Cottonwood Chronicle Newspaper, January 25, 1918, Page 5

TRAPS STOP MOLES Raider Destroys Harmful Insects and Need Not Be Exter- minated. LIFE HABITS OF EXPLORER Leveling of Ridges by Means of Roller Tends to Discourage Further in. cursions of Animals—Ready Market for Skins, (Pre) ared by the Unit a . nae of Ya hes Rte ee The case against the garden mole is not clear-cut. The damage that it does by burrowing in the soil and uprooting plants is somewhat offset by its help- ful habit of feeding upon ingects and in working the soil. A specialist in the bureau of biological survey of the United States department of agricul- ture, who has made a careful study of this underground explorer, concludes that judgment against the mole may be rendered when it actually invades the lawn or garden—the overt act— but that no general warfare against an insect-eating mammal should be en- couraged. In Farmers’. Bulletin 583, “The Common Mole of Eastern United States,” a report is made of investi- gations in the life habits and meth- ods of destroying this animal when necessary. Trapping is the most effective means for putting an end to mole depreda- tions. Although this bulletin consid- ers the common garden mole of East- ern United States, to a great extent the instructions for trapping it apply to all American moles. Three general types of traps—the harpoon, the scis- sors-Jaw, and the choker—are on the market, and most of them give good results. Specific instructions for handling any particular make should be obtainable from the manufacturer. Successful Mole Trap. In generaly a mole trap can be suc- cessfully operated only when set on that part of the runway that is near enough to the surface to upridge the sod or soil. A little observation will soon enable one to distinguish the new- er and more frequently used runways from those that have been partially or wholly abandoned. In placing the trap, one of the stretches of the run that seems to be leading in some defi- aite direction should be selected rath-9 er than one of the turns of a laby- tinth that may not be traversed every Mole Traps—a, Harpoon; b, Scissor + Jaw; c, Choker, time the mole comes into the vicinity. Before setting the trap it is well to ascertain the course of the burrow by thrusting down a lead pencil or a stick of about the same size. The trap se- lected should then be lined up with the course as nearly qs possible; that is, the jaws of the scissor-jaw type should be astride it, the loops of the choker type should encircle it, and the spikes of the harpoon type should be directly above it. If the harpoon type is used, it Is best to force the im- paling spikes into the ground once or twice to facilitate their penetrating into the burrow when thé trap is later sprung. This type of trap injures the pelts of moles, and is not recommend- ed for use when it is desired to pre- serve the fur. Repeated leveling of the mole ridges on the lawn by means of a roller not only tends to discourage the animals from making further incursions, but prevents that injury to the grass roots which otherwise would result, and restores to the lawn its more sightly appearance. Unjustly Blamed. The mole is. blamed for much dam- age it does not do, the specialist ex- plains, because other small animals, particularly voles or meadow mice, deer mice, and sometimes ordinary house mice use the convenient run- ways of the mole for marauding. Most of the injury to seed grains, tubers, and roots of cultivated plants is di- rectly chargeable to these intruding rodents, as an examination of the toothmarks on the damaged prod- ucts will show. From an examination of the stomach y contents of 200 moles taken in all months of the year it was found that earthworms and white gyubs constitute the bulk of the food. Beetles and thei K.cvae anc other insects that en- ter the ground, spiders, centipedes, cocoons, and pupsria also form a part of the diet. In one stomach were found the remains of 171 small white grubs, ip another 10 cutworms, and in an- other 12 earthworms, The presence of starchy material in some of the stomachs is proof that the mole oc- easionally finds vegetable food, as cer- tain seed grains, softened by con- tact with the moist soil, an acceptable addition to its worm and insect diet. Seed coats of corn, wheat, oats, and Peanuts have been identified in a few stomachs, Market for Skins. Moleskins have found a ready mak ket in recent years owing to the grad- ually decreasing number of wild fur- bearing animals, A new industry amounting to many thousands of dol- lars annually might be developed in this country in the utilization of mole- skins, the specialist believes. It is not feasible to attempt to breed moles for their pelts, but farmers’ boys or oth- ers may easily earn small profits by capturing moles found damaging crops or seriously interfering with garden plants, cemeteries or lawns. In- formation regarding addresses of firms that will purchase moleskins, the care of skins, and home tanning will be furnished by the biological survey on request. SOIL SERVES AS A STOMACH Expression “Avaltable Plant Food” Is Explained by Expert of Mis. souril College. Every reader