The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-06-02
UNCLE SAM FINDS WAY
TO ELIMINATE CRAwFIsH

While birds and animals often play
the role of pests, it will surprise most
people to learn that species of craw-
fish does extensive damage to crops
in certain sections, especially of the
sqsssh s2.ha. hiel, >. x she- orawfish- are
to be seen in many places around wet
or mucky and, but they have been gen
eraly regarded as curious lettle ten
ants f no Importance except that in
some localities, especially the kinds
that inhabit streams, are sometimes
extensively used as an article of food.
There are, however, large stretches
of rich land in the south where craw-
fish infest the soil to such an extent
that it is almost impossible to raise
crops. The formation they inhabit is
heavy glimbo SOL from 4 TO 10 feet
deep, well saturated with water and
OVERLAPPING sandstone formation
This seems to be an ideal home for
them since in the dryest seasons sew
eral feet of water remain in the craw-
fish tunnels Hundreds of thousands
Of acres are subject to the depreda-
tions of the marapders, whose actions
SAVIOR of the maraudings CT some evil
night spirits or bad ewes of fairyland
Large fields Of young cotton have been
almost totally destroyed by the raids
of the crawfish in single night.
Smiling fields Of corn may likewise
be subject to night attack and in
the morning present a scene of desc
lation; the marauders have retreated
to their dens. A dozen entire leaves
have been found at the entrance of
one burrow, while probably an even
greater number had been carried be-
low. 1t is believed that the principal
feeding is done underground, after
the robbers have safely carried their
booty to their lairss In the badly in
Tested areas there are from 5000 to
10000 HES the acre.
Heretofore the only method of COM
batting the pests has been to fight
them with crooked sticks shiny
sticks going over the fields, espe-
cially at twilight and even at night by
lantern light. Recently however, I'm
Gle Sam has taken a hand in the mat
ter, making a number of experiments
with chemicals, and has found that
bisulphide of carbon at very small
cost will put Mr. Crawfish quite out
of business. 1t was found that two
or three drops placed in burrow and
the opening Immediately closed by
pressure of the foot viii kill the craw-
fish in the course Of a few hours. The
fluid can readily be squirted into the
hole by a long nosed oil can, such as
the locomotive engineer uses, but with
a very small aperture at the end, so as
to allow just the right amount Of the
chemical to escape BY simple pressure
on the bottom Of the can. The cost
of the carbon bisulphide is at the rate
Of cent for seventy-fve hales.
The incidental labor would cost con
siderable more, except that since the
soil of the crawfsh region cannot be
worked during wet weather, the farm
laborers who are usually hired BY the
year can probably be employed in
killing crawfsh at such times. The
government specialists recommend the
combined use Of the shiny stick and
the deadly bisulphidc.
The conquest Of the crawfsh is one
Of the many very striking instances
where comparatively simple investi-
cation and experiments by our pater-
nalistic department Of agriculture at
a very small cost has demonstrated a.
cheap and entirely practicable method
Of completely controlling a pest which
for generations has caused loss of
hundreds Of Thousands Of dollars an
nuaIly