Viewing page 23 of 83

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[blank page]]
[[end page]]
[[start page]]

In afternoon drove out to the Reservation, as it is called - Rogers Ranch, and found Mr. George S. Webb, the manager. Together we went out over fields that had been alfalfa but are now a porous mass of Microtus burrows and mounds, so close together that one mound is entered by 2 or 3 burrows and the earth from one burrow fills two or three other, or would if not thrown back. Ones feet cave into the honeycomb and almost every bunch of alfalfa remaining has a burrow or two against its roots and is being rapidly consumed for food. Large fields have been almost denuded of alfalfa and many are being plowed up. Mr. Webb says the crop on the Roger Ranch is 1500 tons short on account of the mice this year but the after effect will be more serious next year.

Alfalfa is now worth 12 & 13 dollars a ton at Lovelock. Last year the crop on the Roger Ranch was about 10000 tons. This is all fed to stock