or
128 tons, of edible forage are rendered unavailable to stock. In dry
years it is probable that this amount of forage would be of critical
importance. Allowing 50 pounds of food a day for each steer, the forage
destroyed would be sufficient to provide for the needs of one steer for
5,120 days, or for the needs of 14 steers for one year. On a stock ranch
the size of the Range Reserve this might mean the difference between
success and failure.

It seems not unlikely, therefore, that during seasons of drought the
banner-tailed kangaroo rat, where it is abundant on the grazing ranges
of the Southwest, may be a factor of critical importance in relation to
forage production and carrying capacity. It must be remembered,
moreover, that the stored material consists largely of seeds, so that
this loss is of greater importance than would be the case were it
ordinary forage. Some of the range grasses of this region found in
greatest quantity in the stored material depend in large part, under
certain conditions, upon seed reproduction. Rehabilitation of a depleted
range after severe drought and consequent close grazing and trampling is
retarded by the heavy toll of seed taken by the kangaroo rats.

CONTROL.

Kangaroo rats may be easily eradicated by the use of the poisoned grain
used for prairie-dog control by the Biological Survey and the University
of Arizona Extension Service. This can be obtained by application to the
State representative of the Biological Survey or to the local county
agricultural agent, or may be mixed as follows:

_Formula for poisoned bait._--Dissolve 1 ounce of strychnine
sulphate in 1-1/2 pints of boiling water. Add 1 heaping
tablespoonful of gloss starch, previously mixed with a little cold
water, and boil until a clear paste is formed. Add 1 ounce of
baking soda and stir to a creamy mass. Add 1/2 ounce of glycerine
and 1/4 pint of corn sirup and stir thoroughly. Pour over 16 quarts
of rolled barley and mix well until every grain is evenly coated.
Allow to dry before using.

In bushel quantities use as above directed, 2 ounces of strychnine,
2 ounces of soda, 1 ounce of glycerin, 1-1/4 ounces of starch,
1-1/2 quarts of boiling water, and 5/8 pint of corn sirup.

Scatter poison, when the natural food of the kangaroo rat is
scarce, on clean hard places near the holes, 1 quart to 50 holes.

If powdered strychnine alkaloid is u