THE GROUND SQUIRRELS OF CALIFORNIA. 



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It is planned to continue these organized campaigns on a greatly 

 enlarged scale during the coming year, and it is now evident that by 

 persistent, united effort on the part of federal, state, county and other 

 local organizations co-operating with the landowners, crops can be 

 effectively protected from the depredations of these serious agricultural 

 pests and the production of food in California greatly increased. 



TIMELY TOPICS DURING SQUIRREL WEEK, APRIL 29-MAY 4, 1918. 

 Kill the ground squirrel NOAV and AT ALL TIMES. 



The United States Government is controlling the ground squirrel on government 

 lands, the national forests, etc. The State Rodent Control Division is doing it on 

 state lands and the individual must do it on his property to complete the link which 

 means absolute control of this pest. 



The ground squirrel is a voracious feeder and reproduces rapidly. 



The usual annual increase of a pair of ground squirrels consists of one litter of 

 from five to nine young, so that one breeding female killed before the young are 

 able to take care of themselves is equal to the destruction of from six to ten squirrels 

 later in the season. 



Unity of action is needed. Do not wait for the other fellow, but get to work at 

 once. He will fall in line. 



The control of this pest means food conserved for ourselves and our allies, and 

 more, it means increased production. 



The control of ground squirrels has been attempted for many years, but never 

 before has there been such a concerted effort made to exterminate them. The cam- 

 paign NOW ON has the support and indorsement of every organization and agency 

 in California today, interested in food conservation and increased food production. 



The depredations of the ground squirrel in California, annually, will support 

 several thousand families at an average annual expense for food of $500. 



The ground squirrel destroys grain, fruit and nuts ; undermines bridges, railroad 

 embankments and irrigation canals and spreads disease. It is therefore a most 

 undesirable citizen. 



The law says kill them, but do it voluntarily. 



The funeral of one pioneer we all are glad to attend, the ground squirrel. 



He destroys $30,000,000 worth of products annually. 



This amounts to $55 each for every school child in California. 



In some localities the ground squiirel reduces the grain yield 50 per cent. 



The United States Department of Agriculture, through its Bureau of Biological 

 Survey, has set aside a fund of approximately $10,000 to be used solely upon 

 national forests and government lands. 



The United States Public Health Service has charge of operations to check the 

 spread of bubonic plague, carried by the ground squirrel flea, and is thereby safe- 

 guarding the health of everyone in California. 



The horticultural commissioner in each county is assisting the farmer by com- 

 pelling the landowners, who in past seasons have refused to co-operate, to clean up. 



The Agricultural Extension Division of the University of California, with the 

 well organized Farm Bureau System, has pledged co-operative support through the 

 farm advisers. 



The United States Forest Service will aid every county horticultural commis- 

 sioner in the work of eradicating squirrels within the national forests by the 

 assistance of forest rangers. 



The State Council of Defense and the Food Administration have lined up to 

 back the movement. 



Many chambers of commerce and boards of trade have guaranteed full backing 

 to the horticultural commissioners in their worthy work. 



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