In these
dens are many burrows too deep for
the plow to crush, once reacneu uy
tbe squirrel they are easily and
quickly renovated and made into an
inhabited dwelling, with plenty of
wheat at hand. Immediately adjoin
ing were check plots of similar size,
slope and soil.
"The following spring fell plots were
cut back to 40x10 feet to an even
st:ind. away from the fence. Wild
squirrels were trapped, branded and
otherwise carefully marked and rec
orded in preparation for the season's
te.st and were placed in the enclosed
plots as described below. The be
havior of a representative squirrel
designated as male No. 1 will be
given in some detail:
"Male No. 1 was placed in an old
den underlying the heat plot in yard
1 on llarch 2-. at a time when the
wild squirrels were beginning their
work on the winter wheat in the
fields. On the following day it began
eatins the succulent young leaves of
the wheat This is kept up steadily
until May 7. but the general detri
mental effect upon the wheat was not
noticeable other than the gradual
thinning around the den. By May
however, a very marked, sudden and
disastrous change had taken place.
The wheat leaves becoming lesn suc
culent, and the squirrel, representing
a species which is not dependent upon
water for its liquid nourishment, had
suddenly attacked the stems of the
wheat plants and in the brief time
elapsing had strewn the ground with
willed leaves and broken stems. In
doing this it cut very skillfully into
the side of thn stem just above one
of the lower joints and evtracted a
et the lower joints and extracted a
Stem after stem bad been cut to the
ground and with each stem went the
loss of one future wheat head.
"It is at this time that the wheat
suffers its greatest devastation from
the squirrel; for, earlier, a few bulky
leaves, and later, an equally small
number of concentrated heads would
satisfy a squirrel's hunger, now it
would take a large number of these
very short tender stems to make a
satisfying meaL From this date until
May 27, the squirrel worked continu
ously upon the fctcms without varia
tion, except that on May 23 it began
cutting higher up on the stock, in
regions of more recent growth.
Squirrel Varies Diet.
On June 27 a change took place.
The stems were now becoming' woody
in anticipation of approaching har
vest. The squirrel abandoned its
work on the stems and began feeding
on the maturing grain. By this time
tne region about the den was well
carpeted with a mat of dead leaves
and stems.
"In order to reach the heads ot
wheat, the squirrel cut into tho side
of the stem up about the third joint,
sometimes the fourth, usually just be
low the joint. In this way the stem
was crinked and the head dropped to
the ground, and a matted tangle of
wheat stems soon replaced stalwart
waving stocks. Many times the stem
-as completely cut off. In most cases
the heads were then cut from the
stem, close up to the grain, and car
ried to the mouth of a burrow and
there the grain extracted and eaten.
So skillfully was the grain separated
from the head that the latter was
left quite intact. By July 30, when
the wheat was harvested, the squirrel
bad finished the depredations, accu
mulated sufficient fat for the long
period of aestivation and hibernation
and was seen no more. Tbe imme
diate vicinity of the den was strewn
with empty wheat heads and for near
ly a rod around the ground was car
peted with bleached leaves and stems.
From the area of the May and June
stem cutting, now some green second
growth heads struggled through, too
green to mature and too short for the
reaper.
"On July 30. the several plots and
v ' in
a it , iv 1
mMm 1
1 1
SJot.
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omes
is"jrrJrvsflaM
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their corresponding checks were har
vested, the differences taken and the
damage carefully calculated. It was
found that during the l.'O days of
activity, from March 22 to July 30. the
squirrel in yard 1 had destroyed 44
pounds of wheat. Kqual areas of 1600
square feet were harvested, one squirrel-infested
and one free, showing in
rain S'J pounds against 133 pounds
respectively. As a more striking com
parison 500 square feet were harvest
ed in the immediate vicinity of the
den in yard 3 and an equal area in the
check plot for tiiis yard. The squirrel
infested area produced 4 pounds of
grain against 41 pounds in the squir
rel free area and in straw, one sheaf
against 9. This docs not represent the
entire damage done by the squirrel
in plot 3, as much was done at a
greater distance from the den.
