344 AXKUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



MOLES. 



Complaints concerning damage by moles in lawns, gardens, and 

 truck farms have received attention, and much of the damage re- 

 Ijorted has been found to be due to mice following in the mole run- 

 ways. This is generally the case Avhere sprouting grain, vegetables, 

 and flower bulbs are being eaten. Moles do real damage by lifting 

 up the soil into ridges, so that grasses or other plants are killed by 

 the breaking or drying out of the roots. This is the more common 

 type of injury in the Eastern States. In western Washington and 

 Oregon and in northwestern California, moles, in connection with 

 their burrowing activities, also pile up mounds of dirt which cover 

 and destroy crop or forage plants and interfere with the use of har- 

 vesting machinery. Where complaints of this kind were received, 

 practical methods of control were supplied through correspondence, 

 published material, or demonstrations. 



PRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC RABBITS. 



Considerable interest has continued in the production of domestic 

 rabbits as a source of meat and fur. The bureau has kept in touch 

 with leading rabbit producers and officials of National and State 

 organizations of rabbit breeders. Information has been furnished 

 regarding the care, feeding, and management of rabbits, and, in 

 cooperation with the Bureau of Markets and Crop Estimates, re- 

 garding practical procedure in developing a market for the animals 

 produced. 



FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. 



Important progress has been made in -investigations pertaining to 

 the rearing of wild fur-bearing animals in captivity. The rapid 

 development witliin the United States of the industry of rearing 

 silver, black, and cross foxes has necessitated efforts to Avork out 

 practical methods for handling the problems constantly confronting 

 the fur farmer regarding the health of tlie animals in captivity. 

 During the year a large percentage of the fox farms in this country 

 and Canada wei'e visited by experienced representatives of the bureau 

 for the i^urpose of studying practices of feeding and management 

 employed and conditions affecting the health and fecundity of the 

 animals, and of conferring with fox ranchers regarding problems 

 requiring solution. Because of the great interest manifested in this 

 •^vork on the part of those engaged in the industry a bulletin is being 

 prepared embodying an analysis of conditions found and suggestions 

 for their improvement. 



A questionnaire was sent out in the spring of 1922 to persons 

 engaged in raising fur-bearing animals in the United States, in order 

 to obtain comprehensive information regarding the extent of the 

 industry, the success attained, and the capital invested. It has 

 proved somewhat difficult to gather complete and authentic informa- 

 tion, as some breeders ajjpear to be suspicious or neglectful and fail 

 to fill out and return the blanks. 



The fur farms reporting were distributed through the folloAving 

 25 States: California, Colorado, Idaho. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 

 Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts. Michigan. Minnesota. Missouri, Mon- 

 tana, New Hampshire. New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio,. 



