CORN 131 



two-thirds full of shelled corn, then fill with water. 

 Shake the bottle to dissolve the strychnine, and let 

 it stand two days, until the grain has swelled and 

 absorbed the strychnine solution. 



Just as the corn is coming up, or when the crows 

 begin to pull it, scatter this poisoned corn broad- 

 cast over the field either in the form of a long line 

 or cross in the center of the field or a large circle. 

 When the crows alight in the field they will pick 

 up this poisoned corn before they will take the 

 trouble to pull the planted corn, and the first crow 

 that eats this corn will shortly feel the effect of 

 the poison and start for the woods. In doing so 

 he utters peculiar cries or squawks, and sometimes 

 will drop dead in his flight. Again, he may alight 

 on a fence or adjacent tree, but before dying he 

 usually has made such a fuss that other crows 

 understand fully what the trouble is. Of course, 

 the larger the flock that is with him the better, for 

 they will all reach the conclusion that corn in the 

 field is not proper to eat. It may be necessary to 

 repeat the operation in a week or so, or perhaps 

 sooner, if new crows visit the section. There are 

 great numbers of crows wherever corn is grown 

 and the damage they do is often very great. To 

 save the corn destroy the crows. 



Putting Corn in Shocks. — Corn will dry out bet- 

 ter if the shocks are kept down to a reasonable 

 size. From 100 to 144 hills are usually enough, 

 especially if the stalks are not exceedingly large. 

 When husking time is at hand, the corn ought to 

 be fairly well dried out. Instead of putting the 

 fodder of each shock by itself, set two or three 

 together. The fodder will keep in fine condition 

 and later on will turn out bright and free from mold. 



