30 THE BROWN EAT IN THE UNITED STATES. 



The extensive use of tinned provisions has also greatly diminished the 

 losses to ship stores. 



The destruction of mail sacks and their contents by rats during 

 transportation on ships and at railway stations is a common source 

 of loss. Grain sacks and bagging of all kinds are injured by rats 

 more than by wear. 



EXTENT OF DAMAGE BY RATS AND MICE IN CITIES. 



During January and February, 1908, the writer personally inter- 

 viewed about 500 business men in Washington and more than 100 

 in Baltimore for the purpose of securing data upon which to base 

 an estimate of the probable amount of injury done to property by 

 rats and mice in cities. The persons interviewed included dealers 

 in various kinds of merchandise, feeders of horses, managers of hotels 

 and restaurants, and manufacturers. The inquiries included all sec- 

 tions of the two cities and small dealers as well as large. Estimates 

 of losses experienced during the calendar year 1907 were asked for, 

 and, while some of the responses were mere guesses, the losses re- 

 ported furnish a fairly reliable basis for averages. 



Of 499 firms interviewed in Washington, 71 reported no losses, 83 

 were unable to give estimates, and 345 reported damages aggregating 

 $36,100. Of the firms seen, no account was taken of about two score 

 alien dealers in groceries or fruits who, probably because of fears of 

 health inspection, would not admit that they were troubled by rats or 

 mice, although evidences of rat damage were plainly visible in their 

 stores. 



The whole number of firms in the city engaged in the lines of busi- 

 ness investigated is about 4,500. If those whose reports were con- 

 sidered had average losses, the total for the city would be upward of 

 $300,000; but, to avoid exaggeration, a probable average per firm in 

 each kind of business was calculated separately. With reasonable re- 

 ductions made in this way, the total loss on merchandise in the city 

 was estimated at $193,615. The several lines of trade not included 

 would increase the total for the entire city to more than $200,000. 



Besides the above, great loss is experienced in injury to buildings — 

 public, business, and private. The loss on furniture and fixtures also 

 is great. If we estimate the losses in private residences — including 

 personal property and food destroyed, depreciation of property, and 

 the cost of traps, poisons, cats, dogs, and other means of fighting 

 rats — as averaging $4 for each residence, the total amounts to 

 $200,000 a year also. It is conservative to place the entire yearly loss 

 to the people of Washington from rats and mice at $400,000. 



Inquiries in Baltimore developed the fact that, in proportion to 

 amount of business and population, the damage from rats and mice is 

 fully as great as in Washington. The portion of Baltimore rebuilt 



