'3 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Introduction 301 



The Nevada outbreak 302 



Conditions favoring mouse plagues in the United States 302 



Nature and duration of mouse plagues 303 



The plague mouse 305 



Control of mouse plagues 305 



Prevention of plagues 309 



Conclusion 309 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Page. 



Plate XXI. Lombardy poplar girdled by field mice 304 



XXII. Alfalfa destroyed by field mice 304 



XXIII. The Carson meadow mouse 304 



XXIV. Fig. 1. Preparation and sacking of alfalfa hay for poisoning. — 



Fig. 2. Gulls destroying field mice in the alfalfa fields of Hum- 

 boldt Valley 308 



XXV. Fig. 1. Brush drag used to obliterate mouse burrows. — Fig. 2. 



Effect of brush drag 308 



III 



