MISCHIEF OF MEADOW-MOUSE 67 
Growing grain of all kinds is destroyed. 
Field-mice injure early peas and other vege- 
tables, and pine mice often destroy potatoes 
in the ground. In the fall vegetables piled on 
the ground or stored in pits are liable to at- 
tack, and especially celery. Apples, pears, and 
other fruits are eaten also, including melons. 
‘Blackberries, raspberries, grapes, currants, 
gooseberries, and strawberries are often badly 
damaged by field-mice, and when the animals 
are abundant whole plantations are ruined. 
Strawberries are especially liable to injury be- 
cause of winter mulching and also because the 
plants themselves furnish excellent food and 
shelter for the animals. Winter mulching of 
small fruits increases the damage unless care- 
fully guarded by clean surrounding areas. 
Damage to standing nursery stock is done 
usually under cover of snow; and in addition 
to girdling trees above the surface .meadow- 
mice sometimes dig down and attack the roots. 
Pine mice usually begin their evil work with 
the sprouting grain, and, in the case of fall- 
sown wheat and rye, continue it during the en- 
tire winter. Much greater damage is done 
