32 Entomology and Zoology Department. [Bull. 168 



As will be seen by reference to the table on page 35, both 

 arsenic and corrosive sublimate seriously affect the viability of 

 the seed. If the corn can be planted by hand it may be treated 

 with either of the poisoned syrups referred to above. In gar- 

 den plantings or along creek bends where the mole-mice pest 

 is the most serious this method of planting can be followed to 

 advantage. The seed corn may be allowed to dry after treat- 

 ing with the syrup, but if planted at once it should be handled 

 with a spoon. 



To poison seed corn so that it will still work in a planter, 

 dissolve one ounce of strychnia sulphate in eight quarts of 

 hot water, preferably rain water. In this solution, after cool- 

 ing, soak one peck of seed for forty-eight hours, using as a 

 container a vessel that will close tightly enough to prevent 

 evaporation. When draining the corn at the end of the period 

 of soaking save the poisoned water, as there will ordinarily be 

 enough to soak a half peck more of seed. When corn so 

 treated is thoroughly dried it will return to its former bulk, 

 will have its germinating qualities unimpaired, and will work 

 in a planter as well as untreated seed. Field experiments 

 seem to indicate, however, that if heavy rains follow shortly 

 after planting the poison tends to leach out of the grain. Un- 

 der similar conditions the surface coating given by the poi- 

 soned syrup will also be partially washed off. 



COATING SEED WITH OFFENSIVE SUBSTANCES. During the 

 past two seasons an extensive series of tests has been made in 

 treating seed corn with various ill-tasting substances calculated 

 to deter burrowing animals from taking it. The results in 

 most cases have been negative; that is, the seed was usually 

 taken about as readily as though it had not been treated at all. 

 In every case a counted number of kernels of treated corn 

 were put out in not less than twenty different locations and the 

 trial repeated at different seasons. All locations were accu- 

 rately marked and carefully examined at regular intervals. 

 The notes show that none of the substances used prevented the 

 kernels of corn, or a portion of them, from being eaten or car- 

 ried off. In most cases the corn was introduced directly into 

 surface runways through an opening made by a lead pencil or 

 small stick. Field plantings of treated corn were also made for 

 two seasons on lands adjacent to small creeks. One of these 

 plantings was entirely taken by fox squirrels as soon as the 



