POISONING FIELD MICE 223 



planters compact the soil with the hoe, while others use the feet. 

 The extent of compacting advisable will depend upon the type of 

 soil and the amount of moisture it contains. When ready for 

 planting, the hill should be practically level with the general 

 surface of the field. If too low, the hill will become water-soaked 

 in case of rain and the seeds or plants injured; if too high, there 

 is likely to be insufficient moisture to insure proper germination 

 and growth. 



Planting the Seed. — If the hills have been made more than a 

 few minutes before the seed is dropped, the top layer of dry soil 

 should be scraped aside with a hoe so that the seed may be placed 

 in immediate contact with moist soil. The area thus prepared 

 for planting the seed should be at least six inches across, and should 

 be smooth and level. From ten to fifteen seeds should be scattered 

 uniformly over this area and covered with about half an inch of 

 fine, moist soil. This should be firmed with the back of the hoe 

 and then covered with a sprinkle of loose dirt to serve as a mulch. 

 If a heavy rain packs the top soil and a crust is formed before the 

 plants appear, it is wise to go over the field and carefully break 

 the crust over each hill by means of a garden rake. 



The method of preparing the hills and planting the seed de- 

 scribed above applies to field rather than garden conditions and 

 to soils of medium rather than excessive fertility. In a market 

 garden, where the soil is exceedingly rich as a result of repeated 

 manuring for onions or cabbage and is in fine tilth, it is a common 

 practice to sow the melon seed in drills six to eight feet apart by 

 means of a garden seed drill. This is done without any special 

 preparation of the soil where the plants are to stand, or applica- 

 tion of fertilizing material other than manure applied broadcast 

 before plowing. 



Poisoning Field Mice. — The night after the seed is planted, 

 a large part of it may be dug up and destroyed by field mice. If 

 the seeds in each hill have been planted close together, the hills 

 that are attacked are usually destroyed completely, but if they 

 have been scattered as previously advised, some seeds may escape. 

 However, in regions where mice are at all abundant, some addi- 

 tional precaution is necessary in order to insure a stand of plants. 

 The simplest method is to scatter poisoned melon seed about the 

 field the day the crop is planted. For poisoning the seed, one-eighth 

 of an ounce of strychnine is dissolved in a quart of water. Hot 

 water should be used, since several hours are required to effect 



