342 The Ruffed Grouse 



to add caustic soda (lye) to the solution in the ratio of one pound 

 to each four pounds of the poison. The solution may be kept in a 

 corked container until used up. Full respect should be paid to its 

 properties as a poison to animals as well as plants. 



The poison solution is applied to cuts made around the base of 

 the tree at six-inch intervals. The cut should go well into the sap- 

 wood, and about a thimbleful or teaspoonful of poison solution 

 applied in each. The best season for this work is late summer. 



An ordinary ax and oil can may be used for applying the poison 

 solution, but special tools are available for those who plan to do 

 very much of it. The "Cornell tree killing tool" is made by the Ire- 

 land Machine & Foundry Co., Norwich, N. Y. This instrument makes 

 the cut and applies the poison in one motion. However, it operates 

 with a valve that must be kept clean and pliable. The Council Tool 

 Co., Wananish, N. C, makes a special ax for tree poisoning which is 

 used in conjunction with an oil can applicator. 



It is recommended that the poisoned trees not be removed until 

 completely dead. And again it should be warned that containers of 

 this poison should not be accessible to animals or left where children 

 might find them. 



SHRUBS ALONG THE WOODS ROAD 



The association of shrubs in the woodland interior that is analo- 

 gous to the shrub border is found only in openings of one sort or 

 another. The simplest way to develop a well-distributed brushy 

 cover is in connection with the woodland road system (see Plate 

 43B ) , ( page 335 ) . Every woodland needs roads to facilitate the har- 

 vest. By keeping them well brushed out, a narrow crown opening is 

 maintained through the woods. If more effort can be afforded here 

 for the improvement of game cover, these road openings may be 

 widened to thirty feet or even more. This is the easiest way of mak- 

 ing a little work go a long way in creating openings in the woods. 

 Experience indicates that an open lane, thirty feet wide, makes a 

 good set of edges and admits plenty of light for the development 

 of shrub cover. It is desirable to keep the road in the center of the 

 lane, or on the shady side. 



Small openings in the woods may be made in connection with 

 various types of wood product cuttings. Improvement cuttings made 



