240 PESTS AND NUISANCES 



A concoction of tallow and tobacco smeared on to the trees acts as a 

 repellent. However, where there are a great many trees, and especially 

 small trees, such as honey locust, elm, and others, used as windbreaks, 

 it is out of the question to treat each individual tree by hand. In this 

 case, a spray applied by a hand pump will be found effective. The 

 common lime and sulfur spray used to destroy the San Jose scale has 

 been recommended, and can be applied with an ordinary spray pump. 

 Mix together dry, fresh hydrated or ground lime, 4 pounds ; powdered 

 sulfur, 3 pounds. Add water to form a thin paste, and boil from one-half 

 to one hour, or until the mixture becomes a reddish amber color. Dilute 

 to 10 gallons, spray on to the trees while the liquid is still warm. This 

 spray is excellent for the trees as well, but must not be applied to the 

 trees while they are in leaf. 



Commercial aloes at the rate of one pound to four gallons of water 

 sprayed on to the trees gives the bark and leaves a bitter taste which 

 repels rabbits. 



A spray made of buttermilk and common stove soot has proven 

 quite satisfactory here. Buttermilk, 1 gallon; common stove soot, 

 pound. Boil for twenty minutes. Keep well stirred to prevent 

 clogging the pump. 



4. Poisoning. Much may be done in eradicating this pest with 

 poison. The " Wellhouse " poison is made as follows : Sulfate of 

 strychnine, 1 part ; borax, part ; white syrup, 1 part ; water, 

 10 parts. Put the mixture into a jug or large bottle, and shake well. 

 Cut fresh twigs apple water sprouts are best and with a small 

 brush paint them, especially over the terminal bud, with the above 

 preparation. Scatter the twigs in the runways and about the trees 

 where the rabbits feed. Stock or fowls will not molest this poison, and 

 it is said that dogs may eat the dead rabbits and suffer no ill effects. 



The Western Australia Department of Agriculture recommends a 

 similar poison. Dissolve ll ounces strychnine in 1 quart of vinegar; 

 dilute with 5 gallons of water ; add 2 pounds of flour and 1 pound of 

 sugar ; stir well and apply to twigs as recommended above. 



A jam made of fruit and sugar is readily eaten by the rabbits. Chop 

 apples or melons into small cubes. Add sugar equal to one-half the 

 weight of the fruit. Boil until the mass forms a thick jam. Add 

 strychnine, either powdered or dissolved, at the rate of 1 ounce to 

 25 pounds of the jam, and mix thoroughly. 