The average destruction per squir
rel in the experiments made was 50 1-3
pounds, which at a price of J2.10 per
bushel for hard winter wheat was
worth $1.76.
Squirrels are very destructive to
pasture and alfalfa although their
work is not as noticeable to the cas
ual observer as it is in grain. A very
careful series of tests were mado to
determine the amount of white clover
destroyed in one day by a brooding
squirrel. The female under observa
tion was suckling four young, fairly
mature squirrels. The squirrel was
given fresh clover sod, counter
checked for loss by evaporation,
through the entire day and it was
found that she ate 71 grams (1-7 lb.)
of 17.2 per cent of her own weight
per day. At this rate, 38S squirrels
would consume the pasture of one cow
in a day or 9tf squirrel-s would devour
the pasture of one sheep in a day.
Concerted Actios Reeded.
The greatest need in squirrel con
trol in any given area is concerted
effort over all farms, public highways,
railroad rights of way, unoccupied
and wild lands, owing to the fact that
the squirrels will migrate from a
badly infested area into an adjoining
area from which they have been eradi
cated. Food habits, daily and seasonal
activities and den structure of the
ground squirrel must be taken into
consideration in any attempt at con
trol. The animal may be gassed, poi
soned or trapped. In foyowing any of
these methods, it is necessary to pre
pare the field for action by clearing
all brush or wild shrubbery from
fence rows and adjacent wild land so
that there may be a clear view of
every squirrel that appears. This work
can be done to advantage during the
winter months. Whatever method is
followed, work should be begun, early
In the season before the young appear
from the dens.
When the squirrels are rery abun
dant or where soil conditions do not
favor the use of a gas or in a wild,
partially cleared lands or "burns,"
poison is of great value. The United
States department of agriculture of
fers a formula that is supplied on
request.
In the gas method the squirrel is
given no choice and little chance of
escape. Carbon bisulphide, a poi
sonous liquid vaporizing on exposure
to air and forming a heavier-than-air
gas, is most practical. It is used
best with a vaporizing machine, form
ing a blast of poisonous vapor so
rapidly that the squirrel has not time
tp dig from It. By this method ISO
acres of badly infested land near Pull
man was completely cleared of squir
rels. Carbon bisulphide may be used
by dropping saturated waste balls in
the holes.
Trapping, properly done, la very
effective. Ordinary steel squirrel or
rat traps are used. These are placed,
uncovered, in each hole of a den and
chained to a tall marking stake. In
the course of a day or so the squirrel
becomes accustomed to the trap and
is caught.
ROAD BONDS ARE FAVORED
Sentiment at Hood River Indorses
$500,000 County Bond Plan.
HOOD nrVER, Or., March 20.
(Special.) Sentiment is crystallizing
throughout Hood River county on the
proposition of bonding for permanent
highway improvement. Suggestions
for voting the limit of road bonds,
plans that would result in a fund of
approximately S500.000, have been fa
vorably received. Yet the indefinite
ness of the system of roads that would
receive the money so raised is caus
ing many to wltBhold their sentiment
on the proposition.
The road bonding proposition was
di-cussed at a meeting of the Hood
Iiiver Commercial club this week.
nen aoout lau members were
present.
Bugs at the State Hospital
"Jagged" on Poppies.
Insects Deprived of Joy This Yeq
Dy jvuimgr sboh.
FOREST "PHONES LAID
Northern Canada to Trotcct Val
uable Timbor.
OTTAWA. Ont. Four hundred miles
of telephone are to be laid through
the forests of northern Canada as
part of the scheme of the Ottawa
Itlver Forest Protective association
for tho prevention of forest fires.
The secretary announced that the
association had expended ISO.000 on
forest patrolling and fire fighting last
season.
HALEM, Or., March 20. (Special.)
O So-called "bugr jags," which for
several summers have been popula
and much sought at the state hospital
for the insane here, will not bo avail
able during the year 1920, according
to prediction made today by Ir. R.
I.ee steiner, superintendent of. the In
stitution.
