NURSERY PRACTICE ON THE NATIONAL FORKSTS. 77 



mals (seed and berries) ripens. Where mice work under a mulch 

 and girdle nursery stock during the winter, the scattering of water- 

 proof poisoned wheat throughout and under the mulch has been" 

 found effective in destroying them at the Monument Nursery. This 

 bait is prepared as follows, in accordance with Circular 78 of the 

 Biological Survey : 



Wheat 1 bushel. 



Tallow 1 quart. 



Saccharine 1 2 teaspoonfuls. 



Strychnia (pulverized) 2 ounces. 



The wheat should be slightly warmed, the saccharine and strych- 

 nia added, and the whole stirred thoroughly, and then the melted 

 tallow applied. 



Mice and chipmunks are also destroyed by sinking large cans to 

 the level of the ground, partly filling them with water, and distribut- 

 ing seed on its surface. In attempting to secure the seed the 

 rodents fall into the water and are drowned. About 700 were de'- 

 stroyed in this manner at the Pocatello Nursery in one season. 

 Small baited spring traps placed near or upon the seed beds are quite 

 effective in destroying mice. 



At the old Garden City Nursery poisoned corn proved effective 

 against kangaroo rats. At the Fort Bayard and the Pilgrim Creek 

 Nurseries gophers are successfully combated by the use of gopher 

 traps. At the Pilgrim Creek Nursery moles are effectively con- 

 trolled by trapping. Carbide fumes were tried for driving out moles 

 at the Page Creek Nursery, but were not effective. At the Converse 

 Flats Nursery potato parings at the rate of one-half bushel to 1 ounce 

 of strychnia (alkaloid) and 1 teaspoonful of saccharine are used to 

 destroy digger squirrels. The parings are distributed in the burrows 

 of these animals. At this nursery poisoned cracklings are found 

 effective against chipmunks. This is prepared in accordance with 

 the formula in Circular 82 of the Biological Survey, as follows : 



Coarse crackling meal f quart. 



Strychnine (alkaloid) 30 grams (t"s ounce). 



Chop lard cracklings (fried down suet) to coarse meal (containing chunks 

 one-fourth to one-half inch square ) . Slowly sprinkle with the powdered 

 strychnine and mix constantly to distribute it evenly. Add one-fourth quart 

 of fine crackling meal, and mis well to cover the strychnine and disguise its 

 bitter taste. 



For some of the latest methods developed for combating rodents 

 the Forest Service is indebted to Mr. S. E. Piper, of the Biological 

 Survey. These are as follows : 



Mix 1 heaping tablespoonful of gloss starch in one-half teacup of cold water 

 and stir with 1 pint of boiling water to make a thin, clear mucilage. Remove 



1 Saccharine is not essential. 



