MISCHIEF OF MEADOW-MOUSE 67 



Growing grain of all kinds is destroyed. 



Field-mice injure early peas and other vege- 

 tables, and pine mice often destroy potatoes 

 in the ground. In the fall vegetables piled on 

 the ground or stored in pits are liable to at- 

 tack, and especially celery. Apples, pears, and 

 other fruits are eaten also, including melons. 



Blackberries, raspberries, grapes, currants, 

 gooseberries, and strawberries are often badly 

 damaged by field-mice, and when the animals 

 are abundant whole plantations are ruined. 

 Strawberries are especially liable to injury be- 

 cause of winter mulching and also because the 

 plants themselves furnish excellent food and 

 shelter for the animals. Winter mulching of 

 small fruits increases the damage unless care- 

 fully guarded by clean surrounding areas. 



Damage to standing nursery stock is done 

 usually under cover of snow; and in addition, 

 to girdling trees above the surface meadow- 

 mice sometimes dig down and attack the roots. 

 Pine mice usually begin their evil work with 

 the sprouting grain, and, in the case of fall- 

 sown wheat and rye, continue it during the en- 

 tire winter. Much greater damage is done 



