264 THE APPLE 



Injury from rabbits. The injury to the bark of the trees by 

 rabbits differs from that done by the mice. Rabbits work higher 

 up on the tree, commonly starting about 12 or 18 inches from 

 the ground, tearing off the bark in strips and chewing larger bits, 

 while mice start at or below the surface of the soil and chew out 

 small bits. 



In the West the jackrabbit is the pest, while in northern United 

 States and Canada the hare is the destroyer. The familiar cotton- 

 tail rabbit is common to the eastern regions. 



The protection against rabbits may be taller wire screens or a 

 spray or a paint. Lime-sulphur wash may be used as the spray, 

 and may be applied in November at the time the orchardist is spray- 

 ing for the San Jose scale. If the trees are not being sprayed, the 

 solution may be applied with a brush or small hand sprayer. The 

 home grower with a few trees should purchase a can of some one 

 of the commercial brands of prepared lime-sulphur rather than go 

 to the trouble of mixing a small amount. 



White-lead paint promises to become the most satisfactory treat- 

 ment, owing to its cheapness, permanency, and ease of application, 

 as well as its power to prevent the entrance of borers into the tree. 

 In painting, it may be necessary to remove some loose soil at the 

 base of the tree. Allow time for the bark to dry out where the soil 

 lay against it. Give the bark when dry a thorough coating with the 

 paint, from the lowest exposed point to about 3 feet or more from 

 the ground level. After the paint has dried, replace the soil about 

 the trunk of the tree. 



Both the lime-sulphur and the white lead have been found to 

 be satisfactory in fighting mice also. 



Many other substances have been recommended and in certain 

 cases may be effective. 



Injury from deer. In some states injury from deer is com- 

 mon. The deer trim the tops of newly set trees or the sides of 

 older trees, especially young branches. It seems that the does are 

 the chief offenders. Certain states reimburse owners for loss by 

 deer, but the return of money for several years' growth or the 

 constant annual deer pruning will never pay the orchardist. In 

 some states the law permits the owner of an orchard to shoot the 

 deer if damage is being done, reporting the case at once to the 



