R-U.S.N. 8/12/32 



3- 



In alfalfa fields and meadows, pocket gophers eat the stems and roots, 

 while their earth mounds do added damage by covering and destroying part of 

 the crop. Not only that, but in their industrious tunneling for food, these 

 gophers often prevent irrigation farmers from getting enough v/ater on the 

 alfsLlfa to make a full crop. The underground tunnels carry the water off in 

 streams and waste v/hat is needed for the crop. 



Pocket gophers and other rodents take up their residence in the banks 

 of irrigation ditches, and their burrows cause expensive brtiaks in these 

 ditches. The gophers also fill tip a great part of some of tho small local 

 ditches by throwing the earth out from their burrows, in the ditch banks. 



In places they also do considerable damage in orchards, and gardens, 

 and potato fields by eating the roots, and tubers, and other underground 

 parts of trees and plants. In some orchards, the trees lean one way or the 

 other, because the pocket gophers have cut off part of the roots. 



Mr. Bailey says it is especially important to be able to control the 

 abundance of pocket gophers on irrigated farms. G-opher mounds are also very 

 troublesome to the farmer in mowing. If the sickle is lowered to get a full 

 cut, it is sure to run through heaps of sand and gravel thrown out by 

 gophers. That, of course, dulls the mowing blade. 



However, Mr, Bailey points out that pocket gophers may be kept under 

 control and that there is little excuse for leaving them in the fields in any 

 locality where they can do damage. And they can do considerable damage, and 

 don't forget that. The United States Biological Survey, however, helps fanner 

 by giving directions for controlling pocket gophers in special cases that 

 are not easily handled. 



The results of pocket-gopher depredations are only too evident. But 

 their habits underground are still largely unknown. Mr. Bailey says tharo i9 

 much to be learned of their hidden lives. And, now to conclude our little 

 tale of the pocket gopher with a word about the short tail of the poclcet 

 gopher itself, Mr. Bailey says the pocket gopher' s tail is useful mainly as 

 an organ of touch. It helps guide the little miner backward through its 

 tunnel. 



*** 



AIvfNOUNCE^CHT ; You have just listened to a. short tale of the pocket gopher, 

 as relai/'ed to you from Mr. Vernon Bailey, chief field naturalist of the 

 United States Biological Survey. T7e will have another visit with Uncle Sam* s 

 Naturalists two weeks from today. 



