THE COTTONTAIL 139 



along paths and runways. With this method there is little danger 

 of poisoning other animals than rabbits and field mice. Whenever 

 poisoned baits of any kind are used, great precautions should be 

 taken that human beings and farm animals are not accidentally 

 poisoned. In addition, the carcasses of poisoned rabbits should be 

 buried whenever found. 



If rabbits are abundant and the area to be protected is not great, 

 such as a small block of nursery trees or a garden, a woven wire 

 fence from 30 to 36 inches in height and of sufficiently fine mesh 

 to keep out the animals may be employed. Sometimes the lower 

 edge is turned outward and covered with soil, or a barbed wire is 

 stretched along the ground beneath it to prevent the rabbits Crom 

 digging under it. This method of protection is practiced in Iowa 

 and is effective unless the snow drifts badly thereby allowing the 

 animals to walk over the fences. 



Many devices and washes have been used and recommended for 

 the protection of trees. One of the most effective and one which 

 is applicable to both rabbits and field mice may be mentioned here. 

 The formula for this wash, in the same proportions as given by 

 Lantz (1. c. 340), is as follows: 



Unslaked lime 4 pounds 



Flowers of sulphur 3 pounds 



Water to make 9 to 10 gallons 



Mr. Lantz says of this wash: "A little salt may be added to in- 

 crease the adhesive property of the mixture. The lime, sulphur 

 and about a third of the water are boiled together for at least 



one hour and the full quantity of water is then added For 



protection from mice and rabbits the trunks only require treat- 

 ment and the wash may be applied with a brush. One application 

 in November should last the entire winter." 



Various- mechanical means for protecting young fruit trees have 

 been tried out, of which three or four of the most dependable will 

 be mentioned. If protection from rabbits only is required, a 

 woven wire netting, twenty-four to thirty inches wide and with 

 a one-inch mesh, is recommended. Cut the wire into one-foot 

 lengths and roll each section about the trunk of a free, fastening 

 the ends by bending the wires together; the wire should not be 

 in contact with the trunk. This makes a permanent and effective 

 protection. If the trees are to be protected from field mice also 

 a netting of closer mesh must be used, wire window screen netting 

 being excellent for this purpose. 



