POISONING AND TRAPPING 301 



grain. This preparation may be used immedi- 

 ately. Another way is to add more water and 

 leave the wheat over night to absorb the strych- 

 nine. 



Green alfalfa or alfalfa hay for poisoning 

 prairie-dogs should be chopped into short 

 lengths and sprinkled with strychnine water or 

 sirup until thoroughly wet. A large metal 

 washtub should be used as a mixing vessel. 

 An ounce of strychnia sulphate dissolved in a 

 half gallon of water will prepare 30 pounds of 

 green alfalfa; or the same quantity of strych- 

 nine dissolved in 3 or 4 gallons of water will 

 prepare 20 pounds of alfalfa hay. 



For the smaller ground-squirrels, use 



1 ounce strychnia sulphate, 

 35 pounds clean wheat, 



2 gallons water. 



Dissolve the strychnine in the water in a large mix- 

 ing vessel. Then pour in the wheat and allow all to 

 simmer for an hour, the vessel being covered. Stir 

 occasionally. The water will probably be entirely ab- 

 sorbed by the grain, but if not, a little corn-meal will 

 take up the extra moisture. If preferred, the strych- 

 nine may first be dissolved in a pint of boiling water, 

 the ingredients then mixed in a large vessel, and all 



