102 ENEMIES OF THE ORCHARD 



squirrel to run out of the holes before the gas; 

 when it meets it face to face in a run, death seems 

 to be almost instantaneous. But in most cases the 

 animals seem to retire to their nests to die there in 

 a stupor. The mode of proceeding is simply this: 

 Select one or two of the freshest holes in a burrow, 

 introduce into it, as deep down as you can reach, a 

 wide-mouthed ounce vial full of the liquid, upset 

 the vial, and withdraw it. The holes may all be 

 closed at once, with earth, which need not be 

 rammed; the only object being to keep the gas in, 

 and to see if any of the inmates dig out afterwards. 

 The dead animal is thus buried and out of sight in 

 his own burrow, creates no stench and poisons 

 nothing; its flesh would not be injurious even if 

 dug up. No other wild or domestic animal runs 

 any risk, unless it be the gopher. The holes retain 

 an offensive odor for some time, and remain closed 

 and untenanted. As for the expense of this 

 method, I have freed the most thickly-peopled 

 portions of the University campus (level ground) 

 from every vestige of squirrels with about a pound 

 of the liquid per acre; about half an hour being 

 spent by two men in closing the holes with 

 shovels." 



The same will kill wolves with equal certainty 

 only using a little more than double the quantity 

 used for gophers. 



Sun Scald. This is an injury to the bark on the 

 south or south west side of the trunk of trees which 

 causes it to peel off, leaving the wood exposed. 



