Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1875 — The Gopher Hunter of the Alfalfa Fields. [ARTICLE]

The Gopher Hunter of the Alfalfa Fields.

The blue crane or heron of California is one of .the most useful of the feathered tribe. In a field of Alfalfa, where the mounds (thrown up by the gophers are the way be seen the long-legged crane with its sharp, yellow bill, standing guard over come fresh earth being distributed by the greatest pest next to the squirrel known to the farmer. Unlike the Won of the swamps and marshes of Florid* its neck is stretched to its full length while watching its prey. It js generally found lauding “fftone in the

field as if it had deserted its kind and as though its mission was to act the solitary sentinel of the meadow. Its bill is sharp, and as the gopher with its feet and head pushing the soil comes to the surface it is sent through him like a dirk-knife and he is brought out as if on a skewer. It seldom misses its mark; when it does, as if disgusted with its blunder, it spreads Its wings and with its long legs stretched out behind takes its flight for another field. When the blackbirds flock in great numbers, picking up the scattered grain, the heron will often stand motionless as a stick till the birds gather around within reach, when it will send its sharp bill through one in an instant and make aS delicate a meal as a hunter could wish. This bird should be a favorite in this section of this country, and its destruction for sport should be discouraged. It is the only natural ally of the farmer for the extinction of one or the most troublesome pests to be found on our farms. —Southern California. —The following, compiled from the report of the Comptroller of State of Texas, shows the length of railroads within the State and the - estimated or assessed value per mile: Galveston, Houston & Henderson, 50 miles, valued at SIO,OOO per mile; Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio, 109 25-100 miles, valued at $lO,000 per mile; Houston & Texas Central, 501 47-100 miles, valued at $11,250 per mile; Texas Pacific, 313 72-100 miles, valued at SIO,OOO per mile; Texas A New Orleans, 108 miles, valued at $2,500 peg mile; Houston & Great Northern, 210 miles, valued,at SIO,OOO per mile; Gulf, West Texas A Pacific, 168 1-10 miles, valued at $8,600 per mile; Rio Grande, 22 miles, valued at $4,500 per mile. .Whoever buys a Mason & Hamlia Cabinet Organ may be sure he has got the best instrument of the class in the world, and this at the lowest price at which it can be afforded by the makers having greatest facilities for manufacture. " - Still toe crt is for the Wilson shuttle sewiiTg~m:rcT)tne. And why? Because it is the most perfect and desirable sewing machine for family use and manufacturing yet invented, and is the cheapest. The constant demand for this valuable machine has made it almost impossible for the manufacturers to supply the demand. Machines will be delivered at any railroad station in this county, free of transportation charges, if ordered through the company’s branch house at 197 State street, Chicago. They send an elegant catalogue and chromo circular free on application. This company want a few more good agents.