THE PKAIRIE DOG MUST GO 33 



ceptacle in which to mix the grain with tlie poisoned starch ; but when large 

 quantities are needed the mixing may he done in a water trough with a shovel 

 and hoe. 



DISTRIBUTING THE POISONED GRAIN 



In distributing the grain each man has a sack slung over his shoulder 

 and walks across country, covering a strip about 75 feet wide, and putting 

 about 1/^ teaspoonful of the grain at each hole. The bait is placed about 

 18 inches from the mouth of the burrow, as experience has shown that if the 

 grain be placed in or down the hole it is either trampled underfoot or thrown 

 out. At times it can be distributed from the back of a horse, but where the 

 holes are close together this method has proved to be unsatisfactory. The 

 distribution takes place just as earl}' in the spring as weather conditions 

 will permit. The dogs are then hungry and will eat almost anything. As 

 goon as the green grass comes, they are not so likely to eat the bait. Clear 

 weather is desirable, as repeated rains or snows will tend to leach out the 

 poison. One bushel of grain makes approximately 4,000 baits, and one man 

 can easily distribute 6,000 baits, or ly^ bushels, a day. 



After the poisoning, one does not see all the dead dogs about, and at 

 first the work is likely to be thought a comparative failure. This is not the 

 case, however, for in some instances the dogs back into their burrows and 

 die underground. Examination of the treated areas also proves that few, if 

 any, birds are killed by the poison. Sometimes coyotes and foxes have de- 

 voured the carcasses. This results in an indirect poisoning, but that is no 

 great loss. Shooting prairie dogs has never resulted in any marked success, 

 as one can not approach within reasonable shooting distance, and since they 

 usually fall back into their holes when shot one can not be sure of the success 

 of his aim. Drowning out has been tried, but it is too slow a process. 



Though the work is slow, continued operations will tell in time. The 

 Forest Service has treated only areas within the National Forests. Now, 

 however, the Biological Survey is to take up the work both within and with- 

 out the Forests. Cooperation with stockraisers is the next step, and the 

 people who use the range see the importance of the work and are aiding it 

 as much as possible. 



Manufacturers, foresters, scientists and timher holders ivill he interested 

 in the announcement that the St. Louis Lumberman has just issued in pamphlet 

 form two important papers on the Utilization of Wood Waste by Walter B. 

 Harper, M.S., and Prof. G. B. FranUforter, of the School of Chemistry of the 

 University of Minnesota. 



A description of the chestnut blight with blanks to be filled in giving in- 

 formaton as to the presence or absence of the disease has been sent to all parts 

 of the state by the New York State Conservation Department. In this way aJ 

 very satisfactory and helpful location map has been prepared. 



The School of Forestry of Washington has added a course in logging engi- 

 neering this year. It is practically planned to meet the needs of men preparing 

 for careers as lumbermen. 



