PROTECTION OF FRUIT TREES FROM RODENTS. 



(By F. H. Ballon, Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station. Reprinted from Bulletin No. 208) 



PREFACE. 



According to the official report of the Ohio Department of Agri- 

 culture for 1907. there are, in the state, 266,34:0 acres of tree fruits, 

 including all classes. Of those classes more subject to tree injuiy by 

 rodents, viz., apple, pear and plum, there are 247,700 acres. Of apples 

 alone there are 243,716 acres. This great acreage includes not only the 

 extensive commercial plantations, but the thousands of small, home or- 

 chards, scattered in every part of the state. 



There are no data available which would render possible anywhere 

 near a correct estimate of the loss of and injury to trees, young and old. 

 through the work of rodents (mice, rabbits and woodchucks) in Ohio. 

 "While the loss is confined principally to newly set orchards, replants in 

 older orchards and the younger plantations generally, this loss, in the 

 aggregate, is considerable. It certainly would not be far beyond the 

 boimds of conservatism to figure the loss and injury at one dollar per 

 acre per year, including all ages and conditions of the apple, pear and 

 plum orchards of the state. The rate of loss would be less than this in 

 the larger commercial plantations, even where the grass-mulch method 

 of culture is practiced ; for the commercial planter generally takes into 

 consideration the various sources of danger and makes provision to meet 

 these with effective means of protection. With the average home or- 

 chard the danger is greater than in the large plantation, and the possible 

 means of protection more generally disregarded or overlooked. 



Thus do we find, by a very simple caluculation, that there is proba- 

 bly incurred, annually, the astounding loss of over $200,000 in Ohio, 

 from the work of the sharp teeth of bark-eating rodents, and those of 

 mischievous and destructive habits. 



Much complaint has been received by the Horticultural Department 

 of the Experiment Station, of the injury and loss wrought by rodents, 

 and repeated requests for suggestions as to effective means of protec- 

 tion of young and newly set orchards have been received. In many cases 

 bearing trees are reported killed by mice. 



In order to fully meet the demands of the planting public, this 

 illustrated pamphlet has been prepared, Avhich is the first of a series 



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