The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-02-03
Oneida County Farmers Save
Crops Valued at $275,323
Through Vigorous Season
Season Campaign

CAS- an outstanding piece Of farm
bureau work in Idaho, the story of
how Oneida county saved $275,OOO
worth Of crops in 1919 by killing
ground squirrels is here presented by
the University of Idaho extension d.
vision).
Ground squirrels are among the
most destructive pests with which the
farmers of Oneida county have to
deal. In past years. in some local.
ties, they have destroyed practically
all the cultivated crops. The i'm
mense tracts Of uncultivated land ad-
jacent to the farms have afforded the
squirrels excellent protection and fur
nished breeding grounds for their
rapid increase.
In 1919 the farm bureau, In coopera-
ton with the United States biological
survey, conducted q county wide cam
paign for the destruction of this pest.
The compulsory rodent poisoning law
recently passed by the legislature was
put into full operation to force the
Stacker to do his part
What Was Used.
Realizing the large loss of crops
caused annually by the depredations
Of the ground squirrel, the county
agent met with the county commits
sioners to obtain sufficient funds to
purchase 5000 ounces Of strychnine
alkaloid, and 800 ounces of sacchar-
inc. II was also agreed that the coun-
ty would pay for the wholesale pur-
chase Of $4,000 pounds of oats, 800
pounds Of starch, 800 pounds Of soda,
100 gallons of syrup and IS gallons
of glycerine.
The strychnine and saccharine were
ordered through w. E. Crouch, bio
logical assistant in charge, direct from,
the manufacturers, under the coop
erative plan arranged by the univer-
sity extension division and the bio
logical survey. This purchase direct
from the manufacturers netted saw
ing Of $500 from the purchase price
that could be obtained from wholesale
drug companies. The other materials
were purchased in wholesale lots, at
a saving of so from retail prices.
Much Preliminary Work.
During April and May, many dem
onstrations were arranged through
community chairmen by the commun-
ity committees, but so large an am
cunt Of territory had to be covered
and the demands for poison were 50
increased that we were forced to
abandon this method and prepare all
the poisoned grain at one central mix
ing station at Malad. The grain was
then delivered the various community
chairmen over the county, and they
in turn had charge of sale and dis
tribution in their communities. The
community chairmen we're instructed
by the county agent In methods Of
scattering the bait. and they in turr
gave demonstrations to farmers.
The poisoned grain was furnished &c
the farmers at cost. No poison no,
grain was distributed free of charge
The formula recommended by the
bureau of biological survey for tn,
destruction of the Richardson squire
was used successfully on this partic.
ular species. but on the other two
species, known as the Piute and Ida
hoensis. the bureau had no formuls
to recommend.
The Formula Used.
Numerous formulas and prepare
tions were tried, which resulted in
failure. Considerable Investigations
work was carried out by T. B. Muir
ray of the bureau of biological survey
and the county agent. The following
formula was finally developed which
gave very satisfactory results:
l. Mix thoroughly IS ounces oi
strychnine alkaloid (powered) and Il
ounces baking soda.
2. Sift this into IS quarts of thin
hot starch paste and stir to a cream,