The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-25
FOR THE OUlRRELS.
Washington Farm.rs VIII Blow the
Pests sky High.

Washington Farm.rs VIII Blow the
Pests sky High.
MISsoULA, Feb. 24.-Readers OF the
STANDARD Will recall tho experiments
conducted year ago by Herr Bandmann
at his ranch up the river, in laudaoie at
tempt to rid the country of gophers ana
ground squirrels. The patent extermina-
tor which Herr Bandman tried was more
or less successful-if you dug out tho
rophers and held them over the ex-
plosive.
Out in Washington the farmers have
this spring undertaken a war against
these burrowing pests and the county OIL
flcials are assisting them by furnishing
the necessary munitions OF war. Inc
plan which the Washington people pro-
pose to carry into practice is outlined in a
recent article IN the Spokesmdn-ReUieD as
follows:
Two bids for the supply Of one ton OF giant
powder for the destruction Of squirrels were re-
ccived yesterday by e county commissioners
from the Spokane Hardware company ana Hol-
ley, Mason, Marks & Co. Consideration OF tine
proposals went over until saturday. Inc artlcle
comes higher than the board anticipated, Tor
the reason that the contractor Is required 10
deliver It in such quantities as may be required,
while The ordinances Of the city specihcaily Tor
| bid the keeping OF more than p pounds on
| hand This, the dealers say, would probably
necessitate the employment OF Term con-
! stantly. delivering powder from the magazines
| to the court house.
The commissioners are resolved, however, to
| give the powder remedy fair trial TINS season,
| In lieu OF stTychnlne, issuing two pounds 10
each quarter section N the districts infested by
| the posts. Its use is said TO be entirely unat-
tended with danger The farmer cuts the SUCKS
| into sections Of half an inch or more In length.
| one OF these small pieces Is placed in paper
cone, which is dipped In kero-ene. lighted and
| thrust into hole leading TO squirrel den:
| others
| in the vicinity are sealed up with sod or EARN,
and the whole colony OF sources, old and
Young, are asphyxiated by the lumes.
Experiments by explosion OF giant powder IN
squirrel dens have produced good results, but d
is claimed that the asphyNation method Is
more iaT-reaching and effective. COMPOUND
of tar and sulphur has been successfully tried OF
the same principle, bur 1t is not SO easily al
mnistered as the giant powder ana is more ia
bic TO be smothered out after the AIR is smut OF
10y stopping up the holes.
There are several objections. TO the use o
stTychnine for the eX,ermination OF squirrels
| While II may be relied upon TO XIII each maj
yidual squirrel cntced TO partake OF II, domes
tic animals are also endangered by its use. ant
II is generally considered an undesirable stnl
to have about the premises OF farmer. OI
the other hand, giant powder, properly handed
without exposure 10 conclusion. Is deemed al
soutely unlnjarlous; except under t ne eon CONF.
| In this way, IL throws of powerful ana po
sOnous gas, which permeates all lnterstlces OF
gopher hill. dealing certain death TO all amin at
beings with which II may chance TO come int
| contact.
There is n suggestion in this metho
which is worthy of the consideration c
ranchmen in this section whose lands ar
being destroyed by these little pests.
the scheme is successful, there is no re;
son why every gopher in this valley shout
not be eriven out. The method is n con
paratively simple one and, if elfectiv'
will no doubt be adopted here.