Kiowa County Democrat. (Snyder, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 4, 1909 Page: 7 of 8
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* 4
W(B
i
mmtmmmmAMAC.K by field mice
I I attracted the attention
I I of the ranchmen in
I I the lower part of Hum-
I I boldt valley, Nevada,
early in the spring of
1906, and became se-
vere during the fol-
lowing Summer. In the
fall and winter of 1906,
and became severe
during the following
summer. In the fall
and winter of 1906-'0i
damage had increased
until fields here and
there iu the valley were seriously In-
jured.
By October, 1907, a large part of the
cultivated lands In this district had
been overrun by vast numbers of
mice. The yield of hay hud been re-
duced by one-third; potatoes and root
crops were largely destroyed; many
alfalfa fields were ruined by the mice
eating the roots of the plants, and the
complete destruction of this, the chief
crop in the valley, was threatened.
The height of the plague was
reached in November, when it was es
ttraated that on many large ranches
there were from 8,000 to 12,000 mice
to each acre. The fields were riddled
by their holes, scarcely a step apart,
averaged 150 to 175 to the square rod.
Ditch embankments were honey-
combed, and the 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. Burrowing
yr(B(Bpa>,
JBX<SfANLEY EfPIPER.
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X.,
THE PEST
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fit****
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im
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"usin'*
O&L!
reW'1
’MOUdt-
Ti0LtD
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By March 15
poisoning, sup-
plemented by
natural agen-
cies, had de-
stroyed the
mice on sever-
al thousands of
acres where
they were most
P/STP/aur/HG POtdOM TO HILL MICE
down about the plants, and extending their underground
runs from toot to root, they either killed or seriously l„
Jured the alralfa. By November they had <'cstro> ed s
large a percentage of the plants that many fields were
plowed up as hopelessly ruined. They attacked also
roots of trees, seriously Injuring or quite destroying or
chards They killed most of the young shade trees planted
along ditches, and so completely girdled large Lombardy
and silver poplars that in some cases they caused the
death of even such hardy trees.
The great major!'y of ranchmen knew neither what to
expect from such great numbers of mice nor how to check
them. 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 were undertaken, but after the
mice swarmed in thousands over the fields
many attempts were made to destroy them by
distributing wheat poisoned with phosphorus.
These however, were spasmodic aud 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, the 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 In carbon hi-
milphltle, a cheap and effective poison lor Hold
mice but inllummable. explosive, and danger-
ous to birds. As a result of its extensive ein
ployment In the valley, California quail, an In-
troduced species, were decimated, and mag-
pies, crows, meadow Isrks. and smaller seed-
eating birds suffered extremely. On one occa
sion 67 horned larks were found dend on about
lour acres a few hours after the poisoned
grain had been distributed. Fortunately hawks,
owls gulls, and ravens were uot affected, but
many skunks and domestic cats were killed ns
the result of eating mice dying or dead or phos-
phorus. Bevoral accidents occurred In han
d||ng the solution, and cases of fatal poisoning
of live stock were frequent.
Several attempts by ranchmen to Induce con
tnglous diseases among the mice by means of
advertised bacterial preparations railed.
Chiefly through the co-operation of Mr
George 8. Webb, manager of the largo Kodgers
ranch, systematic experiments to destroy the
pests, undertaken early in January, 190*. by
the biological survey, demonstrated that such
mouse plagues cun be controlled and the great
cr part of the losses prevented The expert-
menta of the survey proved that mice can be
effectively destroyed In winter by alfalfa hay
poisoned with strychnia sulphate, and this
preparation was generally recommended in the
valley. On the Kodgers and Anker ranches a
force of 7 to 15 men was employed to distrib-
ute the poison In the fields, with most satlslac-
P?ry results, and without the dangers Incident
U the use of phosphorus and grain.
m
E'*2»XV- '
MICE WHICH PRODUCED PLDQUE
abundnnt. and the plague was broken before
the remulnlng alfalfa fields had been overrun.
In scattered centers mice continued ln de-
structive numbers until May, but without re-
gaining to any considerable extent by repro-
duction they steadily decreased. Later In the
summer they hud ulmoel disappeared from the
valley.
The scourge of mice had swept over about
four-fifths of the cultivated area In the lower
part of Humboldt valley. Of 20,000 acres in
alfnlfn, about 15.000 were so serioutfly Injured
us to require plowing and replanting. Over
most of this area the alfnlfa was replaced by
grain crops for the season of 1908 at great ex-
pense nntl loss, since good alfalfa lands pay
gross returns of from 160 to $70 per acre,
while good grain crops return only $35 or $40
per acre.
