Viewing page 28 of 151

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Rice Growers office in DeWitt that two-thirds of the crop was still in the field, a part of it in the shock and a part still uncut. (For general conditions regarding the growing of rice in Arkansas see report by Wetmore on damage to Rice in Arkansas in 1917). Although much of this grain was lost still there was hope of saving part of it with a change to more favorable weather.

Threshing was going on but bad roads made moving the threshing outfits a work of great difficulty.

Work of Wild Ducks.

At the time of this investigation the northern flight of ducks was arriving and, as in 1917, the bulk of the birds were Mallards.  In travelling through the country I saw occasional pintails and greenwinged Teal but these were few in number.  The ducks began to work in the rice about November 22.

A. D. Murrell, 5 miles southeast of DeWitt had 315 acres in rice most of which was still in the fi^[[e]]ld.  Ducks began to work here about November 23.  On examining this tract I found that the birds had been feeding over about twenty acres but as yet had done no serious damage as they had confined themselves to the bases of the shocks, taking fallen grain and stripping heads that hung down from the sheaves.  I estimated the damage on 20 acres at about $5 per acre.  Ducks were still present here and between 2500 and 3000 were feeding in these fields at dusk ^[[on Nov. 26]].

Ducks were working fields belonging to B. ^[[E]][[strikethrough]] C [/strikethrough]]. Chaney and M. E. Salters also.  The Mallards were using the Bayous and swamps near the

Transcription Notes:
Reviewed