ISO THE SQUIRREL 



frightens the squirrels attempting to cross it, and if smeared with 

 gas-tar, their distaste is complete ; but the tar must be kept off the 

 stems. A piece of tin or zinc (Fig. 97 V i) placed round the stems 

 of trees, projecting 12 in. all round, slightly inclining down- 

 wards and toothed at the edge baffles squirrels, also mice and rats. 

 In many cases trapping or shooting is the only remedy for squir- 

 rel depredations. Trapping is not an easy matter, though a few 

 traps set at the foot of a tree the animals frequent are usually sue- 



FIG. 97. TREE GUARDS FOR SQUIRRELS. 



U, paper guard on stem of standard cob-nut tree : e, stem ; /, base of head ; g, paper guard. V, 

 zinc guard affixed to stem of large standard frvit or other tree : h, stem ; i, guard ; /, joint, the 

 collar being made in two pieces so as to be readily placed ; k, turn over rim ; /, wire for securing 



cessful. If the places be noted where the squirrels lay up stores 

 of sweet chestnuts, acorns, etc., in the ground, and a trap set there, 

 particularly on the clearing away of snow by a thaw after it has 

 laid some time on the ground, a capture is almost sure to be effected. 

 Another good plan is to cut the size for setting a trap in the soil, 

 fill it with fine soil and place where it is proposed to have the table 



