494 CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



The tall posts are regular split redwood posts. The intermediate small ones 

 are made by sawing in two the regular posts and splitting them into eight small 

 posts, or rather, large stakes. The netting is of galvanized wire, No. 19 gauge, 

 and one and one-half inch mesh. This netting is stapled to the posts and stakes 

 on the inside, or toward the field. This is of prime importance, as it will not 

 serve the purpose if it is placed on the outside. The bottom of the netting is to 

 come down to the ground, and the ground must be left hard, and not plowed to 

 prevent burrowing, or scratching the dirt from underneath, which can be easily 

 done if the dirt is softened up. It is not at all necessary to set the netting 

 below the ground. In the sketch are shown three barbed wires, with barbs two 

 and a half inches apart. These wires must be placed on the outside of the 

 posts. This position is also a prime necessity. The lower wire is stretched 

 just clear of the surface of the ground. The middle wire is one inch higher 

 than the top of the netting, and the top wire, which is intended only as against 

 cattle, is at a height suitable for the purpose. The rabbit-proof portion is 

 comprised in the netting and the two lower wires. Hence, if cattle are not 

 feared, and rabbits are the only foe, the top wire can be dispensed with, and the 

 posts can be all short with a greater proportion of stakes, having only enough 

 stout posts to stand the strain of the wires. The theory of this construction is 

 that a rabbit can only pass the fence over the top or under the bottom of the 

 netting, and this is effectually prevented by the barbed wires, which tear the 

 animal if it attempts either to leap or climb over or to scratch under. 



Smears Distasteful to Rabbits. Where the expense of a fence 

 can not be assumed, measurable protection can be had by sprinkling 

 the leaves or smearing the stems of plants with substances distasteful 

 to the animals, which are quite dainty in this respect. Commercial 

 aloes, one pound to four gallons of water, both sprinkled on leaves and 

 painted on the bark, gives a bitter taste, which repels rabbits. A tea 

 made of steeping quassia chips is said to produce the same effect. 

 Rancid grease, liquid manure, putrescent flesh or blood, have been 

 approved as a daub for tree trunks, but the efficacy is only of limited 

 duration. 



Rabbit Poison. Pieces of watermelon rind, cantaloupe, or other 

 vegetable of which they are very fond, may be poisoned with strych- 

 nine and then scattered around the orchard. Rabbits will not touch 

 the bark as long as they can find this bait, and one meal is effective, 

 for the rabbit never gets far away from it. The same results can be 

 obtained by the following mixture : To one hundred pounds of wheat 

 take nine gallons of water and one pound of phosphorus, one pound 

 of sugar, and one ounce of oil of rhodium. Heat the water to boiling 

 point and let it stand all night. Next morning stir in flour sufficient to 

 make a sort of paste. The rabbits eat it with avidity if scattered about. 



Another preparation is half a teaspoonful of powdered strychnine, 

 two teaspoonfuls of fine salt, and four of granulated sugar. Put all in 

 a tin box and shake well. Pour in small heaps on a board. It hardens 

 into a solid mass. They lick it for the salt, and the sugar disguises the 

 poison, which kills great numbers. 



GROUND-SQUIRRELS 



Ground-squirrels are poisoned by the use of the poisoned wheats 

 which are sold in the markets, or by use of bisulphide of carbon, or 

 "smokers," which are arranged to force smoke or poisonous vapors 



