CHAPTER V. 



INJURIES FROM MICE, RABBITS, SQUIRRELS AND 

 BIRDS, WITH PREVENTIVES AND REMEDIES. 



To prevent mice from gridling trees in winter. In heeling- 

 in young trees in the fall, do not use straw or litter, in 

 which mice can make their nests. In orchards, see that 

 tall grass, corn husks, or other dry material does not 

 gather about the trees in fall. If danger from mice is ap- 

 prehended, tramp the first snow firmly about the trees, in 

 order to compact the grass and litter so that mice cannot 

 find shelter. Where the paper birch grows, it will be 

 found a good plan to place sections of birch bark from 

 limbs or small trunks about the base of the tree. These 

 sections roll up tightly about the tree, and yet expand so 

 readily with the growth of the tree that they may be al- 

 lowed to remain. Tie thin strips of wood, as laths or 

 shingles, about the tree. 



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 com- 

 mon paint ; Portland cement 10 parts and gas tar i pi-Jtj 

 Portland cement 10 parts and asphaltum i part ; Port- 

 land cement 10 parts and Merrill's tree ink i part. 



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

 decoction, and soap-suds. 



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

 meal or wheat flour, of each 6 ozs.; carbonate of baryta, 



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