The silver state news. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1907-1909, 1909-03-16
TO RID COUNTRY
OF PRAIRIE DOGS

ALBUQUERQUE, March l3.-ln
cooperation with the %stockmen, the
United States forest service has begun
an active campaign against prairie
dogs ON the infested ranges within the
national forests of Arizona and New
Mexico. Successful attempts at pois-
oning prairie dogs were made last
vice in other parts Of the country, and
this year the work will be carried On
much more extensively.
The poison used to put an end to
these little pests of the western ranges
IS prepared by coating wheat with a
preparation of strychuine, cyanide u
potassium, anise oil, and maiasses. The
stockmen supply horses AID men ana
the poisoned wheat is given out by the
government officials tor distribution
upon ranges within the national forest
areas. Each rider carries the wheat
in a tin pail supported by a gunny sack
slung across his shoulder. One hand
is free for the rains and with the Other
the rider uses a teaspoon to measur
out the poison in "baits' and drop it
near the entrance of the holes. The
action of the poison is almost instan-
taneous. Most OF the prairie dogs II
a tow are dead within an hour or two
after the bait is dropped.
Early last month $500 pounds Of
wheat were prepared in Albuquerque
and shipped to the various national
forests in Arizona and New Mexico to
be distributed. This quantity of wheat
will make approximately 6,020,000
bats, which will clear up an area #
from $4,000 to $4,000 acres at a cost,
exclusive of the labor of distributing
it on the ranges, of about one to one
and a half cents an acre. The poison
is used to best advantage in the early
spring when the dogs first come out
of their winter quarters, and before
the green grass is plentiful enough to
appease their appetites.
Last month a well-known stockman
vice of his stock range on the great
Canyon Diablo plateau, says: Five
years ago such a thing as a prairie
dog was unknown here. Two years
ago there were a few widely distribut-
ed over the range. Last year they be
came numerous, in fact, quite common.
If something is not promptly done 70
destroy them they will do great harm
to the range
As all westerners know, prairie dogs
are among the worst enemies with
which the stockmen have to contend.
Where they establish themselves the
destruction of the range is only a ques-
tion of time. On range lands they have
proved most destructive to a variety
of crops, among which are wheat and
alfalfa, grain, potatoes and sugar beets,
and on grazing lands they are said to
CUuoultt anu Justify ~ uiuCH Sidoo
that the grazing capacity of the range
is reduced 80 to IS per cent
1t is expected that the campaign
against the dogs in the Arizona and
New Mexico forests will be most sue
eessful as it has met with universal
favor among the stockmen who are
giving every assistance to the forest
service men. Range Improvement III
national forests is one 0 fthe chief OBJ
~jeests of regulating the grazing, and for
this reason the forest service is leav-
ing no stone %unturned to prevent range
deterioration.
Stockmen and others who wish to try
the poisoning on their own account can
obtain the formula for it's preparation
and directions for its use from the
district forester at Albuquerque, New
Mexico, or from the forest service,
Washington.