of a farm paper must have encountered frequently the ex- pression “available plant food.” As defined by R. R. Hudelson of the Unt- versity of Missouri College of Agricul- ture, it means the plant food which will readily dissolve in the soil water so that the plant can take it up. In the animal stomach there are certain digestive fluids that dissolve the food so that it can be absorbed into the blood stream. The soll must serve as 4 stomach’ for plants and as the plant food dissolves in the soil water it is absorbed into the plant juices and moves up through the plant, where it can be used. The extra water evapo- rates from the leaves and moves up, giving a constant circulation. From this it can be seen that only dissolved plant food can be used. Almost all 30il materials can be dissolved to a slight extent, but often the rate of dissolving is too slow. PREVENT DISEASE OF STOCK Many Places Where Parasites and Germs Are Harbored—Danger in Feeding Green Corn. Proper cleaning of the farm would largely eliminate sickness of stock Many persons think their place is properly cleaned -when in reality it has dozens of places in the lots and pastures which are harbors for para- sites and disease germs. There is scarcely a vicinity, where hogs are grown to any extent, that has not some disease. The same dras- tic measures that are used with foot- and-mouth disease, glanders, or any other fatal stock disease should be taken to free these vicinities from hog cholera, There are only a very few herds that are not infected more or less with parasites. There is much danger from feeding green corn since it has a na- tural tendency to lower the vitality of growing hogs. JRDER FRUIT CRATES EARLY United States Department of Agricul- ture Urges Farmers to Make Nec- essary Preparation. Fruit growers are again being urged oy the United States department of agriculture to place their orders for truit packages at the earliest possible moment in order to insure their de- livery when needed. It seems that the supply is likely to be scarce and the price high. Shipments should be made carly as there is likely to be a slow Jelivery of anything that looks like aon-perishable freight. LIGHTER SOILS FOR MILLET Plants Are Heavy Feeders and Need Full Supply of Plant Food for Their Best Growth. Millet does best.on the lighter soils and those that are well drained, loams and sandy loams giving the largest yields, Heavy, poorly drained soils are antirely unfit for the crop. The plants are heavy feeders, and need a full sup- oly of plant food for their best growth, On poor land, finely rotted stable manure should be plowed down before planting. OATS AND PEA HAY MIXTURE Rather Hard to Cure on Account of High Moisture Content—Handle Hay Carefully. This mixture is rather hard to cure on account of its high content of mois- ture. It should be cut when the oats are in the milk and not later to make the Best hay. The hay should be han- dled carefully and kept cocked if the weather is unfavorable. The less it is exposed to rain after being cut the better hay. it makes. CULTIVATE EARLY AND OFTEN Constant Work Will Keep Soil in Ideal Physical Condition and Keep Out Harmful Weeds. Céohstant cultivation should be the | other auctioneer in rule, for this will keep the soil in an | and Idaho. Why? ideal physical condition for the roots uct them on business to grow in, besides keeping the weeds conduct in check. Cultivate early and persist- ently and keep abead of the weeds. 2 Increases Farm Efficiency BY SAVING TIME AND LABOR The Delce is a complete electric plant. So simple, reliable and eco- nomical that you cannot afford to be without it. It makes electric light and power available anywhere. Why not enjoy the comfort and con- venience of electric light in your home and outbuildings----brilliant, cool and safe. -NOW is the best time to buy a Delco plant as the price will advance $45 within a few days. We are ready to install the plant and wire your build- ings promptly. Hoene Hardware ——— ——I I dC) 2 I (—— ES Dr. Wesley F. Orr Phy sician and Surgeon Office in Simon! Building. Pacific and Nezperce Phones COTTONWOOD, IDAHO. LCO Li DELCO LIGHT — The Complete Electric Light and. Power Plant. Good Wood for Sale Notice for Publication Fift ‘ds of di 11 i Department of the Interior, U, 8. Land Off nt of the In! ior, U. S. Tan ice ity cords Of Ory YeHOw. PUP! | cremiston, taaho; an, st, 1918; wood, cut last winter, delivered] Notice is hereby given that Percheron horses; Shorthorn cattle, both sexes; also some big bronze tur- Dr. a E. Reilly DENTIST Nezperce and Bel] phones aso Bee. Dr. J. E. Smith DENTIST COTTONWOOD (One Door anor Baker's Store) R. F. Fulton Attorney at Law Probate and Real Es- tate Law a Specialty. Office in Bank of Camas Prairie Bldg at Grangeville Dr. McKeen Boyce GRADUATE LICENSED VETERINARIAN Calls answered day or night-and satis- ‘faction guaranteed. COTTONWOOD, IDAHO H. H, Nuxoll NOTARY PUBLIC See me for Real Estate Bargains Office in Nuxoll Block, Cottonwood Let EUGENE MAUER —Do YOUR— TAILORING CoTTONWOOD JUOZAS Yo toga larg keys. ‘WOO ere. fe ‘wp? Bata ele i eee Why Tip Top is the Best JOHN REILAND claim to the land