Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-12-04
BIOLOGICAL SURVEY.
It's Great Work In Behalf Of Our Agri.
cultural Interests.

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The biological survey is quietly.
Il working for the good of our agricul-
tural interests and is an excellent ex-
a ample Of a government bureau which
I conducts original scientific research
the findings Of which are Of much
1 practical utility. For more than TWEEN
Il ty years it has studied the food habits
Of birds and mammals that are inju-
rious or beneficial to agriculture, hor-
q tfculture and forestry, has distributed
Illustrated bulletins on the subject and
has labored to secure Legislative pro-
/ lection for the beneficial species. The
cotton boil weeYil, which has recently
2Oyerspread the cotton belt Of Texas
/ and Is steadily extending its range, is
said to cause an annual loss of about
,$3. 600 900. The biological survey has
4 ascertained and given wide publicity
/ to the fact that at least forty three
kinds Of birds prey upon this destruc-
B tive insect. It has discovered that IF
Il ty-seYen species of birds feed upon
scale insects, dreaded enemies OF the
I fruit grower. 1t has shown that wood
4 peckers as d class BY destroying the
3 larvae Of wood boring insects are SO
essential to- tree life that 1t lis doubtful
/ If our forests could exist without them.
1T has shown that cuckoos and orioles
are the natural enemies of the leaf
eating caterpillars that destroy our
shade and fruit trees that our quails
and sparrows consume annually hun
idreds of tons Of seeds OF noxious
weeds; that hawks and owls as q class
\ excepting the few that kill poultry
4 and game BIRDS are markedly benef-
cial, spending their lives in catching
grasshopp mice and other pests
y that prey upon the products of hus-
bandry. 1t has conducted field expert
ments for the purpose of deyising and
perfecting simple methods for holding
III check the hordes Of destructive ro-
dents rats, mice, rabbits, ,gophers,
prairie dogs and ground squirrels
which annually destroy crops worth
/ many millions OF dollars, and 1t has
Il published practical directions for the
destruction OF wolves and coyotes on
4 the stock ranges of the west, resulting
during the past year In an estimated
saving Of cattle and sheep valued at
upward of a million dollars.
1t has inaugurated a system OF In
spection at the principal ports Of en-
4 try on both Atlantic and Pacific coasts
by means OF which the introd ucfion Of
noxious mammals and birds Isl pre-
4 vented, thus keeping out the mongoose
and certain birds which are as much
to be dreaded ais the previously intro
4 duced English sparrow and the house
/ rats and mice. III ~.
In the interest of game protection ii
has co-operated with local officials in
every state In the Union, has striyen
TO promote uniform legislation In the
several states, has rendered important
service in enforcing the federal law
regulating interstate traffic In game
and has shown how game protection
may be made to yield a large revenue
z To the state, a revenue mounting In
the case Of Illinois to s12S,000 In a
. single year. Mil
The biological survey has explored
the faunas and fIoras Of America with
reference to the distribution OF ant
mails and plants. 1t has defined and
mapped the natural life areas areas
IN which, by reason Of prevailing ell
niatic eondi lions, certain kinds OF ami
mails and plants occur and has point
ed out the adapfabiiity OF these areas
To the cultivation Of particular crops.
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