DAMAGE DONE BY GOPHERS. 



19 



the Mississippi Valley and Southern States, the plates are arranged in 

 such a way that 38 distinct single cuts are made by the forward stroke of 

 the jaw and 28 by the backward stroke. In a tame Gopher it was ascer- 

 tained by actual count that 200 complete strokes are made each minute. 

 On this basis the number of cuts made each minute on the forward 

 stroke would be 7,600, and on the backward stroke 5,600, making a 

 grand total of 13,200 cuts a minute while the jaws are in active operation. 



ig. 5. — Root of apple-tree gnawed off by Pocket Gopher. 

 DAMAGE DONE BY GOPHERS. 



Gophers injure farms in two different ways: By eating crops and by 

 burrowing in hillsides, meadows, and the banks of artificial water 

 courses. Full accounts of the damage done may be found in the special 

 articles on the different species. Here it is necessary to mention the 

 ravages in a general way only. 



Injury to roots, tubers, and garden, vegetables. — Gophers are especially 

 fond of starchy, tuberous or bulbous roots like potatoes, turnips, car- 