Elimination of the "souree of sup
ply," together with the pleasant afte
effects, may be blamed to the ele
ments, according to Dr. Steiner, and
nof to any intentional act upon the
part of the management to deprive
the bugs of this delightful pastime
Soon after . Dr. Steiner assumed
charge of the hospital he set out to
beautify the grounds, and among
other improvements planted a numbc
of poppies. Thso soon became the
pride of the superintendent and were
much admired by the hundreds of vis
itora at the institution during the
summer season.
Finally the bugs took a liking to
the flowers, and last year many
the blooms wore practically covered
with these lovers of nature's stimu
lant. The poppy, as everyone knows,
contains opium, and it goes without
saying- that the bugs made the most
of their opportunity. So human-like
were the activities of these insects
that crowds gathered about the plants
for hours at a time and watched their
maneuvers.
After getting their fill of the sooth
ir.g drug the bug would drop to the
ground, where they reposed in peace
ful slumber. Recovering from these
spells of intoxication, the bugs1 again
m r"-Cw
Ouch i Lame Back
t.,w r-.i i . t 1 r J f.i Lit'
uu DatKacjie, L-umoago, ooreness;ana
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Back hurt you? Can't straighten up
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with soothing, penetrating "St. Jacobs
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Limber up! Don't suffer! Get s
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Adv.
PAPE'S
FOR INDIGESTION
CHEW A FEW END STOMACH DISTRESS!
At once! Indigestion, Heartburn, Gas and Dyspepsia, caused
by 'Acid Stomach is relieved.' Buy a box! Eat meals without
fear! Read ''Common Sense Rules Regarding Stomach'.! in package.
would climb to the top of the
branches and re-satisfy their appe
tites. For days these bugs would
continue their debauch, and in the
language of Dr. Steiner they acquired
ps many as eight or nine matured Jag
during the.course of a few hours. As
often they would sleep off tho effects
of the drug, ana then resume opera
tions.
As far as the doctor was able to de
termine the casualties were light, and
each succeeding snriner the buns were
CHILD'S HI ALL
GAME OUT
WithMHkCrust. Could Not
Sleep. Cuticura Heals.
"When baby was six months old
he developed a very bad case of milk
crust. He could not sleep night or
day. Tbe milk crust was very dis
figuring and his head and cheeks
were covered with a scale. His scalp
was sore and red, especially when he
scratched it, and his hair all came out.
"The trouble lasted about two
months when I heard of Cuticura
Soap and Ointment, and I used two
cakes of Cuticura Soap and one box
of Ointment when he was healed."
(Signed) Mrs. C. Bennett, R.D.I, Box
33, Downey, Idaho, April 16, 1919.
Cuticura Soap. Ointment and Tal
cum are all yon need for all toilet and
nursery purposes.
rapte bek tnm Vf Mn. A.Uif. -Clll
L&bocfcfrl, Dpt H, UtldMi Kyi" Sold ewr
wti.r. Soap 26c. OiBtaMntXaadfiOe. TmJcumKc
9kVCuticura Soap shave without mac
"Every Hour or So"
lie Ilad to Arise at Night Be
cause of Kidney and Blad
der Ailments.
Tells of the Good Balmwort
Tablets Worked. ,
Mr. W. R- Goff, connected with the
D. U. & W. R. K.. Syracuse, In. T.,
writes: For two years I had suf
fered from disorders or tne Kidneys
and bladder. Distressing pain in the
back and hips, depression ana extreme
nervousness. Also a rrequent desire
to urinate, many nights every hour or
so, I would have to arise, as the pres-
on band to satisfy their drug-seeking
proclivities.
Just as these much-sought flowers
were about to make their debut for
the 1920 season a few weeks ago
along cams a snow fall and attendant
low temperature. As a result they I
were kind, an-1 this year th.j hups
will be compelled to seek other pastures.
Three-fourths of alt the coal of tho
world Is mined In elcht-fcour shift".
roth
flNl
itf!
New Hair S
After BALDNESS
HAIR CROWN ON MR. BRITTAIN'S BALD HEAD BY
INDIANS' MYSTERIOUS HAIR GROWER
My lead at the top and back was (bsolutaly bald. The scalp
was ahiny. An expert said that as he thonjlit the hair roots wero
extinct, and there wai no hope of my rrr kaTinr; a new hair growth.
