The Crowder City Guardian (Crowder, Oklahoma), Vol. 5, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, November 12, 1909 Page: 4 of 6
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lombrrdyI
bPOPLAR HULEN
J^^IANllY £} PIPER.
BY FIELD MICE
alfrlf/^-
HILLED
MICE
Hy March IS
poisoning, bui>
plemented by
natural agen-
cies, had do-
stroyed tho
mice on sever
al thousands of
acres wh
they were most
A*> ' IE by Held mice
attracted the attention
of tho ranchmen In
tho lower part of Hum-
boldt valley, Nevada,
early In tho spring of
1906, and became se-
vere during tho fol-
lowing summer. In the
fall and winter of ISOfi,
and became severe
during the following
summer. In tho fall
and winter of 1900-'07
damage had Increased
until fields here and
there lu tho valley were seriously In-
jured,
Py October, 1907, a large pnrt of the
cultivated lands In this district had
been overrun by vast numbers of
tnlce. The yield of hay had been re-
duced by one-third; potatoes and root
crops were largely destroyed; many
alfalfa fields wero ruined by the mice
patlng tho roots of the plants, and the
complete destruction of tills, the chief
crop In the valley, was threatened.
The height of tho plague was
reached In November, when It. was es
tlmated that on many largo ranches
there wero from 8,000 to 12,000 mice
to each ncro. Tho fields wore riddled
by their holes, scarculy a step apart,
averaged 150 to 17fi to the square rod.
Ditch embankmontB wero honey-
combed, and tho scene was one of
devastation. Serious losses In hay and
root crops during the summer proved
but a slight forerunner of the damage
which began In the fall with the dis-
appearance of green food. Ilurrowlng
ANOTHER IMPORTANT VICTORY
FOR THE CARTER MEDICINE
COMPANY IN THE UNITED
STATES COURT.
The United States Circuit Court, for
the Southern District of New York—
1 sitting la New York City—has Just
awarded to the Carter Medicine Com-
' pany a decree which again sustains
the company's exclusive right to us6
the red package for liver pills.
[ By the terms of tho decree, It Is.
i among other things:
Adjudged that the Carter Medlclna
Company is the owner of the sole and
i exclusive right to the use of red col-
ored wrappers and labels upon scid
Ismail, round packages of liver pills of
the style described In the bill of com-
plaint; said right having been ac-
! quired by tho prior adoption of said
! style and color of package for liver
■ pills by the complainant predecessors
more than thirty years ago, and es-
j tabllshed by the continuous and ex-
| elusive use of the same In constantly
Increasing quantities by said prede-
cessors and by the complainant, tho
Carter Medicine Company, itself, from
tho time of their said adoption untiJ
the present day.
The decision just announced Is per-
haps the most Important and far-reach-
ing of all, by reason of the character
of the tribunal which rendered It. No>
Court in the country stands higher.
—Xational Druggist, St. Louis, Jft .
£>/ST/f/t3ur/no /won to mill mice
down about th plants, and extending their underground
runs from loot to root, they either killed or seriously In
Jureti the alfalfa lly November they had destroyed so
largo a percentage of the plants that many fields wore
plowed up as hopelessly ruined. They attacked also tho
roots of trtes, seriously injuring or quite destroying or-
chards They killed most of the young shade trees planted
along ditches, and so completely girdled largo l.ombatdy
end silver poplars that In some cases they caused tho
death of even such hardy trees
Tho great majority of ranchmen knew neither what to
expect from such great numbers of mice nor how to check
thein. Such plagues had usually been allowed
to run their course until brought to an end by
natural agencies. Hence it Is not surprising
that in Humboldt valley no concerted or sys-
tematic effects to suppress the plague In Its
earlier stages wi re undertaken, but after the
mice swarmed In thousands over tho fields
many attempts were made to destroy them by
distributing wheat poisoned with phosphorus.
These, however, were spasmodic and generally
proved futile, as the fields experimented on
were quickly relnvaded from adjoining lands.
While a few fields favorably located were
saved by early poisoning, tho results of such
unsystematic efforts amounted to practically
nothing In overcoming or even materially
checking the plague.
