The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-09-05
Big Price Paid
to XIII Gophers

~ M VvAAS =
Many Counties Pay a Bounty to-
Get Rid of the Little
Pests
Ten million dollars is a neat
neat sum to pay each year for
the rawages of one animal, yet
this is the figure given by the
United States Department Of
Agriculture as the damage done
by tn pocket gophers.
Description. This article has
to do with the pocket gopher,
which should not be confused
with the striped, or gray ground
squirrels, which also live in
holes in the ground, but feed
chiefly on substances found
above the surface. The most COM
mon gopher found in Colorado is
about eight or nine inches long
and very stoutly built. The color
ia yenowish brown, the head is
provided with strong jaws and:
sharp, chsel-like teeth with which
the cutting and gnawing are
done. On either side of the
head and neck are two large, fur
lined pockets, which are used 20
carry food, not Immediately need
ed, to the storage gallame. The
fore feet are armed with strong
claws for use in digging.
Life Habits. Practically the
entire life of these animals is
spent under the ground. 1t 81
seldom that they leave the mouths
Of the tunnels farther than is
necessary to throw out the dirt.
The burrows are long tunnels
which wind about in the ground in
whichever direction the sweet
will of the animal dictates. The
main tunnel is about eight or ten
inches below the surface. On eth
er side at frequent intervals are
short laterals leading up to the
surface where the dirt aocumu-
lated in digging is thrown out in
small mounds. When a lateral is
no longer needed for this pur-
pose, il is 50 tightly packed with
earth that it Is almost impossible
to follow it while digging. At
intervals in the tunnel will be
found chambers which are used to
store food for winter. In favor
able circumstances far more mate
rial is hidden away than the ami
NAL can use. In some chamber is
found dried grass, where perhaps
the animal rests, or where the
young may be nested.
Gophers are not prolific breed
ers. There appear to be but one
litter Of young, containing from
two to six, which is brought
forth in. the spring Of each year.
These are nearly grown in the
fall and leave the parent home
at that time to construct winter
quarters for themselves. The more
active periods Of work are in the
spring and fall, and these are
the best time to apply remedial
measures.
Poisoning Methods. p Poisoning
is the best method to use against
these pests when they are en-
countered in large numbers. The
following formula has been tried
with success and is recommended
by the United States Department
Of Agriculture:
4 o.. powdered strychnia sulfat
4 OF. green coffee l Il
6 OF. alcohol
4 zeggs whites only
1-2 gal. thick sugar syrup
Mix the coffee and whites Of
eggs and let the mixture stand
over night. Add q quart of cold
water to the coffee egg mixture
and Stir thoroughly. Strain into
the mixing vessel through . sieve
fine enough TO hold the coffee,
which Is rejected. Add the sugar
syrup and stir thoroughly. Dis
solve the strychnia in . little less
than q quart Of boiling water.
Pour tha alcohol into this solution
and stir. Then add the mixture
of ;strychnia, alcohol and water te
the contents Of the mixing vessel
and stir thoroughly.
This quantity Of poison IS suf:
ficient for two bushels Of wheat
and viii be more than IS needed
for any ord dinary conditio ions.
These ingredients may be used il lEl
smaller quantities il the same
proportions are preserved