Injuries from Mice^ Rabbits, Etc. 63 



California rabbit-wash.— Commercial aloes, 1 pound to 4 gallons 

 of water, both sprinkled on leaves and painted on the bark, 

 gives a bitter taste, which repels rabits. 



California rabbit-poisons. — 



1. Pieces of watermelon, canteloupe, or other vegetables 

 of which they are fond, may be poisoned with strychnine and 

 then scattered around the orchard. 



2. To 100 pounds of wheat take 9 gallons of water and 1 

 pound of phosphorus, 1 pound of sugar, and 1 ounce 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. Scatter it about the place. 



3. Another preparation is )^ teaspoonful of powdered 

 strychnine, 2 teaspoonfuls of fine salt, and 4 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. Rabbits 

 lick it for the salt, and the sugar disguises the poison. 



Sulphur for rabbits.— Equal proportions of sulphur, soot and 

 lime, made into a thick paint with cow manure. Smear 

 upon the trees. 



Cow-mannre for rabbits. — A mixture of lime, water and cow- 

 manure, made strong, forms an excellent anti-rabbit com- 

 position. 



Asafoetida for rabbits. — A teaspoonful of tincture ©f asafoetida 

 in )4. pailful of liquid clay, mud, or muck of any kind. 

 Apply with a brush to the stem and branches of young trees. 

 Two or three applications during winter. 



California ground-squirrel remedies. — Take 5 quarts of clean 

 wheat ; scald with water ; drain. Take % cup of white sugar, 

 dissolve with sufficient water to make a syrup ; add 1 ounce 

 powdered strychnine, stir thoroughly until a thin paste is 

 formed. Pour this on the damp wheat. Stir thoroughly for 

 at least 15 minutes. Add 1 pint powdered sugar, stir; add 

 5 to 10 drops of rhodium and 5 to 10 drops of oil of aflise-seed. 

 Place a few grains in each squirrel-hole, putting it as far in 

 as possible. 



Bisulphide of carbon is also largely used. A small quan- 

 tity is poured into the burrow, and the hole is immediately 

 closed securely with dirt. 



