Archives and Rats... You never know what you will find in the records of the National Archives! Try RG 33, Records of the Extension Service. Nestled among the 1928 annual reports are documents detailing a rat infestation several Arkansas counties had suffered. The infestation resulted in heavy losses for area farmers and businesses. The rodents caused great damage to buildings storing grain and ruined entire fields of crops such as corn. In the Extension Service’s report for Mississippi County, it was reported that the United States Bureau of Biological Survey calculated the cost of destruction per rat at $1.87 per year. The rising costs urged the County Extension Services to work with local organizations, school boards and individuals to initiate rat killing campaigns. The most successful rat killing campaigns were those that enlisted the help of school children. In Miller County, the campaign was launched through the schools and encouraged participation at an individual and school level. The Chamber of Commerce backed the campaign by providing prizes for participants. The first place prizes in each category included: $50.00 in books for the schools, a Winchester Repeatin’ Rifle worth $22.50 for the boys, and a $25.00 wrist watch for the girls. There were three prizes in the school category and four prizes for the individual boy and girl categories. The Extension Agent reported that the campaign was a success with an astounding 95,849 rats killed! For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:31:42 +0000
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