The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-09-26
MAN. DUMB FRIENDS
ARE MANY
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENTS
EXPERTS DEFEND ANIMALS
AND BIRDS.


Washington. Sept 25.--A number Of
animals and birds supposed to be Of no
value to man and a considerable detr'-
ment 20 him, are really his friends. ae-
cording IL the department of agrlcul-
ture experts who have made thor
ough study of animal life. In "A recent
report their destructive and beneficial
effects are enumerated.
good word liz said for the wolves
and cougars who. while making havoc
among big game. sheep, cattle and
horses. kill considerable number nj
rabbits and smaller pests To the
western country the department thinks
the coyotes and bobcats are all right.
In parts of that section where fruit
growing and farming are dominant in
dustries. IL is thought wise to encour-
age these animals If the poultry and
sheep are properly protected NJ night.
The department says that "A number Of
ranchmen and fruitgruNsra have
learned that these animals. If unmu-
Tested, viii free their premises from
rabbits and other crop or tree de-
stroyers, Where coyotes and bobcats
have been allowed To do their work
thoroughly" says the report. they
are fully appreciated and many ranch
ers would almost az soon shoot their
own dogs and cats as their wild bene-
factors. At times the coyote feeds en-
tirely on large insects and accom-
plishes much good
II Is declared that MANY an inno-
CEN skunk, owl and weasel has been
shot for the deeds OF that sleek tgh-
ventures tho assertion that the cat.
which enjoys all the comforts and pro-
lection Of home, destroys I'm the ag-
sregate more Wild birds and young
poultry than all the native natural
enemies combined. A cat has been
known To kill whole brood OF chick
ems i'm a day, a feat unequaled by any
other animal. with the exception of the
mink. Others during season have de-
strosed whole coveys Of quail or grouse,
or nests of young songsters. In the
New England states alone II is esti-
mated million and half birds are
annually destroyed by cats. The repu-
tation OF the cat as mouser Is also
reflected upon by the statement that
Few of them hahitualiy attacks rats
one OF the experts of the department
says he trapped IL mice i'm "A week I'm
his bedroom at "A ranch i'm the west.
although eight cats had access To the
place. but failed To land one
Although the fox Is looked upon as
villain. the report says h. rarely de.
strnss poultry. but on the contrary
turns his attention to field mice. rah-
bits. ground squirrels and Insects To
"a p,an lAAn aF ma,
mink cleans out the marsh loving ra-
dents and rarely bothers ducks or
chickens. The weasel In described as
one or natures most efficient checks
upon the hnrdes of meadow mice and
other rodents which destroy forage
crops. orchards. vineyards and garden
produce, IL also feeds upon rabbits.
squirrels and birds. and occasionally
raids n poultry yard. but farmers will
make a mistake ii they systematically
destroy them. says the report.
Although chicken thief. the skunk
Is described by the department as an
animal which renders important sery-
Ice by destroying immense numbers
nf mice. white grubs, grasshonpers
crickets. cutworms. hornets, wasps and
other noxious pests. 1t is said to be
fond of eggs and chickens. but the re-
port says that Il monster skunk made
her nest and reared family In the
inner walls nf chicken yard but mo-
Tested neither fowl nor egg.
badgers are valuable. SAYS the re-
port. for destroying ground SQUIRRELS
gnphers and other hurrowing animals
as well as insects. For their valuable
oh H..
them, even In irrigation sections,
where they dig into dives after ro-
dents.
haenans are amnisernns but rarely
abundant enough To do much harm.
IN the south. where crawfish live i'm
the issess and emhankments, the ra-
coon does good service in DESTROYING
these troublesome erns,aeeans.
Praise is also given to hawks and
owls. They feed largely on nnxfous
rodents and large insects. Ravens
crows and jays are also said ta do ef~
feettse work in destroying nests.
Last year nearly 10. 900 deer We're
Killed in this country. The actual
number WAS 5s.s7s. The largest num-
Der. i5.ooo. We're caught I'm Maine
Six thousand were killed in New York.
Zoo In Vermont: 500 i'm PENNSYLVANIA.
s,as6 In Michigan. 1i.ooa in Wisconsin.
5000 in Minnesota: lo1 in West gir-
stnla; ID in Maryland: so7 In Virginia.
1000 i'm South Carolina: s.2ns i'm Flarl-
da: is2 in Alabama: all i'm Missfssinni.
$500 in Louisiana. In Ontario Canada
ls.aao deer were killed during the wear
civil ser"ica examination to secure
men To Fix the standards of grain in
the agricultural department AT $500 tn
sl,soo a year will he held nj MtSsoula
on October 20.
The principal grazing land i'm the
! country. according to the department
! Of agriculture. is shaped like the letter
II" The top extends westward from
! central Wyoming 10 central Washing
ton. and the stem reaches southwark
from Montana To southern Nevada
The two ether principal groups of
sheep ranges are in central Montana
and central New Mexico