Damage to farm equipment such as breaking or dulling of mowing machine 

 blades should not be minimized. Also, these holes are trips for catching wheels 

 and causing equipment to get stuck or even overturned. 



This damage which is indirectly caused by woodchucks can be prevented 

 by an early inspection of your orchard about April, Freshly excavated soil 

 at the burrow opening is a positive indication of recent activity. Only active 

 burrows should be treated. The Gas Cartridge is the easiest and most effect- 

 ive means of eliminating these rodents and the best time to use the cartridge 

 is before the young have left the burrow. It is equally important to attain good 

 peripheral control in hedgerows, woodlands, and brushy areas bordering your orchard; 

 this will keep migrants, who reside in these adjacent areas, from moving into 

 your orchard. Gas Cartridges may not be so effective where burrows are hidden 

 in stonewalls, under outbuildings, and in other inaccessible places. In cases 

 like these, trapping or shooting is the best solution. A No. 2 Trap is a must 

 and we recommend a coil-spring type because it catches the chuck high on the leg 

 and prevents him from twisting or pulling out. Traps should be set in a burrow 

 opening or in a travel lane and should be somewhat concealed. Shooting shouldn't 

 be discounted as a control method, especially if the owners or neighbors enjoy 

 this sport. 



The following facts are set forth to dispel some common misconceptions 

 relative to controlling woodchucks: (1) There is usually only one woodchuck 

 to each burrow but they are polygamous and visit frequently, especially during 

 the mating season; (2) Wandering chucks and other burrowing animals (especially 

 skunks) will set up housekeeping in a burrow that has been gassed and filled in, 

 giving people the erroneous impression that the original occupant was not elimi- 

 nated. This is also the reason why perimeter control is so important; (3) 

 There is very little danger in handling Gas Cartridges if the directions are 

 followed,, They jdo not explode --they merely burn with great intensity and in 

 so doing give off a poisonous gas. 



Gas Cartridges may be purchased through most farm cooperatives, garden 

 and hardv/are supply stores, or directly from the Rodent Control Fund, Univerr 

 sity of Massachusetts, Liberal Arts Annex, Amherst, Massachusetts. When 

 purchased from the Rodent Control Fund, the current price, f.o.b. Amherst , is: 

 7 1/4 cents each for orders of 200 or more; 9 cents each for orders of less 

 than 200. 



If control measures are carried out according to our recommendations, 

 regarding proper time and the method employed, woodchuck control can be 

 accomplished at a minimum expense and with very little effort. 



---John W. Peterson 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



RESULTS OF THE APPLE ORCH/vRD IRRIGATION EXPERIMENT IN 1957 



In 1956 an apple orchard irrigation experiment was undertaken in South 

 Amherst, Massachusetts to learn more about the irrigation needs of our Massachu- 

 setts orchards. 



