102 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



but it is very doubtful whether it is wiser to kill thera or to let 

 them live for the good they do in destroying insects and worms. 

 Probably tlie best way to deal with crows and blackbirds is to 

 feed tlicm by sowing upon the field, corn soaked soft ; they will 

 fill themselves from it, and will not pull tlie corn much in the 

 hill. Against rats and mice, a good barn cat, if you can per- 

 suade her to stay at the barn, unworried by the dog, is an 

 invaluable piece of property. If grain be stowed very closely 

 in the barn, with the buts out, rats will not trouble it much. 

 An excellent arrangement is to have the corn-house completely 

 removed from any other building, and set upon piers or posts, 

 on which is placed a slate stone, or an old tin pan, to prevent 

 the ascent of the rats. The steps by which to enter should be 

 movable, kept within the door, and set up only when used. 



The ravages by field-mice upon trees, are sometimes very 

 severe ; the usual fall digging and manuring are commonly a 

 sufficient protection. If the young trees stand in a stubble- 

 field, a pretty sure way to protect them is to cast a bank round 

 the tree a foot in height. Care should be observed, however, that 

 the dirt be taken far enough from the tree not to expose the 

 roots, or let the water settle into them. If the first snow that 

 falls in winter is tramped hard about young trees, the solid 

 mass will usually keep mice from tlie bodies of the trees. 



There is no more slovenly sight, and no waste more easily 

 prevented, than that of lice upon cattle, and ticks on sheep. It 

 is impossible that cattle should be thrifty with these myriads of 

 blood-suckers on them ; there is no excuse for allowing it. 

 Various expellants may be used, as snufF, whale oil, strong 

 soap suds, sometimes mercurial ointment or unguentum, 

 whicli, however, is so effectual as often to kill lice, cattle and 

 all. We think the best and cheapest article known is Jaques' 

 Extract of Tobacco, prepared and sold by Fisher & Co., Central 

 Wharf, Boston, in nice packages at very reasonable rates, 

 about an ounce of which, dissolved in a gallon of water, makes 

 a wash easy to use and fatal to the vermin on cattle, colts and 

 sheep. A small piece of sulphur once or twice a week, renders 

 the animal a disagreeable abiding place for vermin. Nor will 

 they thrive on well-fed, well-carded, good-conditioned stock. 



All the depredations caused by insects are wastes, and many 

 of them may bo prevented by care. It would far transcend 