Tat now, at aa age otet 68, I hare a luxuriant growth of aolt,
strong, lustrous hairl No trace of baldneaa. Tha pictures ahowa
here are from my photographs '
Indians' Secret of Hair Growth
At a time when I bad feeeome divoafaff4
- trying Tarious hair lotions, tonics, specialists'
treatments, etc., I came across, in my travels, m
Cherokee Indisa "medicine) man" who hzd aa
Althoneh T bi but little faith. I rare it a trial, frsmrtetnt photo.
To itit amazement a light fun soon appeared. It dereloped, day tf
day, Into a healthy growth, and ere long my hair waa as preliflo as ia
my youthful days.
That i was astonished and happy it txfressinej my ttatt of mind mtlalv.
Obviously, the hair mots had not been drsd, but were dormant in
the scalp, a wait inc the fertilizinc; potency of the mysterious pomaln.
I negotiated for and came into possession of the principle for
preparing this mysterious elixir, now called Kotalko. and later bad
. , , . ., (OS recipe pu inio ursTiirai lorra vj m nifinin.
Photo when bald. That fny own faair jrrowth was permanent has been amply prered.
Many men and women, also children, have reported, satisfactory result from Kotalko.
How YOU May Grow YOUR Hair
Ifr aontst kelief is thai lair roots rarelr dio een wm
the hair falls out throogh, dandruff, f.rer, exeessire dryneas
or otner oiaoraers. 1 na,e pren ioib or
experts that oftea whan hair falls out
the roots become imbedded within tbe
scalp, coTercd by hard akin, so that they
remain for a tim like bulbs or aeds in
a bottle which will grow fertilized.
Shampoos (whirh contain alkalis) and
hair lotions which contain alcohol are
enemies to the hair, as they dry it,
makinf it brittle. Kotalko contains thoa
elements of nature which giro sew
Titality to tbe scalp and hair.
Pain Stops Immedi
ately Loosen and
Lift Off Quickly:
A few drops and
"goodby!" That's how
"Gets-It," tjie modern
corn killer, handles
corns. All you do is
put a few drops on tho
corn, "Gets-It" does
the rest and it is a
plenty. Pain ceases
instantly corn ready
to lift off soon after.
SOLD BY
Owl Dnisr Co., Wotfl-
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thiru IH-ua; ( .. R. H.
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(er. Byerley. Fabian.
PROVE FOR YOURSELF
Oct box of ill" rename) Kotalko at a reliable druggist'! '
1300.00 GUARANTEE with each, box. A small testing bos
r Kotmlka (aitb. tMiimooiala. ate.) mar be obtained br aand-
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for women' t haift
JOHN HART BRITTAIN, Station F, New .York City
j. c. Hwt.n, rj. p.
MUMIST
CAN BE CURED
Free Proof To You
sure in bladder region was unbearable. 1 1 want is your name and addrew so I can md yon a free trial
Rankles .welled and my skin be- w1to-l-,-tot
caniti uw Uo..,s I Te r)eca , tno Kctu uruif Busmen ror o years. 1 am rrrsiaent or tne Indiana state
Balmwort Tablets I noticed relief and Board of Pharmacy and President of the Retail Drutrruti' Association. Nearly reryone in Fort
continued taking: until now " I feel Wayne knows me and knows about my successful treatment. Over twalv thoaaand fhre
wholly relieved of pain and suffer- bundracl Men, Women and Children outside of Kort Wayne hare, according to their own state
am nft to recommend Rnlm enta, been cured by this treatment since I flmt made this offer public.
S ?r w t Jnst meTlahl hV "oa h Eczatna, Itch. Salt Rh.um, Tettar-nerer mind hew had - my treatment hai
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Balmwort Tablets? Sold by leading Please tend without eost or obligation to me your Free Proof Treatment.
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-fle-U-lt" f
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atame-
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.Aie
foat OSca
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A very little time
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It" will entirely free
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Corns and "Gets-It"
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Its common sense
the "Gets-It" way.
You lift the whole
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."Gets-It" has put it
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"Gets-It," the only
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ed as the world's best
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