BABBITS 173 



little, or a furrow plowed against it to prevent 

 an occasional disposition to dig under. 



Protecting trees against rabbits. The de- 

 vices that have been recommended for protect- 

 ing trees from rabbits are too numerous for 

 separate mention. The majority consist of 

 paints, washes, or smears supposed to be dis- 

 tasteful to the animals. Unfortunately, those 

 that are sufficiently permanent to afford pro- 

 tection for an entire winter often injure or even 

 kill the trees to which they are applied. Coal 

 tar, pine tar, tarred paper, and various oils are 

 likely to kill young trees. Blood and animal 

 fats when freshly applied will protect from 

 rabbits, but are objectionable, since they are 

 highly attractive to the destructive short- 

 tailed field-mice. Carbolic acid and other vol- 

 atile substances afford only temporary protec- 

 tion, and must be renewed too often to justify 

 their use. Bitter substances, like commercial 

 aloes, or quassia, are useless against rabbits. 



Among the most promising washes that have 

 been recommended for tree protection is the 

 "lime-and-sulphur" wash, so effective in win- 

 ter for the destruction of the San Jose scale. 



