THE GROUND SQUIRRELS OF CALIFORNIA. 



709 



PROCLAMATION. 



Executive Department, 

 State of California. 



The State Commissioner of Horticulture has instituted 

 a campaign to destroy the ground squirrel throughout 

 the State. It is said that these rodents do an annual 

 damage to the amount of $30,000,000, a great part of this 

 damage consisting in the destruction of foodstuffs, and 

 in these times special efforts should be made to prevent 

 such loss. 



In connection with the campaign the State Commis- 

 sioner of Horticulture has personally offered prizes to 

 those schools of all classes which make the best records in 

 killing squirrels. I heartily endorse the plan, and I hope 

 that the efforts of those in charge of the campaign will 

 be crowned with success, and in connection therewith I 

 do hereby set aside the week of April 29th to May 4th 

 as Ground Squirrel Week, and trust that during that 

 time the school children and all other persons will do 

 their utmost to relieve the country of the ground squirrel 

 pest. 



William D. Stephens, 



Governor. 



Dated: Sacramento, April 8, 1918. 



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