Plants as Affected by Animal Parasites. 161 



Stored seeds of almost all kinds must be carefully 

 guarded against mice. 



272. Gophers are often troublesome by eating 

 planted seeds and by burrowing about the roots of 

 ycung orchard trees. .They may be poisoned by plac- 

 ing corn, soaked in a weak solution of strychnine in 

 water, about their holes. 



273. Rabbits are especially troublesome to nursery 

 trees, when the ground is covered with snow. The 

 most satisfactory protection is to inclose the nursery 

 with a fence of poultry netting, which should be banked 

 up a little at the bottom to prevent the rabbits from 

 passing under. It should be high enough to reach above 

 the surface of the deepest snow. 



Orchard trees may be protected against rabbits by 

 inclosing the trunks with the devices mentioned under 

 sun-scald (185.) . Smearing the stems with blood has 

 also been recommended. 



274. Woodchucks are often troublesome to growing 

 crops, but as they are seldom numerous, shooting or 

 trapping generally suffices to prevent serious damage. 

 Moles are very troublesome in some localities by eating 

 the roots of plants. They may be largely controlled by 

 the use of mole-traps. Pouring a little carbon bisulfid 

 into their holes is also generally effectual. 



275. Birds are often troublesome by eating unhar- 

 vested fruits and seeds. Inclosing the trees or plants 

 with fish netting, when this is practicable, is perhaps 

 the most satisfactory preventive. The netting is not 

 expensive, and the same piece may be used several 

 seasons. 



