Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-07-26
WAR On SQUIRRELS.
Washington Farmers Having a
Hard Time with the Pests.
They Are the Kind That Eurrow In tho
Ground and Ruin Crops-Headiy In
struments of All kinds Used
Against Them.

II has been the hope and prayer Of
all farmers in the southern and western
parts of Whitman county, Wash, for
several years past that some kind of
a contagious disease would break out
or could be inoculated into the trouble
some ground squirrel. Several at
tempts have been made 10 breed some
kind of disease among them, but all
seem 20 have been unsuccessful.
In view of these numerous unsuccess-
full attempts and the interest taken in
the matter. considerable comment was
caused few days ago by the report
coming from near Penawawa that
there was some kind of disease which
was killing the pests in large numbers,
and the country might hope to be free
from their devastating ravages.
A Spolcsman-Review correspondent
has made an extensive trip through the
infested district In order TO investigate
the authenticity of the reports and the
extent 70 which the disease Is proving
fatal. There seems TO be no doubt that
there Is contagion among them which
Is proving fatal 20 few, though not 10
the extent that has been represented.
The first effect on the animals Is 70
make them dumpy and stupid then
scabs or sores appear on the body of
the animal, and soon they lose the use
of their hind parts and are barely able
70 ger around. Very few dead squirrels
were found, but the animals seem 10 be
less numerous than they were a few
weeks ago This decrease in numbers
Is explained by some observers by the
fact that the females have gone in their
holes 70 have their young, but II has
also been noticed in districts where the
young squirrels are old enough TO get
out Of the holes. Already preparations
are being made 20 spread the disease.
Inquiries come from all over the coun-
try concerning the authenticity of the
reports and the effect it is having to
decrease the numbers and ravages of
the pests
But while farmers are anxiously
watching the outcome of the inN ction,
they are by no means idle in aiding
nature 20 destroy their enemy. Traps,
guns, bombs, and all kinds of poisons are
used 20 aid in their destruction. One
Colfax firm has already sold over five
hundred ounces of strychnine and other
poisons in proportion. Arsenic seems
20 be springing into favor as de-
stroycr, but some who have been OK
perimenting with It report rather UNI
favorably. Since the success of the
western one-third Of this county de-
ponds almost entirely on the discovery
of some method which will promptly
and effectively exterminate these mis-
chievous little animals, all new sug-
gestions 70 that end are thankfully re-
ceived and given a fair trial. In
Spokane county five hundred patent
bombs for the determination of squir-
rels have been received by the county
commissioners for distribution among
the farmers.
They opeNte." said Commissioner
Thorpe, ION the same principle as the
giant powder cones, with sulphur and
other paralyzing ingredients, and at
the close of the process "A slight eXplo-
sion occurs, producing q pyrotcchnio
display that sends the victims off TO
squirrel heaven in blaze of glory, so
TO speak, from beneath the depths OF
the earth. The only objection we have
TO the bombs Is that they come too
high. The owners of the patent want
two cents apiece for them. We feel
that the county cannot afford TO pay
that price while practically the same
results are obtained by the giant pow
der sutfocating process, which comes a
great deal cheaper"
THE fact has leaked out" said q
farmer at the court house, that much
of the opposition TO the giant powder
for the determination of squirrels has
been wrought up by agitators in the
interest Of patented contrivances and
vendors of poisons, who are travelling
over the country, decrying the efficacy
of all methods but their own"
More than "A dozen farmers testify 70
the good results of the giant powder
method, as advised by the commits
sioners, one man expressing the opinion
that if systematically operated there
need not be ground squirrel left in
the state Of Washington within two