352 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Wood Tilts have oontiiuied to do damafj^e in some localities, es- 

 pecially in forest and nursery plantations throughout the West. As 

 cases of tliis kind wow reported they were dealt with by representa- 

 tives of the bureau in tlie territory affected by means of written in- 

 structions or demonstrations. 



Cotton rats and rice rats have been responsible for considerable 

 damage in Fh^rida to the sugar-cane crop. Effective methods of 

 poisoning these animals were determined and the planters advised 

 regarding practical procedure. 



BEAVERS AND WOOnCHICKS. 



In some localities, especially in the State of Washington, beavers 

 caused considerable damage to orchards and farm crops as well 

 as to timber in areas along streams where they construct their dams 

 and houses. Inxestigation disclosed that in many cases the damage 

 was sufficiently serious to warrant removal of the animals. Arrange- 

 ments were made with State game officials for the necessary captures 

 and for the removal of the beavers to other places where they could 

 be permitted to multipl}' without endangering valuable timber sup- 

 plies or cultivated crops. 



Mountain beavers, or sewellels, also have continued to do con- 

 siderable damage in Washington and Oregon to crops and vines 

 planted on areas adjacent to timber lands occupied by these animals, 

 and bureau representatives have demonstrated methods for their 

 control. 



Woodcluicks have been a source of annoyance and loss to gardeners, 

 truck growers, and farmers throughout New England and the North- 

 ern States west to Oregon and Washington. Following the introduc- 

 tion of alfalfa, clover, and succulent root crops in the Northwestern 

 States, woodchucks have concentrated about these new sources of 

 food supply, frequently traveling considerable distances to feed upon 

 them. Their depredations have caused heavy losses, wide strips 

 along the borders of fields often being completely destroyed. As 

 the animals live under a great variety of conditions throughout the 

 infested area, it has been necessary to develop methods adapted to 

 meet the different conditions prevailing. Demonstrations are given 

 or circulars outlining procedure issued as required by indi^dduals or 

 communities. 



HOUSE EATS AND MICE. 



The educational campaign to acquaint the public with the serious- 

 ness of the drain on the Nation's food resources through depredations 

 of house rats and mice has been continued. This has involved con- 

 siderable investigational work with a view to improving methods of 

 poisoning and trapping the animals, devising effective means of ex- 

 cluding them from buildimrs and places wdiere they could damage 

 food or other stored property, and employing deterrents where other 

 means of exclusion are impracticable. 



In response to inquiries from points throughout the United States, 

 bulletins, circulars, and other information regarding practical meas- 

 ures for destroying rats and excluding them through rat-proof con- 

 structien and the use of deterrents have been supplied. Requests have 



