106 ELEMENTARY FORESTRY. 
thick and containing Paris Green in the proportion of one table- 
spoonful of Paris Green to a pailful of the wash. If skim milk 
is used in mixing the wash, instead of water, the material sticks 
better. Trees that are gnawed badly may often be saved by coat- 
ing the injured surface with grafting wax. blue clay, or other 
similar material, soon after the damage is done, so as to prevent 
the seasoning of the wood, and thus give it a chance to heal 
over. Where the injury is close to the ground it should be cov- 
ered with earth. 
The Pocket Gopher. Trees are sometimes injured by 
pocket gophers eating the roots. Trapping or poisoning may be 
resorted to, or bisulphide of carbon may be used to suffocate 
them in their burrows. , 
Birds. Most of our birds are helpful in various ways, such 
as distributing seeds and in destroying injurious insects, and 
such small injurious animals as mice and gophers. They also 
add to the beauty of our woods and fields, and to our pleasure 
and recreation. But some kinds are provokingly injurious by 
eating the seeds we wish to gather, or by digging up newly-sown 
seeds. Where they are troublesome on seed beds, they may be 
kept away by covering the bed with wire netting, which will also 
serve to keep away other animals. If only birds are trouble- 
some, mosquito netting may be used, or the seeds may be given 
a light coating of red lead and dried in land plaster or flour 
before sowing. 
The sap-sucker does considerable injury to some trees by 
making holes in the bark for the purpose of securing insects 
which go there to feed on the sap. They are sometimes so very 
injurious that it is necessary to destroy them. The Apple, Box- 
elder, Maple, and most other trees, are subject to their injuries. 
Cattle. The pasturing of cows, horses, sheep and other ani- 
mals in the woodlands is generally a poor practice, as these ani- 
mals browse off many of the young seedlings, especially those of 
deciduous trees, such as the Oak, Basswood, Cherry and 
others, though they seldom eat coniferous trees. They also com- 
pact the ground, and destroy many small seedlings by their con- 
tinued tramping, especially when present in large numbers. This 
is especially true of sheep on the Western forest reserves. Deer, 
moose, elk and other similar animals are likewise injurious in 