The preparation In general use by ranch-
men consisted of wheat treated with a strong
solution of yellow phosphorus lu carbon hi
sulphide, a cheap and effective poison lor Held
mice, but Inflammable, explosive, aud danger-
ous to birds. As a result of Its extensive em-
ployment In the valley, California quail, an In
troduced species, were decimated, and mag-
pies, crows, meadow larks, and smaller seed-
eating birds suffered extremely. On oue occa
slon 67 horned larks were found dead on about
four acres a few hours after the poisoned
grain had been distributed Fortunately hawks,
owls, gulls, and ravens were not affected, but
many skunks and domestic cats wore killed as
the result of eating mice dying or dead of phos
phorus. Several accidents t ecurrcd In han-
dling tho solution, and cases of fatal poisoning
of live stock were frequent.
Several attempts by ranchmen to Induce con
tagtous dlseat-cs among the mice by moans of
advertised bacterial preparation* failed
Chiefly through the co-operation of Mr
George S. Webb, manager of the large liodgers
ranch, systematic experiments to destroy the
pests, undertaken early In Junuary, 1008, by
tho biological survey, demonstrated that such
mouse plagues cun be controlled and the great
er part of the losses prevented The expert
ments of tho survey proved that mice can bo
effectively destroyed In winter by alfalfa hay
poisoned with strychnia sulphate, and this
preparation was generally recommended In the
valley. On the Hodgers and Anker ranches a
force of 7 to 16 men was employed to dlstrlb
ute the poison lu the fields, with most satisfac-
tory results, and without the dangers Incident
to the use of phosphorus aud grain.
MICE WHICH PRODUCED PL POUE
abundant, and tho plague was broken before
the remaining alfalfa fields had been overrun.
In scattered centers mice continued in de-
structive numbers until May, but without re-
gaining to any considerable extent by repro-
duction they steadily decreased, hater In tho
summer they had almost disappeared from tho
valley.
Tho scourgo of mice had swept over about
four fifths of tho cultivated area In the lower
part of llumbuldt valley. Of 20,000 acres In
ulfalfa, about 15.000 were so seriously injured
as to require plowing and replanting Over
most of this area the alfalfa was replaced by
grain crops for the season of 1908 at great ex-
pense and lo s. since good alfalfa lands pay
gross returns of from ft">0 to $70 per acre,
while good grain crops return only or $40
per acre
Tin' shortage of hay on the Hodgers ranch,
where 2,200 acres were In alfalfa, was estimat-
ed at 2,000 tons On Anker's ranch of 650 acres
It was estimated at 600 tons Other ranches
suffered In proportion, and the loss of hay In
the valley amounted to not less than $50,000.
W C. Pitt, who far.ms 1,400 acres of alfalfa,
estimates his complete loss at $20 per acre,
or $2S,000. John Font estimates his damage
on 1,000 acres at $20,000, aud Mr. Anker con-
siders his loss on 640 acres to be $S,000. Mr.
Webb, on the Hodgers ranch figures the com-
i lete loss on 2,200 acres, part of which pays
considerably short of the best returns, at
$.10,500.
A careful consideration of the losses In hay,
pasturage, root crops, and trees, the expense
of restoring alfalfa fields to their former con-
dition, and deducting the value of a grain
crop for 1908 shows the average loss to be
about J:0 per acre On this basis the damage
to the valley amounted to $300,000.
Simultaneously with the plague In the lower
part of Humboldt valley mice appeared In
enormous numbers farther up the Humboldt
river and Its tributaries about Wlnnemucca,
Battle Mountain, and In Paradise and Little
Humboldt valleys. As tho lands Infested In
those districts were chiefly great natural hay
meadows of red top and wild clovtr, the dam-
age was less severe However, gardens and
Isolated alfalfa fields were seriously Injured
Latur, reports of mice In alarming abundance
wero rocelved from King river, Quinn river,
and Carson and Smith valleys, Nevada; from
Weber river valley and from Snnpete and
Utah o^untlos, Utah, and from Honey Lake
valley, California. In none of theso localities
was the damage so extensive as. In Humboldt
valley, though plagues of like severity were
plainly threatened.
On learning of sevoro damage by mice In
Carson valley, a hundred miles southwest of
Lovelocks, In April, 1908,
the United States biolog-
ical survey sent several
assistants to the valley to
check the threatened
plague. Carson and Hum-
boldt valleys are alike In
having large areas In al-
falfa bordered by desert
lands, on which Bold mice
do not live. On a tract of
about 2,600 acres near
Mlnden mlco wero found
to be excessively nbun-
dnnt, and In some fields
10 to 25 per cent, of the
alfalfa plants had already
been destroyed. Several
smaller renters were similarly aiTected, while
over the valley generally tho mlco wore some-
what In excess of normal numbers. This was
a condition similar to that presented In Hum-
boldt valley during tho spring of 1907, and
young of all sizes wore abundant. Examina-
tion of many females, a large percentage of
which wero pregnant, showed an average of
from six to seven young, while in a uumber ns
many as ton were found. Although alfalfa was
already well grown, furnishing the mice abun-
dant food, by systematic poisoning, under the
direction of the biological survey men, they
were so effectively reduced In the Infested
areas as not to be dangerous again during the
season—in other words, a plague was averted.