The shortage of hay on the Rodgers ranch,
where 2.200 acres were in alfalfa, was estimat-
ed at 2,000 tons. On Anker's ranch of 050 ucres
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. Flit, who farnij 1.400 acres of alfalfa,
estimates his complete loss at $20 per acre,
or $28,000 John Font estimates Ills damage
on 1,000 acres at $20,000. and Mr. Anker con-
aldeis his loss on 650 acres to be $8,000. Mr,
Webb, on the Rodgers ranch figures the com-
plete loss on 2,200 acres, part of which pays
considerably short of the best returns, at
$30,500
A careful consideration of the losses In hay,
pasturage, root trope, aud treen, the expense
of restoring alfalfa fields to their former con-
dition, and deducting the value of n grain
crop for 1908 shows the average loss to be
about $20 per acre. On this hauls the damage
to the vulley umoumed to $300,000.
Riinultanenusly with the plague In the lower
purt of Humboldt valley mice appeared In
enormous numbers further up the Humboldt
river and Its tributaries about Wlnnemucca.
Battle Mountain, and In Paradise and Little
Humboldt valleys. As the lands Infested In
those districts were chiefly great nutural hay
meadows of red lop nntl wild clover, the dam-
age was less severe However, gardens and
Isolated lIDUl Acids were seriously Injured.
Later, reports of mice in alarming abundance
& \
\\ s
JjLJ
An who
Would Etyoy
good health, with its blessings, must un-
derstand, quite clearly, that it involves the
question of right living with all the term
implies. With proper knowledge of wh.it
is best, each hour of recreation, of enjoy-
ment. of contemplation and of effort m-ijr
lie made to contribute to living might.
Then the use of medicines may Is- -li--
pensod with to advantage, hut under or-
dinary conditions in many instances a
simple, wholesome remedy may Is- invalu-
able if taken at the proper time and the
California Fig Syrup Co. holds that it is
alike important to present the subject
truthfully and to supply the one |>erfect
laxative to those desiring it
Consequently, the Company’s Syrup of
Figs and Flixir of Senna gives general
satisfaction. To get its bonofirinl effects
buy the genuine, manufactured by the
California Fig Syrup Co. only, and for sale
by all leading druggists
REAL NEED.
LFOLFfi
/ PL OUT
iLULLED BY
were received from King river, Quinn river,
nnd Carson and Smith valleys, Nevada; from
Weber river valley and from Sanpete and
Utah counties, Ctah, and from Honey Lake
valley, California. In none of these localities
was the damage so extensive as in Humboldt
valley, though plagues of like severity were
plainly threatened
On learning of severe damage by mice in
Carson valley, u 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 ln al-
falfa bordered by desert
lunds, on which field mice
do not live. On a tract of
about 2,500 acres near
Mlnden mice were found
to be excessively abun-
dant. and in some fields
10 to 25 per cent, of the
alfalfa plants had already
been destroyed. Several
smaller centers were similarly affected, while
over the valley generally the mice were some-
what in excess of normal numbers. This was
a condition similar to that presented In Hum-
boldt valley during the spring of 1907, and
voting of all sizes were abundant. Examina-
tion of many females, a large percentage of
which were pregnant, showed un average of
from six to seven young, while In a number ns
many as ten 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 ln 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
thul mouse plagues can be checked. It takes
several seasons to produce u general plague of
mice, und damage Is noticeable for at least u
season before a serious outbreuk 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 ut firBt, becomes more und
more difficult ns 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 prevent the
plague. During the fall nnd winter of 19«6-’07,
when the mlco seriously Injured fields here
and there, they could have been destroyed
with poisoned alfalfa hay. Even during the
summer of 19i)7 concerted and vigorous poison-
ing would have destroyed them at a cost small
Indeed In comparison with the damage they
Inflicted later.
Of the many remarkable features of the
mouse plnguo In Humboldt valley, none la of
greater significance, thun the lurgo numbers of
birds and mammal* which gathered to feed
on the mice. Under rows of trees, about the
buses of fence posts, and scattered every-
where In the Holds were regurgitated pellets
of mouse fur and bones, affording abundant
proof of the services rendered by birds, while
ninny hole* and destroyed nests In the fields
showed the work dons by skunk* and coyotes.
8o apparent was tha assistance rendered by
*LOMBflPDYl
>POPLAR KILLED
BY FIELD MICE T
these creatures that It attracted tho
attention und secured the protection
of the farmers, many even sparing the
coyote, whose services us 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
their usefulness Is as apparent as
here, some persons continue to de-
stroy valuable birds aud mammals.
During the Investigations in Humboldt
valley no less than 29 lurge 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 and 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 those pests.
