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Western United States, 1918 : correspondence, field reports, and reference materials (2 of 2)

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Catalog Data

Alternate Title:
Western United States, 1918 : Correspondence, field reports, and reference materials  Search this
Collection name:
Alexander Wetmore Papers, circa 1848-1979 and undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Physical Location:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Sublocation:
Box 139 Folder 3
Record type:
Fieldbook record
Object Type:
Field notes
Correspondence
Reports
clippings (information artifacts)
Place:
Arkansas
California
Washington
De Witt
Kansas
United States
Date Range:
1918-1919
Start Date:
1918
End Date:
19181130
Abstract:
This is the second of two folders that document Alexander Wetmore's work in the western United States investigating crop damage from ducks and blackbirds in 1918 - 1919, while working for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Bureau of Biological Survey. Investigations took place in Arkansas, Washington, California, and Kansas. Materials discuss issues surrounding the options for preventing further crop damage. Allowing duck shooting by farmers and duck bombs the most commonly mentioned solutions. Wetmore visits effected sites, reports to conditions and possible solutions to USDA, and works with California Fish and Gaming Department on implementing decisions. |Letters discuss concerns about indescriminate issuance of duck hunting permits; possible solutions offered by concerned citizens (coal oil and tar on a rice field); some concern among the public about treatment of ducks. Articles discuss the situation in general, official order from the Secretary of Agriculture giving farmers permission to shoot ducks on their farms (copy of order for California is in the folder); appeals to the Federal Food Administration to allow shot ducks to be used as food (according to the article this would be a violation of the Federal game agreement with Canada at the time); and expense and use of duck bombs. Materials include correspondence, field reports, reference materials, articles, telegrams, business cards, news clippings, permits|Reports include Wild Ducks and other Birds in Relation to the Rice Crop in Arkansas in 1918 and Wild Ducks in Relation to Rice Culture in California (includes itinerary).
Topic:
Ornithology  Search this
Ducks  Search this
Rice  Search this
Blackbirds  Search this
Crop losses  Search this
Accession #:
SIA RU007006
Access Information:
Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.
See more records from this collection:
Alexander Wetmore Papers, circa 1848-1979 and undated
See more records associated with this person:
Wetmore, Alexander, 1886-1978
Data Source:
Smithsonian Field Book Project
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:fbr_item_MODSI304