78 HORTICULTURIST'S RULE-BOOK. 



tree. Common window-screen placed about the tree is 

 effective and safe. Tarred paper is sometimes advised to 

 keep away mice and borers, but it is very apt to kill the 

 bark, especially on young trees, if tied on, or if left on in 

 warm weather. 



Washes to protect trees from mice. Wash the trees with 

 some persistent substance in which is placed Paris green. 

 Maynard finds the following substances useful for holding 

 the poison : Portland cement of the consistency of common 

 paint ; Portland cement 10 parts and gas-tar 1 part ; Port- 

 land cement 10 parts and asphaltum 1 part ; Portland 

 cement 10 parts and Merrill's tree-ink 1 part. 



Lime-wash, to which is added a little sulphur, tobacco- 

 decoction, and soapsuds. 



Carbonate of baryta for rats and mice. Sugar and oat- 

 meal or wheat flour, of each 6 ounces ; carbonate of baryta, 

 \ pound ; oil of anise-seed, enough to give the mixture a 

 pretty strong odor. 



Tartar emetic for rats and mice. Tartar emetic, 1 part ; 

 oatmeal or flour, 4 parts ; beef or mutton suet enough to 

 make all into a paste. 



Camphor for rats and mice. Mix a few pieces of camphor 

 with vegetable seeds, to repel vermin. 



French paste for rats and mice. Oatmeal or wheat flour, 3 

 pounds ; powdered indigo, |- ounce ; finely powdered white 

 arsenic, 4 ounces ; oil of anise-seed, \ drachm. Mix, and 

 add of melted beef suet or mutton tallow 2| pounds, and 

 work the whole up into a paste. 



Commercial forms of phosphorus are popular as extermi- 

 nators of vermin. 



Wash for keeping rabbits, sheep, and mice away from 

 trees. Some writers recommend fresh lime, slaked with 

 soft water (old soapsuds are best) ; make the wash the 

 thickness of fence or house wash. When 1 peck of lime is 

 used, add, when hot, \ gallon crude carbolic acid, \ gallon 

 gas-tar, and 4 pounds of sulphur. Stir well. For summer 

 wash leave gas-tar out and add in place of it 1 gallon 



