Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-01-16
BEES rs 70 KILL MICE,
Agricultural, Department Finds
Ally In the Philippines.
sting OF the Insect said to be Poison
Gus 10 the Small Animnis-Wh
he Introduced Into This
Country.

The agricultural department AZ
Washington is TO make a determined
attack upon the American field
mouse. His determination in certain
localities has been resolved upon aud,
the Philippine bumbIebee' is to be
brought into service as the eHecn-
TONER. 40 .-..r' l.1-.,--
This was the statement made by
Prof. c. II. Riley Of the department,
who passed through Chicago last
week en- route 10 San francisco and
the Philippines Prof. Riley, OF the
division of entomology, will devote
a year in the Philippines TO the study
Of bugs and insects of the arehipel- 1
sgo.- The cumming bird" bunble-
bee of the Philippines will be one of
The. main objects Of his inquiry, 1t
is planned to import the big bee OF
the Philippines into the United
States that he may make war upon I
Ge American field mouse, rodent
which has caused che farmers OF the
g country loss OF thousands of dob
lars.a -.ff- -F- il-i.I
''It is an old saying among farm
, ers," said Prof. Riley, reports Chi
cago papor, that when there is plen-
ty Of clover there are lots Of bumble-
bees. What the farmer really means
is that when there are lots Of bum
bTebees there Il plenty OF clover. He
might carry his llagic further by say
ing that when field mice are scarce
thrrerare plenty Of bumblebees, and
tliHt when there are plenty iof cats
there are few field mice.
"ln order TO save the clover cropa
OF the country the agricultural, de-
Iiartment hns the choice Of two
things. 10 increase the number Of
eats, In The country which will de-
stroy the field mouse, or to take
away from the rodent his supply Of
winter food. Either method II sue
,essful would result in gain OF
thpusands OF dollars to the farmers
rhe field mouse. is very fond OF bum
blebee honey and never loses on OPP
portllnity 70 deprive the insect OF the
rewards Of mis- work. The honey
taken away from the bumblebee
canses him TO perish in, the winter
time. Hence a short clover crop for
the bumblebee is carrier OF pollen
from one clover plant TO another.
Thus when there are lots Of bum BILE
bees clover comes to perfection. II
the field mouse has destroyed the
bumbleebee there Is no insect that
can do its work in the summer time
md the farmers lose accordingly.
This is not only true OF clover. but
many other plants.
I'VE hold that the bumblebee Is a
valuable member Of insect society
md that the field mouse is worth
less scamp who likes good dinner
but does not want TO work for II.
"1he philippine bumblebee is an
entirely different insect from his
American cousin. He is fully an inch
nd n half long and looks like a
email bird. lie is full OF business and
has no fear of such small animal
rs the field mouse. lie Ia harmless
| fellow when let alone, hnt his sting
is deadly to smaller forms of ami
nal life. He win fight fer his own
with the tcuacity OF n pugilist and
any interruptions field mouse invad-
ing his domain will have to fight for
everything he gets.
"a field mouse after receiving the
sting ~ Philippine bumblehee would
| much resemble the wrecked appear
ancc OF some ~ our college boys aft
or the Thanksgiving football came.
He would have 10 lay up for repairs.
at is the intention of the agricul-
tural department to introduce this
bee into the United States II climatic
conditions will permit. lie will he
sent to the warmer parts OF the
country nt first, where he may grad
ually become hardened to the more
severe climate. II ia then hoped he
will grow and spread until he covers
the entire country. The department
mas its eye upon other insects in the
Philippines which may prove OF value
TO agricultural interests There are
several varieties Of honey bees which
will be given q trial. A species of
tree toad, which has n deadly antip-
athy for certain kinds of citrus in.
sects. win be introduced into south.
orn California with the hope that IL
may he useful In the determination
OF the black or armored scale, which
has caused SO great a loss to fruit
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