The oasis., 1893-11-16
Extsrminating Ground Squirrels and Go-
 phers.

The following interesting matter IS Bulletin No. F of the Wyoming exper- iment station, and is here reproduced as of value 10 readers of TIE OASIS:
 Methods of destroying these pests are numerous. Many drown them out of their burrows and then kill them. This is long and tedious method. l have seen water running from an irri- gating ditch into one of the burrows half day, and it seemed as though another half day would have been in- sufficient to fill the burrow. Then, in this region, water is often difficult to obtain. In many instances 1t would have to be drawn in tanks or barrels half mile or more.
 ''Many ranchemen and gardners use strychnine, rough on rats, arsenic and other poisonous substances. Usually corn or some kind of grain is soaked in a solution of one of these poisons, and is then placed near their burrows. This method has been satisfactory in some instances. There is this danger arising from the practice of such meth ods: stock, poultry and wild birds are as liable to get the grain as the squir- rels.
 During the summer of 1892 num- Der of experiments, having in view the destruction of these squirrels, were conducted upon the Laramie ex- pertinent farm For this purpose quantity of bi-sulphide of carbon was used. This liquid is highly inflamma- ble and should never be brought near the fire for fear of an explosion. It is not poisonous or corrosive to the skin and may be handled with impunity. Avoid breathing it: the yapor is un- wholesome. The only danger Is when brought in the presence of fire-a lighted pipe, cigar or match would in all probability clause an explosion. Bi-sulphide of carbon should be kept from children and irresponsible per sons, as they are liable to drink it, and the consequences might be serious. The unpleasant odor is easily and read fly detected, and by observing the proIer precaution no danger need be feared. The method of applying is to take ball of cotton about the size of an egg, and thoroughly saturate it with the bi-sulphide of carbon. One farmer in Nebraska in writing about the method of applying 1t, says he uses the dried balls of horse manure and finds that they do equally well, are less expensive and can be easily obtained. He finds that they readily absorb the hl-sulphide of carbon. With rolling motion throw the cot ton into the burrow and close the opening with some earth. The opera tjpn is simple and the result certain. Tha bi-sulphide of carbon eyaporates sapidly and, being heavier than air, soon fills the burrow and smothers or OyeJS0neS tjle sQuirIciS'
 "rhe application should be made in the evening, at sundown, as the spur rclsare in their b.rrows at that time, and the material will not be wasted. < nipt of the liquid will be sufficient tn treat twenty burrows.
 'On the Larimie experiment farm n,netv-siy burrows were treated dur ing the month Of July. With few exemptions the applications were made sn the evening. The next day the treated burrows were visited, and in yq instance mad the earth plugging eesy die Jurbcd. 4 second and third visit tu these burrows found them sc cQfely plugged In two instances some a0imal, presumably ground