The Delta independent., 1906-03-30

By having the roots cut OF. These
mounds also prevent close moving. 20
that much of the hay crop II lost,
while the pebbles they contain often
break or injure farm machinery. The
loss due to gopher mounds In the clover
and alfalfa fields in some Of the West
ern states has been conseryatively estl-
mated at one-tenth Of the entire crop.
In many Of the fertile valleys where
gophers abound they are by far the
most formidable Of the farmers amin
n enemies.
Pocket gophers may be destroyed BY
poison, by traps, and by the use Of car.
bon bisulphid.
Polsonin9 Pocket Cophers.
Poisoning with strychnine IL the
most effective means known for killing
these little animals, and, q 1t involves
the least expenditure Of money and
labor, the Biological Survey recon-
mends 1t for general use. As rodent
poison to be used by farmers, strych-
nine has several advantages. Its act.
ION 10 sure, its deadly character is
known to most persons, and its bitter
taste 10 an additional safeguardagainst
mlstaking 1t for q harmless drug.
8trychnia sulphate Is the most conven-
sent form of the poison, since 1t 10
freely soluble In hot water and In the
natural juice Of vegetables used as bait.
To disguise its bitterness 20 that ro-
dents may not be deferred from eating
the baits. sugar is often employed. or
the strychnine may be mixed with 1T
own bulk Of commercial saccharine.
A sugar syrup poisoned with strych-
nine may be used with excellent re-
suits. It IL prepared as follows:
Dissolve an ounce Of strychnia sui.
phate in pint Of boiling water. Add
. pint Of thick sugar syrup. and stir
scented BY adding few drops Of oil
Of anise, but this Ii not essential. II
preserved in a closed vessel, the syrup
will keep Indefinitely.
Tho above quantity IL euMcient to
poison . half bushel Of shelled corn or
other grain (corn recommended), the
cereal being STEPPED in hot water and
allowed to soak over night. It Il then
drained and soaked for several hours
in the poisoned syrup. Before using,
corn meal may be added to take up the
excess Of moisture.
Dry crystals Of strychnine also may
be used. They are introduced by
means Of knife, into small pieces Of
potato. carrot, or sweet potato, or into
entiro raisins or dried prunes. A SIN
gls large crystal (or several small
ones) 10 enough for each bait Raisins
are especially recommended because
they are easily handled and contain
enough sugar to disguise the bitter
ness Of the poison.
Tho prepared baits are placed In the
underground runways Of the gophers
and are conveniently handled with Q
spoon. A stout dibble IL used to make
holes into the runways. Having 10
Gated the ry,nways by use Of the dibble,
It % moved from side to side to make
the soil hrm about the hole, and then
Withdrawn. A piece Of the poisoned
potato or raisin or . teaspoonful Of
the poisoned corn II dropped into the
hole which u left open. 6ome farmers
prefer to cover the holes, but the exper-
ience Of the Agriculture Department
- AGAINST such practice.
~ this method little labor - 1eces'
oAfy, and the operator soon acquires
skill IN finding the runways. The bait
eheuld 10 placed IN the main runwsys
end not IN the short lstefAls near ths
mounde. II placed IN the lakerals, the
animals are likely 70 cover e vita
oofl q throw Il out without -Ana1ne
4. 4 s1ullful opsrstor can = evse =
. - aGsse of badly fn1estel laal q
~, aad. n tho wosk y easoeu1ly
80 8 : 49, vAea H. DoG1De ooU4el