244 PESTS AND NUISANCES 



(load bird, for the reason that there is not enough poison absorbed by 

 the bird. (California.) 



2. Put the .strychnine in pieces of apples, and stick them on the 

 ends of limbs of the trees. (California.) 



3. Poison for English sparrows. 



Di.ssolve arsenate of soda in warm water at the rate of one ounce to 

 one j)int ; pour this upon as much wheat as it will cover (in a vessel which 

 can be closed so as to prevent evaporation), and allow it to soak for at 

 l(>ast twenty-four hours. Dry the wheat so prepared, and it is ready 

 for u.se. It should be distributed in winter in places where the sparrows 

 congregate. Wheat maj^ be similarly ]ireparcd with strychnine. 



4. Put i ounce of strychnia sulfate into f of a gill of hot water, 

 and l)oil until dissolved. Moisten Ih teaspoonfuls of starch with a few 

 drops of cold water, add it to the poison solution, and heat till the starch 

 thickens. Pour the hot poisoned starch over a quart of wheat, and stir 

 until every kernel is coated. 



To protect fruits from birds. 



One of the best devices is mosquito-bar spread over the bushes or 

 trees. For ))ush-fruits and small trees the expense is not great. There 

 is a commercial netting made for the purpose. 



Have a taxidermist mount several hawks, and place them in natural 

 j)()sitions in the trees or vines. 



In large plantations of cherries or other fruits subject to the depre- 

 dations of l)irds, the injury is generally proportionately less than in 

 small areas. Some cherry-growers plant early sweet varieties to feed 

 tlio liirds, which, getting their fill, give less attention to the main crop. 

 P>irds prefer the Russian mulberry to cherries, and an occasional tree in 

 the cherry orchard may protect the crop. 



Plantings of mulberry, buckthorn, elder, and chokeberry may serve 

 to protect raspberries and blackberries. For strawberries, sweet early 

 varieties which are left to ripen on the vines have been recommended. 



To protect newly planted seeds from birds. 



Coat the seeds with red lead by moistening the seeds slightly and 

 stirring in red lead until all the seeds are thoroughly coated. Let the 

 seeds dry for two or three hours before sowing. 



