The San Francisco call., 1905-05-21
Government Expert Studying
Methods to Rob ProwI-
inc Beast of Sustenance
NEW FENCE A SUCCESS
lendOcinO County Ranch
man Finds Way to Protect
His FlockS of Sheep
BY JAMES =. TYLER,
star Correspondent Of The Call.

CALL BUREAU. POST BUILDING.
WASHINGTON, May 20.-Thst the
coyote is playing an important part in
his economic relations 10 development is
undoubtedly the case. for he has been
made the subject Of an especial study by
David F. Lantz of the biological survey,
United States Department OF Agriculture
Our own particular coyote-the same that
ngures IN the short story and which
howls and howls and howls"-has been
clsssed all by himself and is reputed TO
be one Of the slyest, most Intelligent and
most destructive Of the animals OF the
prairie wolf species that stiu answers the
call OF the wild"
Our California coyote is most attrfbu-
teo 70 the San Joaquin Valley. and he is
oesignated C. Ochropus, in italics This
means that &C. OchropUs" is Of q class
that has made life miserable for farmers
and has started sheepmen to devising
means OF keeping him from nipping at
the thoats Of lambs and even larger do
mestic animals.
There is one gentleman Of California
who has succeeded in keeping &C Ochro-
FIs from his flock. His name is J. H
Clarke and he lives IN LaytOnville, Men
oCcino County Clarke says that he has
found that il is necessary TO go TO some
expense in sheep-raising for permanent
fences that are coyote proof" He built
a fence inclSsing 1900 acres Of land. upon
which his fiocks Of sheep roam, by driv-
ing six-foet redwood pickets into the
ground one foot and leaving spaces not
more than four inches wide between
them. At intervals posts eight feet long
are driven down two feet. leaving them
one foot higher than the post fence. To
these are fastened barbed wire strands
and al the foot Of the fence Is stretched
another line Of barbed wire 10 prevent
digging.
This fence costs about $3.50 per mile.
but is effective The coyotes have been
noticed travelling around il for miles and
look in vain for an opening. They have
resorted 10 all sorts Of tricks TO get in.
and for a while tried 10 get beneath the
wire where the fence crossed a small
stream. In this they partly succeeded
until Clarke made concrete dams at the
streams TO stop them. He has had no
more trouble since.
D. " Hildebrand. who has been build
ing coyote fences for rauchmen in the
san Joaquin Valley. recommends a three
inch n1esh-wOyen wire fence, thirty-six
10 forty inches high. The biological sur
vey says that II is in communication with
q number of wooI-growers in California,
and would welcome from them any sug-
gestions for protection against coyotes.
Congress during its coming session may
take up the question OF how much money
shall be spent TO beautify Washington.
il is understood that the President is
heartily IN support Of the proposition TO
spend millions 10 make the nations
capital one Of the most beautiful in the
world. There is not q patriotic American
in the land who would begrudge the
sums necessary TO convert the home OF
his Government into one that among the
national capitals could be termed more
inspiring than any other"
Several years ago plans were drawn up
for the adornment OF Washington. and
much Of. the work has been carried 10
successful finish. But il is not generally
known that in the Governments strong
box are the designs for celebrating upon
the citys boulevards and public build
iugs and creating new ones, that viii
mean the expenditure OF at least $780,
GO l00
TIC Government owns and leases TO
private concerns much OF the land In the
city Of Washington. Upon the property
are standing many old buildings that are
eyesores. Pennsylvania avenue in partic-
uler is lined with dilapidated structures.
The Government wishes 10 be given au-
th0rity by the people TO tear down these
Tookeries, 70 completely remodel some OF
the public buildings and 70 extend the
public parks
In the plans under consideration il is
proposed 70 build a great chain Of parks
that viii completely envelop the al
ready very beautiful city. The driveway
along the river would be extended so
that II would connect with the roads
leading from parks in the north and
northwest section Of the city. At inter
walls in the proposed chain Of public
grounds would be erected additional pub
lfe buildings Of such architectural design
as would blend with their surroundings.
Where Iow-iying. dirty streets now ex-
isF would be broad, well-esewered boule-
yards, lined with double rows Of trees
and broken by circles and squares, each
with its statuary and fountains and pro-
fusion OF flowers and lawn.
Mary Of the local societies have be-
come interested in bringing the improve
ment Of Washington plans TO 2 focus,
and il is not unlikely that large appro-
priations for the work VIII soon be made
provided the outlook in financial quarters
IS good. The carrying out Of the work
under consideration would not be accom-
plshed without a great outlay OF time,
ss well as money.