By W. B. Bell, 

 Assistant Biologist in Economic Investigations, 

 Bureau of Biological Survey. 



TO ELIMINATE a crop-production loss of $500,000,000 

 a year, due to rodents, looks like :i staggering under- 

 taking. When a leak is detected in a corporation, mill, or 

 factory and a means of prevention is found, it is possible to 

 issue orders putting improved practice into effect forthwith. 

 Xot so in the case of losses caused by rodent pests: you can 

 not order the rodents to stop eating. 



The magnitude of the task is measured by the length 

 and breadth of the whole of the United States, and its exe- 

 cution requires not only action by Federal and State officials, 

 but the voluntary cooperation of hundreds of thousands of 

 people who must be enlisted in the movement. A great 

 educational campaign must be conducted to fix public atten- 

 tion upon the need, to give assurance as to the practical 

 character of the methods to be employed, and to obtain con- 

 certed action by private, State, and Federal agencies. Plans 

 and means of organization must be provided, trained and 

 experienced leadership secured, cooperation of great num- 

 bers of people effected, legislation enacted, financial sup- 

 port furnished, and special supplies procured and laid down 

 at the point of use. 



The actual carrying forward of this work has afforded a 

 fine instance not only of willingness to cooperate but of co- 



Kepaiate No. 8.">."., from Yearbook of the I". S. Department of Agriculture, 1920. 

 470!i4°-21— 1 



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