The results actually obtained here prove
that mouse plagues can bo checked. It takes
several seasons to produce a general plague of
mice, and damage Is noticeable for at least a
season before a serious outbreak occurs.
Though natural agencies may be depended
upon to overcome such abnormal numbers
finally, yet, unless active repressive measures
are taken, enormous damage to crops will re-
sult. Control, easy at first, becomes more and
more difficult as the mice Increase In numbers,
and, after a plague Is well established. Is very
expensive.
In Humboldt valley. In the beginning, a lit-
tle poisoning with green alfalfa or crushed
wheat would have sufficed to preveut tho
plague. During who fall and winter of 1906-'07,
when tho mice seriously Injured fields here
and tnere, they could have been destroyed
with poisoned altalfa hay. Even during the
summer of 1907 concerted mid vigorous poison-
ing would have destroyed them at a cost suiaU
Indeed In comparison with the damage they
Inflicted later.
Of the many remarkable features of the
mouse plague in Humboldt valley, none Is of
greater significance, than the large numbers of
birds and mammals which gathered to feed
on the mice. Under rows of trees, about the
bases of fence posts, and scattered every-
where in the fields were regurgitated pellets
of mouse fur and bones, affording abundant
proof of the services rendered by birds, while
tunny holes and destroyed nests In the fields
showed the work done by Aunks and coyotes.
So apparent was tho assistance rendered by
these creatures that it attracted the
attention and secured the protection
of the farmers, many even sparing the
coyote, whoso services as a mouse de-
stroyer deserve to be more widely
recognized. In Nevada coyotes were
frequently seen catching mice In the
daytime, and their droppings were
composed entirely of mouse fur and
bones.
It Is deplorable that, even when
S~~ their usefulness Is as apparent as
here, some persons continue to de-
stroy valuable birds and mammals.
During tho investigations in Humboldt
valley no less than 29 large hawks
were found hanging on wire fences,
their useful lives ended by thought-
less gunners.
The striking evidence of the valu-
able services of the natural enemies
of mice seen during this plague is but
an example of their constant value.
Hawks, owls, gulls, crows, ravens, her-
ons nnd shrikes among birds, and
skunks, coyotes, foxes, weasels, bad-
gers, and wildcats among mammals,
habitually prey upon field mice, and
are most valuable in preventing undue
increase of these pests.
Thorough studies have shown
hawks to bo most beneficial allies of
the farmer, orchardist and nursery-
man. Most species rarely, and many of them
never, attack poultry. In the Nevada valleys
all spccies of hawks and owls are distinctly
beneficial, and here rigorous protection cannot
be too strongly advocated.
Among mammals the weasel and the skunk
are especially worthy of protection. They are
most persistent enemies of mice, and are less
likely to be driven out by civilization than are
other mammals. When particular individuals
raid poultry houses it may be necessary to
destroy them, though usually it is easy to
make such houses proof against their attacks.
Far from being a menace, they are generally
most beneficial mammals, and, living, are
worth many times the value of their pelts.
It is gratifying to note that in many locali-
ties tho people are learning to appreciate these
natural enemies of rodent pests, for even more
important than legislation for the protection of
valuable birds and animals Is the recognition
of their services by the farmers.
In Nevada it was noticed that hawks and
owls hunted chiefly in fields near the few plan-
tations of large trees to be found In the val-
leys. Beneath these trees the ground was
fairly carpeted by disgorged pellets of fur and
bones, reprosntlng thousands of mice. While
certain species of hawks seldom frequent
trees, others habitually perch In them, notably
the large rough-leg, Swalnson, and red-tall,
which were tho most abundant and persistent
mousers.
