Evening journal., 1915-01-13
KILLING SQUIRRELS
TO CHECK PLAGUE
With Death of Animals
California Feels All Dan
ger Is Passed
PIG CLUB ONE
OF THE NEW FADS

WASH lNIlONs Jan 10 nc Wal
of determination against squirrels
being conducted in California by the
United States Public Health Service in
connection with the precautions
against plague has resulted in the
death OF 2O.150,OO0 rodents accord
ing TO figures just announced.
During the epidemic of plague IN
San Francisco. in 19O7-1909, it was
discovered that the ground squirrel, a
rural rodent which abounds on the
Pacific coast has acquired the infec-
ton. Cases OF plague in human beings
which had occurred in rural districts
we're traced in these rodents. The
health service at once decreed their
death
Since 1908 the chief efforts of the
public health service and the Califor-
MIA state Board of Health, acting in
cooperation. have been directed to
eradication of plague from among
ground squirrels. The most salts
factory work, Il is stated, has been
accomplished since July 1, 1913. due
to the fact that sufficient funds and
adequate legislation we're provided by
the State legislature at its last ses-
sion.
Ninety per cent OF the squirrels on
an area Of 100000 acres, or about
equal the size of Connecticut. have
been destroyed since July 1, 1913.
Tho infection has almost disappeared
in this area So effective has been
the work of the hunters that they
have to cover an area of 26 areas TO
catch one squirrel.
I'm view of these facts it is be-
lleved that all discoverable plague
has been eliminated from California, "
says the Public Health Service, "and
that the danger of its further spread
has been removed Observation will
be maintained until after the next
breeding season, which begins in
April. when-if no further infection
has made its appcarance-th state
ment can be made with certainty
that no further plague exists in Cali
fornia. Large economic benefits. have
accrued to farmers as a result of
squirrel destruction and all are now
interested in finally destroying these
animals.
lana, says the Department of Agricul-
ture in a bulletin just issued. The
contest Of members of the pig clubs
at the Louisiana State Fair at Shreve-
port was highly successful. the de-
partment reports Although the fair
authorities limited the number of en-
tries to $50, boys from all parts of
the State shipped 1856 pigs.
The southern farmer, by virtue of
his location and climate, is splendid
ly situated for the production of fowl
and eggs, says the Department of Ag-
riculture in a bulletin just issued.
The mild winters and early springs
make the production Of eggs an easy
matter when prices are high.
"On many farms throughout the
country" says the department, "the
money derived from the sale of poul-
try and eggs buys the groceries and
clothing for the entire family. Every
southern farmer can do as well, and
should aim to keep at least 80 hens
for laying purposes and home con-
sumption Select some of the Ameri-
can breeds. such as the Plymouth
NONhSs W 1dnuolltSs VI lut ANubht 10
land Reds. The Orpingtons are also
good general-purpose species
While prices are good. the depart
ment advises farmers should get busy
and make contracts with city folks to
ship eggs by parcel post throughout
the year With parcel post egg
market established the farmer can de-
pend upon a reliable income all the
year around and utilize the mails for
marketing other products if the egg
experiment proves successful.
Once having secured a parcel post
market for eggs. il will be a very easy
matter to market many other things
by the same method such as butter,
poultry, fresh and cured meats, sau-
sage, fruits. vegetables, honey and so
on.