PROTECTION AGAINST MICE. 123 



The Prairie Farmer gives A. R. Whitney's remedy for mice, 

 moles and rabbits, consisting of lime, copperas and glue. Fresh 

 lime is slacked, and enough water is added to make it into 

 moderately thick whitewash. Dissolve two pounds of glue in 

 water and add a dissolved pound of copperas, and stir the whole 

 together. This mixture is applied with a whitewash brush to the 

 trunks of the trees late in autumn. This is similar to Prof May- 

 nard's remedy as above, but he uses half a pound of paris green 

 to 8 qts of water; carbolic acid is used if danger of poisoning 

 animals is feared. 



To overcome these greatest of pests I propose the following, 

 which I am confident will work satisfactorily and be compara- 

 tively safe : In October or November, paint the trunks up to (if 

 necessary among) the main branches with limewash and glue, in 

 which is mixed half a pound of paris green to each pailful 

 of eight quarts. To prepare this paint, slake the lime, using 

 only water enough to make a thick paste; then when ready to 

 apply, thin with a solution of common glue to the proper thick- 

 ness to apply readily with a common paint brush. If there 

 should be any danger from domestic animals getting at the paint, 

 the paris green might be replaced by carbolic acid. Perhaps the 

 use of tar- water for slaking the lime would give the paint such 

 an offensive taste and odor as to prevent the trees being attacked. 

 Ordinary limewash would not adhere to the bark long enough, 

 but the use of a little glue would certainly cause it to adhere 

 until spring. [Prof S. T. Maynard, Massachusetts Agricultural 

 College. 



