DeatK to the Rodents. 



431 



merit by the world appeal to the United States at this time 

 for cereal and meat products. Cutting off losses of grain 

 crops due to rodent depredations, thus making possible the 

 harvesting of the entire crop, was a most direct, practical, 

 and economical way of increasing the available supply of 

 grain. Farmers were prompt to recognize this and to join in 

 the movement, as its effectiveness and value were demon- 

 strated by Department specialists and county agents. Stock- 

 men were quick also to see that the saving of alfalfa and 

 range grasses from being eaten and uprooted by rodents af- 

 forded an immediate means of carrying and finishing for 

 market greater numbers of cattle and sheep, thus increasing 

 the urgently needed supply of meat, hides, and wool. With 

 the enthusiastic and hearty cooperation of extension direc- 

 tors, county agents, State officials, farmers, and stockmen, the 

 work has been extended until now it embraces thoroughly 

 organized aggressive campaigns in 16 western States. 



Four Tons of Strychnine for Prairie Dogs 

 and Ground Squirrels. 



The extent of operations at the present time is indicated 

 by the fact that in cooperative undertakings during the past 

 year Biological Survey field men have guided farmers and 

 stockmen in the destruction of prairie dogs and ground 

 squirrels on over 18,000,000 acres of farm and range lands, 

 and have re-treated 14,672,000 acres in follow-up work to 

 complete eradication. The Survey parties, aided by labor 

 contributed by cooperating farmers, have destroyed most 

 of the prairie dogs and ground squirrels on approximately 

 1,000,000 acres of the public domain. More than 4,500,000 

 acres of public lands have already been largely freed from 

 prairie dogs, and this work at the present time is closely 

 correlated with the cooperative campaigns on private lands. 

 Over 132,000 farmers and stockmen joined in this work, and 

 1,610 tons of poisoned grain were distributed on infested 

 lands. This required the purchase, preparation, and use of 

 over 4 tons of strychnine. 



The estimated saving in crops and range grasses, based 

 largely on statements of farmers and stockmen themselves, 

 amounts to more than $11,000,000 for the past season. Farm- 

 ers report in many cases a crop return of $15 to $20 for each 