It was estimated that during the height of
the outbreak birds and mammals destroyed
some 45,000 mice dally. Although their com-
bined assaults unaided did not suffice to abate
the plague, yet when the number of mice was
reduced by poison, and long before It ap-
proached the normal, they were able not only
to prevent Increase, but to cause a rapid de-
cline. which continued until the mice became
so scarce that the predatory birds and mam-
mals were forced to scatter and look else-
where for food. It Is fair to infer that had
theso friends of the farmer been protected in
the beginning they would have been able from
the first to hold the mice In check, preventing
the abnormal Increase so that there would
have been no plague.
The mouse which produced the plague In Ne-
vada, locally known as "black mouse" Is the
Carson field mouse (mlcrotus montanus), one
of the numerous species of short-tailed field
mice or meadow mice, a group which has
caused widespread destruction in various parts
of the world. This field mouse Is rather wide-
ly distributed In the valleys of Utah, Nevada,
northeastern California and eastern Oregon
In nearly all parts of the United States short-
tailed Hold mice are among the most abun-
dant of mammals, and a number of species In
widely separated localities have occasionally
exhibited the same tendency to excessive in
crease. Indicating that favoring conditions may
produce mouse plagues wherever the mice ex-
ist. Even when In small numbers they de-
stroy considerable clover and alfalfa and in-
jure orchards, nurseries and root crops.
This Is the first recorded Instance of an Irrup-
tion of field mice In North America attaining
the proportions of a plague. The experience
Indicates the probability of future and even
more disastrous outbreaks. In the extensive
reclaimed areas of the west the abundant food
and luxurious cover furnished by alfalfa fields
and the miles of irrigation ditches, which af-
ford these ndce suitable homes along their
banks, greatly favor their Increase, while sur-
rounding desert conditions limit the spread of
mice beyond the cultivated areas.
FELT SORRY FOR MRS. BROWN
Simple Explanation of Rural Mail Car-
rier's Failure to Deliver Pack-
age to Owner.
The rural free delivery roaches Its
flower of perfection in Vermont, ac-
cording to the Saturday Evening Post.
"Mr. Carrier," said a lady who was
summtiing among the mountains. "I
have a letter, received several days
ago, saying a package has been for-
warded to me by mail. I have not re-
ceived it yet. Have you seen any-
thing of it?"
"A package?" asked the rural free
deliverer.
"Yes, sir."
"What kind of a package?"
"Why, a small package—a box, in
fact—covered with paper, containing
some of my property."
"A small box; pasteboard, prob-
ably?"
"Yes."
"Let me see," pondered the rural
free deliverer. "A package? Oh, yes,
I guess that was your package I deliv-
ered to Mrs. Brown down in the foot-
| hills a few days ago. She hadn't had
j any mail for a long time, and I kind of
[ felt sorry for her."
The Remarkable Trimming.
| "Jimmy," said the pretty actress to
! her actor husband, "won't you run
1 down to the milliner's and get me
j the hat I ordered?"
"Sure I won't make a mistake?"
queried Jimmy, somewhat dubiously,
with a caution born of an utter ig-
norance of millinery.
"Oh, you won't," laughed the spouse.
"My hat Is the white beaver trimmed
with orchids. You can remember
thai."
Gamely he went to his doom. En-
tering the millinery shop, he asked,
valiantly: Is my wife's hat. ready? I
mean the white biffer, trimmed with
oh-you-kids?"
And the French girls In the shop
made funny Parisian giggles at him.
A Motor Hint.
Miss Lillian Russell, who looks
younger than her daughter, was talk-
ing about age at a dinner in New
York. Miss Russell, who is always
witty, ended with this mot:
"It Is a sure sign of age in a wom-
an when she begins to get out of her
motor car backwards."
A man will coax his wife till she
«;ves in, and is pleased with himself
when he succeeds, but when the chil-
dren coax her, and she yields, he is
disgusted with her.—Atchison (Kan.)
Globe.
School children
should eat
Quaker Oats
at least
twice a day
Ah ort^U chttiu In the Family Sue Packag*
Tliompson't Eyt WaUr
If «tth
Children's Coughs
0*«* U—.COMTT VtfaHat
PESO'S
p- CURE ^
Tat KVf M.WQU TOR (j.UMS*%|S
latent am* tfw Hilt
AfM* tfed *H-rr t. Burt tsrout iF.i.m
rill k> to ha tai 4sa M
AM Dntcgfato, 25
V.
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Barrow, A. E. The Crowder City Guardian (Crowder, Oklahoma), Vol. 5, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, November 12, 1909, newspaper, November 12, 1909; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc273409/m1/4/: accessed April 23, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.