SEEDS SOILS TRANSPLANTING 59 



thrift notions to such an extent that I find it very 

 difficult to carry out the close-cut method systemat- 

 ically. No doubt much depends upon soil and cli- 

 mate in relation to this method developed in Texas, 

 but at Stamford, Connecticut, there are several 

 species of trees transplanted by the Stringfellow 

 method which made a first-rate start and growth, 

 even surpassing several trees in which I had been 

 particularly careful to save a nice root and top. 



When young trees are first transplanted it is well 

 to give them a mulch of straw litter or of dead leaves 

 for the first two years. In this connection we must 

 remember, however, that mulch is synonymous with 

 mouse. Field mice will make cozy homes in . the 

 mulch. In the winter time when food is scarce mice 

 will destroy many trees unless provision is made in 

 advance by whitewashing or painting the trunks near 

 the ground. Wire gauze may be cut into appro- 

 priate lengths and tied about the young transplanted 

 trees in localities where field mice or rabbits are par- 

 ticularly abundant. Incidentally, it may be remarked 

 that rabbits and field mice are both pretty good eat- 

 ing. The time may come when shortage of meat 

 foods will lead to our utilization of neglected sup- 

 plies. It has been suggested that the only way to 

 thoroughly dispose of any one pest is to eat it. 

 Prejudice against the fat field vole is due to the fact 

 that somebody called it a mouse and then refused to 

 eat anything to which such a name had been given, 

 even though it is as good as a reed bird. 



If buds have not made a start by early August 



