Alexander Wetmore - Arkansas and Texas, 1917-1918 : To investigate damage done by birds

About the Project

What can I do to protect these crops? In 1917, farmers in southern Texas had already been through two dry seasons, impacting their rice harvests. Species like the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) were making a further dent in the farmers' fields. They reached out to the United States Department of Agriculture and its Bureau of Biological Survey. Ornithologist Alexander Wetmore was sent to investigate and determine how the farmers might best address this threat in a environmentally-responsible way. Team up with other volunpeers to transcribe Wetmore's account of his investigations in Texas, and later Arkansas. Discover the scope of the problem and what were considered to be acceptable solutions at the beginning of the 20th century.

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Completed!

Project Progress (details)
117 pages completed

31

Contributing
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117

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pages