34 Entomology and Zoology Department. [Bull. 168 



grain. To treat the seed with any of these substances in such 

 small quantity or dilute form as not to injure the germ is a 

 waste of time, for the slight taste or odor imparted is soon 

 dissipated by contact with the soil. Corn soaked in kerosene 

 an oft recommended treatment for as short a time as five 

 minutes, seriously impaired its germinating qualities. 



SUBSTANCES NOT INJURIOUS TO THE SEED, BUT OF NO VALUE 

 OR NOT AVAILABLE. Mixing pulverized gum camphor with the 

 dry grain and storing in a closed vessel for some days has been 

 recommended as an efficient treatment. The results were en- 

 tirely negative. Little or no odor was imparted to the grain, 

 and when the latter was placed in mole runways it was readily 

 taken. Coating the corn with a thin paste of red lead and 

 water has been recommended for protecting it against crows. 

 When seed thus treated was placed in the spermophile cage, 

 along with six other trays of corn that had been coated with 

 deterrents, that subjected to the red lead treatment was the 

 first to be eaten. Pine tar was used in some of the experi- 

 ments. It has a strong odor but leaves the grain too. sticky to 

 work in a planter. 



SUBSTANCES WHICH MAY BE USED WITH SOME DEGREE OF 

 SUCCESS. Coal tar makes an ideal coating of a rich brown color 

 and a persistent gassy smell. It dries nicely, is not in the 

 least sticky when dried, and will therefore work well in a 

 planter. Wet the grain with a little warm water before stir- 

 ring in the tar. A tablespoonful of the latter will be sufficient 

 for a peck of corn. The mass must be thoroughly mixed and 

 then dried before attempting to plant. Mice show some aver- 

 sion to corn thus treated, but ground squirrels do not seem to 

 object to the coating. This deterrent is generally regarded as 

 effective against crows, particularly by Eastern farmers. The 

 Station has had no opportunity to test the matter. Soaking 

 corn in strong tobacco decoction for twenty-four to forty-eight 

 hours gives good results in some cases. Of course the grain 

 must afterwards be thoroughly dried if it is to be planted by 

 machine. It will still have a strong odor and will not be 

 sticky. The decoction was prepared by steeping a pound of 

 ordinary smoking tobacco in eight quarts of water. This will 

 serve for soaking a peck of corn. 



