The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-02-03
!. ]. ]. !. ]. i. j. !. !. !. i + J. 1
THE GROUNDHOG
!. j. j. !. !. J. J. J. :. :. i + !. :

The study of animals, birds and in
sects, their habits and instructive
knowledge to provide for themselves,
has claimed the attention of some OF
the most able writer's Of natural his
tory. While the writer most vshem-
emily disclaims any scientific knowl-
edge of zoology, yet having been born
and raised ON the farm, he has spent
many happy days in fields and woods
with dog and gun and if not by study
at least by observation has learned
something about the habits of certain
animals. AS the month of February
is being ushered in We must from a
long custom pay some attention to the
ground hog. From time immemorial
his pigship has had place on the
farmers calendar and, if not at pres
cnt at least there was time when no
intelligent farmer was SO egotical as
to ignore the wisdom and sagacity Of
the ground hog, A brief description
Ct the ground hog, his tastes and hab-
its, might possibly interest few OF
the Icd"er's readers. To begin with
lis pigship fully grown will weigh
from twenty to twenty-five pounds.
lie is of grayish brown color, short
tail, small eyes set high on his head,
while his heavy muscular shoulders
indicate his wonderful strength. He
is equipped with sharp and powerful
teeth and the experienced dog that
invades his domicil often repents his
rashness, for he meets foe who is
always on guard and will fight to a
finish for the rights Of his home. The
The ground hog shows much wisdom
IN selecting a location for his home.
He not only has an eye for comfort,
but also looks well to the defence of
his home, in fact he is both architect
and engineer and in these days when
so much is being said about prepared
ness our military experts might learn
something from the ground hog.
Solomon with all his wisdom did not
hesitate to point out that we might
learn an instructive lesson by observ-
ing the habits and ways of the lower
order of the animal creation The
ground hog In preparing his home
will, if possible, select site on a
sunny hill side beneath a rock or
cliff He then proceeds to his labor
ious task by digging perpendicular
hole to the depth of twelve or eight
cen inches. When this depth has
been reached he then tunnels a hall
way parallel with the cliff extending
slightly beyond the cliff. At this point
he makes square turn and proceeds
to tunnel back into the hill as far as
the cliff extends. Having reached this
point he makes another square turn
and continues his tunnel or hall way
until he Is safely and surely behind
the cliff. The home is now ready for
occupation and he prepares COM
modious room, sets up his bed Of
moss and leaves and Is at home.
The ground hog In providing for his
table Ia eplcurian in his tastes and
only starvation will compel him to eat
that which Is not good lie is also
a vegetarian and the farmer who
plants his early peas near the resi-
demo Of Mr.. Ground Hog is not likely
to be the first one In that neighbor-
hood who has early peas for dinner.
His pgship also enjoy young corn and
beans. and a nice juicy apple makes
for him a very satisfactory desert. In
summer time he lives on berries,
fruits and vegetables and will invade
the farmers corn field or truck patch
without special invitation and hcip
himself without the least embarrasa.
ment
N shs cold wInsor vsaihsr 10 slayl
= 81 & " Il ~ ~ Nh 4. 4 |...|I1|