POISONING RABBITS 



415 



Poisoning rabbits in spring, before green food is obtainable 

 and before the first litter has been produced, is a good plan for 

 eliminating the cottontail. Poisoning late in the fall or during 

 winter is also recommended. Cooperation on the part of neigh- 

 bors in this matter is. desirable. 



The method of procedure is as follows: Powder some crystals 

 of sulfate of strychnia with the head of a heavy nail, without 

 removing the strychnine from the small bottle in which it is sold. 

 Put as much of the powder as can be held on the point of a pocket- 



FIG. 400. A nest of young rabbits. (Ohio Station.) 



knife into slits hi small pieces of apple. These pieces may be 

 stuck on small twigs and set in the snow in order that they may 

 be easily seen above the surface. One can not be too careful with 

 poisons of this sort. These poisoned baits should be distributed 

 in such a way that other animals and children can not get at them. 

 Parsnips or carrots or melon rind may be substituted for the apple, 

 and frequently a change of bait is desirable. When using poisoned 

 fruit or roots, other fruit and roots should be kept out of reach of 

 the animals to be killed. 



Young andJfreshly cut apple twigs or suckers bearing buds 

 may also be used, dipping them in a sweetened strychnine solution 



