MISCHIEF OF MEADOW-MOUSE 61 



more of the district, and the main body of mice 

 was gradually progressing to fresh fields. 

 From this time, however, the abatement of the 

 plague was rapid. By March 15, the invasion 

 of fresh lands had ceased, though mice contin- 

 ued considerably in excess of normal abundance 

 until May. By August they had practically 

 disappeared from the valley. This scourge left 

 a dismal scene of destruction over four-fifths 

 of the cultivated area in the district. Of 20,- 

 000 acres in alfalfa, 15,000 y were so completely 

 destroyed as to require replanting. Consider- 

 ing the actual losses in crops and the cost of 

 restoring the alfalfa fields, and allowing for the 

 value of the wheat which replaced alfalfa in 

 most of the ruined fields for the season of 1908, 

 Mr. Piper estimates the loss in this district at 

 $250,000. 



Some interesting particulars are recorded 

 as to the diminution of the horde, which was 

 preyed upon by a gathered crowd of predatory 

 birds, mammals and reptiles, as well as ex- 

 tensively poisoned, yet succumbed at last 

 mainly to natural mortality, not to any spe- 

 cific bacterial disease. 



