PESTS ON THE FARM AND THEIR CONTROL 491 



the grain to facilitate thorough mixing, it will be well to use a 

 thin starch paste (as described below, but without strychnine) 

 before applying the poison. The starch soon hardens, and fer- 

 mentation is not likely to follow. 



Wet-grain formula. — Dissolve one ounce of strychnine (sul- 

 phate) in two quarts of boiling water. Dissolve two tablespoon- 

 fuls of laundry starch in one-half pint of cold water. Add the 

 starch to the strychnine solution and boil for a few minutes 

 until the starch is clear. Pour the hot starch over one bushel of 



Fig. 229. — Field mouse caught in unbaited guillotine trap. — U. 8. Dept. of 

 Agriculture. 



oats in a metal tub and stir thoroughly. Let the grain stand 

 over night to absorb the poison. 



Alfalfa forynuJa. — One ounce of strychnine (sulphate) dis- 

 solved in two gallons of hot water was found sufficient to poison 

 thirty pounds of chopped alfalfa previously moistened with 

 water. 



Oatmeal formula. — Dissolve one-sixteenth ounce of strych- 

 nine in one pint of boiling water and pour it over as much oat- 

 meal (about two pounds) as it will wet. Mix until all the grain 

 is moistened. Put it out, a teaspoonful at a place, under shelter 

 of weed and brush piles or wide boards. 



Especially recommended in destroying pine mice. 



Potato formula. — Cut SAveet potatoes into pieces about the 

 size of grapes. Place three quarts of these cut baits in a pan or 

 bucket, and from a tin pepperbox slowly sift over them one- 

 eighth ounce of powdered strychnine mixed ^x\\\\ an equal quan- 

 tity of baking soda, stirring constantly so that the poison is 