above, described, before HW-1 Why ia Tip Top and Idaho Gold P Contractor and Builder. Estimates nas seaitemeet Wet, Goodwin, SJernetta | four better? Because it is made of furnished on any Class of Work. ft awe, award Bao, SHES SY per ey wheat properly blended Repairing promptly attended to. 525 Henry Herrero, Register. |@nd milled under absolute cleanliness, Notice for Publication peo gi contain any injurious in- Stock For Sale. Department of the Interior, &, Land Office Work horses, Shorthorn bulls and “Notice in hereby i ven ‘hn Aepihacs Estrayed Steers big-type Poland Chin® hogs. of Roles: 1a hon ‘who, ‘in arch 1st, jou, a Two steers—one yearling, the past b3 J oseph Me. ‘Donald, Fenn, | BSS Nifaud Nwi Nish, See 29. Twp 308, R3| 27 T-Old; color of yearling, red with W, Boise Meridian, has filed notice of intention white face; the yr-old is red and We Pay More laud above described, before BL, W, Garets, U. ® white-spotted; branded with turkey- Commissioner, at Grangeville, Idaho, on the 27th | foot, on right hips; right ears cropped : ine ; i it Bring us your pailong wheat te nees “wi an ai, George trig with two sg They strayed away government regulations include all) iy cP Boles, Idaho. " ‘| from my ranch on Cottonwood Butte mills of more than 100 barrels daily Henny Hurrrep, Register.|Jast sammer. I will pay a reward of capacity and we can pay more for Notice for, Publication. $5 each for information leading to grain stored in our elevator than else-| ),. atment of the Interior, U. 8, Land office | their recovery. where. We need the grain, so why | at Lewiston, Idaho, January 2ist, 1918. Frank Hatke, Keuterville. pay handling charges to others.’ Keep Notice ie pete o GOODWIN, this money in your own pocket. Cot-| of Spring Camp, Idaho, who on January 23 and Cows for Sale tonwood Milling & Elevator Co. Sa eat awh See Dares T have seven fresh milch cows for Our Tip Top and Idaho Gold make} fish claim to the land above 4 ae BCI $100. Apply to Henry 7 W. Garets, U.S. Commissioner, at Grangeville, | tonwood, cones more loaves of better bread than other | M,f0"on ine 2nd day of March, 1918. Clatmant flours on the market, and do not need | names as witnesses: Hdward A. Knorr,’ Juozas pmo gietiee any phosphate or other chemicals for Wr Tener ry oe emmagagh ximerFow-| Montana Land for Sale whitening or raising the dough. js Hewny Herrero, Register, | 9400 acres of land in Montana 5 Notice for | Publication for saie, nearly all of it firstclass farm Fresh -Groceries Desaptenont of is Netieted © m Sued Quid |e Cement eames eee : A fall live always on hand, Bring | *A6ya'e", dehy death ng : Notice is hereby acre. Will sell any amount wauted, C I in your eggs, butter and lard. Wel of potes, rdano. nN sa June sth, 1914; made | Inquire at this office, pay the highest market prices. Homestead Entry, No. 05570, for $4 NEt, Nt SEi, J. V. Baker & Son, | SW2 SEL NEL SWE, Si Swi. Gec.3 Fw 22N:) Poultry, Hides, Pelts Wanted, intention to make three-year Proof, ag E Monday and Sai rove deo ver: on turday you TIP TOP FLOUR _ |stencst tee *temaste’, eens er | oo all your poultry, ides and pelle Idaho, on the 20th day of February, 1918. Claim- : 4 The flower of flours—the household | ant names as witnesses: William F. Harriman, | at the junk yard. COTTONWOOD F. E. & C. U. of A. Meets on Ist and 3d Saturday of each month at 1 p. m. RILEY RICE, Pres. A. JANSEN, Sec.-Treas. FELIX MARTZEN In Rear of the Postoffice Will carefully look after your needs} I will trade my Studebaker car for in real estate and insurance LET CRANKE DO IT. I conduct more sales than any| THE INLAND ABSTRACT “idecause 1|AND INVESTMENT CO., Ltd. . Cranke, auctioneer. Harry C. eas Nezperce, Idaho. Edward G. Wyatt, Henry J. Walz, Horris C. T. Clark. flour—the purefood flour. There is | Henderson, all of Joseph, Tato. pegister. | + reo none quite like it; pure and perfect; a!" Notice 4 pr ogee Debication Local Market ners highly nutritious flour. ight bread Desistumaieatha tattle ts ke tesa oiads and light work; makes one-fifth more | at Lewiston, Idaho, January 15th, 1918. Notice is hereby given that bread than other flour. Costs less JOHN C. HALLE! of Joseph, Idaho, who, on ou juve. ist, 1914, made than other flour sct half as good, | Homestead Entry 8, for SW NW3, NE Swi Bee 13 81 Nit NWA} Mah Ni SE}, Section Makes more and better bread; always | 14, Twp 28N, R2W, Boise Meridian, has iform and dependable. Is bought esi la he land abe descr i a vis 3 cond Receiver, U. 8. Land Office, at c 20th day of by good dealers and perfect bakers. é Kewinton, idaho, cathe ith day of February, Auto For Trade tama ee Ie Welly alot jonephn idabo, uto For lrade. jis HEITFRLD, Register. 05405-05489 HEEB Y BRIITELD, rtment of the Interior. U.8. Land Offceat Stockholders Meeting. vigion,, Laake, apne Syn The Cottonwood Light & Power Co. will hold its regular annual meet | made ing of the stockholders in the city council room on Monday, Feb. 11, at| fied 10 o'clock a.m. A full attendance BONDED ABSTRACTERS in desired Wm. Bchiller, Beoy. “You can save money, by patronizing Grangeville, # Idaho our advertisers. horses, cattle or other stock. What have you to trade? Fred Lange.