CHAPTER XVII 



DIRECTIONS FOR POISONING AND 

 TRAPPING 



THE most effective method of warfare 

 against the multitude of rodent pests of the 

 granary, garden, field and orchard, and the 

 wolf-enemies of the sheepfold, is undoubtedly 

 by the use of poison. The employment of this 

 agent requires knowledge and care, however, 

 since it is equally dangerous to animals that 

 the farmer has no desire to kill, and to himself 

 and his family. Fortunately for us, therefore, 

 we can now avail ourselves of the results of 

 much experience and of carefully formulated 

 advice prepared by experts. 



Waste of effort. We are met at the outset 

 by the startling statement from the Biological 

 Survey that "at present fully half the expendi- 

 ture in the United States for rodent poisons is 

 wasted." As it is added that "in the West the 

 people of a single county sometimes expend 

 $25,000 to $30,000 a year for poisons for de- 



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