Plants as Affected ~by Animal Parasites. 155 



Stored seeds of almost all kinds must be carefully 

 guarded against mice. 



273. Gophers are often troublesome by eating planted 

 seeds and by burrowing about the roots of young orchard 

 trees. .They may be poisoned by placing corn, soaked 

 in a weak solution of strychnin in water, about their 

 holes. 



274. 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 in- 

 closing the trunks with the devices mentioned under 

 sun-scald (186). Smearing the stems with blood has also 

 been recommended. 



275. 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. 



276. Birds are often troublesome by eating unharvested 

 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. 



b By insects, worms, slugs and snails. As worms, 

 slugs and snails work the same kind of injuries as some 



