Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-05-09

We have been requested by sew
eral correspondents to give them
information of the use of bi-sulphid
of carbon in the destruction of
ground squirrels and gophers.
Professor E. Hilgard recently pub
lishsd very satisfactory paper on
this subject In the State University
Bulletin, from which we make the
following extract:
Two years ago, in q lecture on the
phylloxera question, 1 suggested
that the same substance which
proves so successful against that
insect, as we'll as against the rats of
Paris and other cities, might be
successfully used against the Cali.
fornia squirrel also. l could not, at
the time, follow up the suggestion
by experiment. The knowledge l
have since acquired, both of the
habits OF the squirrel and of the
importance of the problem, has led
me Of late to test the applicability
of the Bi-sulphuret of Carbon"
as squirrel exterminator; and the
success attained has been SO salts.
factory that it seems proper to
bring the matter to public notice.
The bi-sulphuret(o Tor more proper
ly bi-sulphid) Of carbon is obtained
by passing vapor of sulphur over
red-hot charcoal contained in an
earthenware or cast iron retort;
thus burning the charcoal in vapor
instead Of air. The vapor forme ed is
very heavy and volatile, and re-
quires very sffeetual arrangements
for condensation. When pure, it
FERNS q colorless liquid, of an arc.
matte and somewhat peppery odor,
which is not disagreeable, and pro.
duces somewhat the effects of chic
reform on the human subject, but
acts a. quick az poison when in
hailed by small animals. Ordina-
rily, however, 1t il contaminated
with other sulphur compounds,
which give it the offensive odor of
rotten eggs and onions; and in
this condition 1t is poisonous when
inhaled, not only to animals but
also to man. The very offensive
ness of its vapor, however, is an ex-
cellent safeguard against accidents
from poisoning. 1t is highly in
fiammable, and its vapor, when
mixed with air, explodes, like that
of petroleum spirit or alcohol.
Since 1t boils but little above the
temperature of the hand, 1t evapor-
ates very rapidly when poured on
1t, producing feeling of intense
cold; when poured on damp earth,
the latter soon freezes and becomes
covered with hoar-frost. The vapor
so formed Is three times heavier
than air, and flows down visibly,
like water, from the mouth of an
open vessel containing the liquid.
OF course it will flow down into
squirrel hole in the same manner,
without the aid of bellows; es-
pecially If introduced OF the higher
end of the burrow. After a few
minutes, the odor usually makes
its appearance at some of the other
outlets; in one case it became SELL
sible at q hole twenty-five feet from
that into which it was introduced,
in the course of five minutes. 1t is
curious that in no case have I
known squirrel TO run out of the
holes before the gas; when it meets
1t face to face in run, death seems
to be almost instantaneous. But in
most eases the animals seem to re-
tire to their nests and die there in
stupor.
The mode of proceeding is simply
this: Select one or two of the
freshest holes in q burrow, intro
duce into it as deer down as you
can reach, wide mouthed ounce
vial full Of the liquid, upset the
vial, and withdraw 1t. 1t is best
after this to wait few minutes to
let the outer air push the heavy va
por before it into the burrow, until
the oder appears at the other out
lets. But this is not strictly neces.
ssry, and II the operator is hurried
the holes may all be closed at once,
with earth, which need not be
rammed; the only object being to
keep the gas in, and to see If any
of the inmates dig out afterwards.
or course it may happen that holes
supposed to belong to one hurrow
do not communicate, so that the in
mates Of one remain unscathed. A
little experience soon teaches the
right measure, SO that not more
than one in hundred will be OPEN
ed again, unless from without.
In closing the holes 1t should be
kept in mind that the liquid poured
into the burrow must not be COW
cred up by the earth put into the
opening. Either put it in far
enough to be out of reach of the
loose earth put into the opening,
or else use a sod, inverted, or a big
clod, or in stony ground, slab of
rock. The heel of boot will in
many cases answer just a well as
the shovel to do all that is needed,
viz: to prevent any rapid access Of
air to the exterior. Tamping is
quite unnecessary.
Moreover, while the bi-sulphid
can be used with equal success at
any season, it must be remembered
that, as 1t Is heavier than water, it
must not be used when water is
standing in the holes; the more as,
under such circumstances, the bur-
rows are likely to be divided up by
z
the water traps, which would re-
strict to that extent the diffusion OF
the poisonous vapor.
1t is probable, however, that
smaller quantity will suffice when
the earth 10 damp than when it is
dry, since in the latter case the
vapor will to slight extent be alb.
sorbed by the porous earth. Our
experiments were made before
moisture had penetrated more than
ten inches into the soil.
The dead animal is thus buried
out OF sight in its own burrow,
creates no stencil and poisons
nothing; its flesh would not be In
furious even II dug up. No other
wiid or domestic animal runs any
FISK, unless 1t be the gopher. The
AnIoa rafain