Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 154, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1917 — STUPID GOPHER IS SERIOUS CROP PEST [ARTICLE]

STUPID GOPHER IS SERIOUS CROP PEST

Animals Multiply Fast in Alfalfa Fields—May Be Poisoned or Caught in Traps. The pocket gopher does more Injury to crops than any other mammal. Exterminate It by using poisoned potatoes or apples or by trapping, advises Dr. Lee R. Dice, Instructor In zoology In the Kansas State Agricultural college. “Alfalfa fields furnish almost ideal conditions for the development and multiplication of gophers as their burrows are not broken up by plowing and the root system provides an abundance of food,” said Doctor Dice.

“Gophers are stupid animals and will, blunder into almost any trap that is properly set, and they can be poisoned easily at little cost and labor. “The natural food of gophers consists of roots and seeds and succulent vegetation drawn down from the surface. Hence a substitute of poisoned potato, sweet potato or apple can be used effectively. A few grains of strychnine Inserted by means of the -tip of a penknife into such food placed in the burrows will serve the purpose. A sharp stick can be used to open the tunnel. The agricultural college supplies at cost a prepared poison for gopher extermination." Trapping is effective, steel traps set in tunnels being recommended. The light should be excluded by a board, which will also serve to keep the opening free not done the gopher wllf'come with a load of dirt to fill up the hole. Other traps are on the market. Besides destroying the root systems the gopher covers much vegetation with mounds of soil. This often hinders* harvesting as well as covers the grain.