Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1874 — Exterminating Woodchucks. [ARTICLE]

Exterminating Woodchucks.

On many farms the crops and cultivated fields suffer seriously from the ravages of woodchucks. I often see inquiries in the agricultural papers how to get rid of them. I have been troubled very much with them; they even came near the buildings and made their places of abode without fear of danger. They did so much damage that I determined to make war upon them. I procured a dog, which proved a good one for the business, and was not long in disposing ot a large number. I also got some traps, and made a business of catching'tliem wherever found. I prefer the traps made with a C spring, which can be had at most hardware stores. They are cheap; the one which has caught the most cost only fifty cents. They are small ana can be set in small burrows, and are very effective in holdingthe woodchucks when caught. By pursuing this course for three years their numbers have decreased very much. If they did not come in from adjoining farms I-should be completely rid of them. I have found that they are migratory in their habits. Every burrow does not have an occupant. In exterminating them it is best to destroy their habitations by filling up with stones and earth. Empty tenements invite undesirable tenants, and unless destroyed they' will make use of them for sheltet aud safety in moving from place to place; and often stop when they would nor otherwise if they had to dig new holes. It is important to get those living in the pastures and wood!, as they will soon seek the fields. A good dog will visit the places where they live a number of times daily, and often surprise and capture them. They are not slow to leave a locality which abounds in dogs and traps, regarding such places as unhealthy. In the task of exterminating woodchucks nothing but well-directed efloriwill be Sticces-fill. Farmers spend much time in fighting enemies to their crops, and, should not rest until they have ex.tended the fight to the woodchuck. — Car. Country Gentleman.

The Lawrence (Mass.) Sentinel» ays, that a number of months since a Haverhill man desired s&me 'accommodation of the Boston & Maine Road, but wa3 refused. The action so provoked him that he determined to get square by some, qteans, and at length, noticing that there was no draw in the failroad bridge near the citvj' he determined to put the company to the expense of building one. -So he commenced building a schooner of about 200 tons at a point above the bridge, and now, as it, is nearly ready to launch, he will goon load it'with legitimate freight, sail down Jo the bridge and demand passage, which the railroad people must grant him whether or no. .

—There is a man living at the Carroll County (N. H.) ''farm who spent all his property in a law-suit where the sum involved was only SB, and he had two opportunities to settle the same for $5, when he knew he was in the wrong. The song which is sung in heaven must be learned on earth.