596 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



of ground squirrels in California, a comprehensive summary embracing 

 all of these methods for control has been lacking. By assembling the 

 salient features of this investigation in a single number of the Monthly 

 Bulletin of the State Commission of Horticulture, such descriptions and 

 measures of control are immediately available, comprising not only a 

 manual for the use of county horticultural commissioners and systematic 

 workers, but a veritable textbook, through the aid of which it is now 

 possible for the agricultural teacher throughout the public schools to 

 place the subject clearly and concisely before the young patriots who 

 are aiding so largely in the work of extermination. Especial care has 

 been exercised that the work be presented in a manner to win the 

 approval of the farmers and horticulturists and it will prove of inesti- 

 mable educational value to them, since they now have come to view the 

 depredations of ground squirrels as a truly serious and expensive 

 avenue of loss. 



The effectiveness of the work of the Rodent Control Division of the 

 State Commission of Horticulture has been increased materially through 

 the efforts of Mr. E. W. Nelson, chief of the Bureau of Biological Sur- 

 vey, United States Department of Agriculture, and Mr. P. E. Garlough, 

 biological assistant of the same bureau, and credit is also due for the 

 aid accorded by Dr. W. C. Billings of the United States Public Health 

 Service. 



Untiring and enthusiastic support has been given throughout 

 California by many county horticultural commissioners who have con- 

 tributed to the work. 



For the detailed study of the life histories and habits of the species 

 we are especially indebted to Dr. Joseph Grinnell, director of the 

 museum, to Mr. Joseph Dixon, curator of mammals, and other members 

 of the staff of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of the University of 

 California. 



Professor W. T. Shaw, zoologist, Washington State College, will be 

 appreciated for his special study of the Columbian ground squirrel, and 

 we extend our thanks to Professor John S. Burd of the University 

 of California for his able and timely contribution. 



Expressions of appreciation are due, for the services rendered by the 

 Rodent Control Division especially through the work of Mr. Jaeobsen, 

 the superintendent, and Mr. Christierson, the assistant superintendent, 

 through whose untiring efforts the success of the rodent campaign was 

 so largely determined and assured. 



The State Commissioner of Horticulture now offers to the interested 

 public and the horticultural interests of California the composite results 

 of the work against the destructive ground squirrels of California. 

 The campaign which started as one of repression, or at best control, 

 must assume, in the future proportions well calculated almost to mean 

 extermination, and while the work at times was beset with innumerable 

 obstacles, with the earnest, whole-hearted support accorded by all fac- 

 tors throughout the campaign, we may rest in the realization that 

 we have fought a good fight, and based on the scope of activities as 

 determined by the resources at our command, we have been successful. 



G. H. Hecke, 



State Commissioner of Horticulture. 



4 