Thorough studies have shown
hawks to be most beneficial allies of
the farmer, orchnrillst and nursery-
man. Most species lately, and many of them
never, attuck poultry. In the Nevada valleys
all species 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 1s easy to
make such houses proof against their attacks
Fnr trom 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 local!
ties the people are learning to appreciate these
natural enemies of rodent posts, for even more
important than legislation for the protection of
valuable birds and animals is the recognition
of their services by the farmers.
ln Nevada it was noticed that hawks and
owls hunted chiefly ln fields near the few plan
tutions of lurge trees to he found ln the val-
leys. Beneath these trees the ground was
fairly c arpeted by disgorged pellets of fur and
bones, represntlng thousands of mice. While
certain species of hawks seldom frequent
trees, others habitually perch In them, notably
the lurge rough-leg, Swalnson, and red-tall
which were the most abundant and persistent
mousera.
It was estimated that during the height
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, und long before It ap-
proached the normal, they were uble not only
to prevent Increase, but to cause a rapid de-
cllno, which continued until the mice became
so scarce that the predutory birds and mam-
mals were forced to scatter and look olse-
where for food. It is fair to Infer that had
these 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 tho plague In Ne-
vada, locally known as "bluck mouse" Is the
Carson field mouse (mic.rotus montanus), one
of the numerous species of Bhort-talled 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 field 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 nnd 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 oven
more disastrous outbreaks. In the extensive
reclaimed areas of the west the abundant food
und luxurious cov«r furnished by alfalfa fields
und the miles of Irrigation ditches, which af-
ford these mice suitable homes along thalr
banks, greatly favor their Increase, while sur-
rounding desert conditions limit the spread of
mice beyond the cNItlvated areas.
mmr
"I say, old chap, will you lend a
friend a dollar.”
"Is he really in need of It?”
"Rather. He wants to pay me with
It.”
Typographical Union Led.
The first tuberculosis sanitarium to
be erected for the benefit of the labor-
ing men was built by the Interna-
tional Typographical uuion In con-
nection with its home ut Colorado
Springs. The International Printing
Pressmen und Assistants' union have
recently decided to erect a similar
sanitarium, nnd steps are now being
taken to open such un institution. The
International Photo-Engravera’ union,
while not conducting u sanitarium of
Its own. pays lor the treatment of It*
tuberculous members In institutions In
various parts of the country. The
International Boot Workers' union are
recommending to their members that
they nlly themselves with the various
organizations united ln the light
ngalut.t tuberculosis.
The Rare Gift of Courtesy.
Courtesy includes not merely social
kindness, graces of speech, absence of
tudeness, but honorable treatment of
business associates and of nil the fel-
low citizens with whom a man of af-
fairs may have business to transact.
It Is not American to keep one citi-
zen waiting all day nt the door be-
cause he is pour, and to grant an-
other citizen an Interview because It
is believed he Is rich. Wisdom Is not
confined In a purse, and frequently
much wisdom may be leurned from •
poor man.
Gnak* Story,
"Before he wont flailin'," said the
towiu. story teller, "he swallowed
'bout a pint an’ a half of snakebite
remedy, an' of course you know what
that is. Well, after the snake bit him
the reptile cut all sorts o’ capers, kaze
the remedy went straight to Its head.
Last thing it tried to do wuz to swul-
ler Its tall, an’ It got Itself in the form
of a hoop an’ I’m a liar ef the chil-
dren didn't roll It around all day!"
Two Itoms.
“I suppose with all this modern
prison philanthropy, abolishing stripes
and convict uniforms generally, they
will soon introduce dress suits for the
well-behaved prisoners In our penal
Institutions."
"Well, you know, they already give
convicts watches and chains."
You can save a lot of time by being
sore where you want to go before
starting.
THI DlFPffRffNCff
Coffee Usually Moans Glekness, But
Postum Always Moans Health.
Those who have never tried the es>
pertinent of leaving off coffee and
drinking Postum In Us place and In
this way regaining health and happi-
ness can learn much from the experi-
ence of others who have made ths
trial.
One who knows says; "I drank cof-
fee for breakfast every morning until
1 had terrible attacks of Indigestion
producing days of discomfort and
nights of sleeplessness. I tried to give
up tho use of coffee entirely, but found
It hard to go from hot coffee to a
glass of water. Then I tried Postum.
“It was good and the effect was no
pleasant that 1 soon learned to love
it and have used It for several years.
I Improved Immediately after I left
off coffee and took on Postum and
am now entirely cured of my Indiges-
tion and other troubles all of which
were due to coffee. I am now well
and contented and all because I
ehanged from coffee to Postum.
"Postum I* much easier to make
right every time than coffee, for It Is
so even and always reliable. We
never use coffee now In our family.
We use Postum. and are always well.”
"There's a reason" and It la proved
by trial.
Ixiok In pkgs for a ropy of the famous
little book, "The Road to Wetlvllle.”
Rnr read the above lettevf A new
•as appears treat time te tiler. They
nee genuine, liee, nnd lull of G—n
Interest,
• *
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Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Anderson, John H. Kiowa County Democrat. (Snyder, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 4, 1909, newspaper, November 4, 1909; Snyder, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc497202/m1/7/: accessed April 24, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.