398 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



County alone, amounted to one dollar per acre ; one farmer 

 estimating his share at over $1000. In addition to the injury 

 to the grain itself, the thinning-out of the grass by the de- 

 struction of the seeds is also an important element in the 

 case. The method usually adopted for keeping the squirrels 

 in subjection is the application of poison of some kind ; sev- 

 eral gentlemen present at the conference stating that phos- 

 phorus was the best for the purpose. It was thought that 

 if a concerted action were entered upon the evil could be 

 greatly reduced, if not entirely removed, in the course of a 

 i'ew years. The best time for such action was thought to be 

 October, after the rains, when the animals were hungry, and 

 readily devoured any bait put in their way. 



The applicability of the "Vermin Asphyxiator," an article 

 recently patented in Great Britain, and already introduced 

 into this country, may here be suggested. This consists, es- 

 sentially, in burning sulphur and other noxious substances in 

 an air-tight box, and passing the fumes, by means of a fan, 

 through a tube into the abodes of the vermin. It is stated 

 that nothing has proved so satisfactory for the destruction 

 of rats in buildings and outhouses, especially as the sulphur- 

 ous-acid gas generally used has an important function as a 

 disinfectant and deodorizer, and tends to prevent the annoy- 

 ance caused by the decay of the animal. In the case of ground- 

 squirrels and gophers, it would seem only necessary to stop 

 up a certain number of holes, so as to retain the gas in the 

 burrows anions; the animals for a sufficient length of time to 

 cause death, asphyxia occurring in a very short time. The 

 same method is also much used at present as a disinfectant 

 for vessels, rooms, and buildings, and performs its work most 

 efficiently and satisfactorily. 



EAT POISON. 



The following method of preparing poison for rats is said 

 to be more effectual than moistening grain with a solution 

 of strychnine : Make a clear solution of arsenite of potash, by 

 boiling in a large iron kettle one part of white arsenic, one 

 of carbonate of potash, and 25 of water, stirring the whole 

 well together; add 25 parts of water, and introduce, while 

 warm, 50 parts of barley, wheat, or oats, stirring frequently 

 during 24 to 36 hours ; then heat the grain and stir it with 



