40 TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



In addition there a^-e 6,500 seedlings of white ash and hickory which 

 were left at Brown's Station, as the v/eather became so inclement that it 

 seemed best to wait until the next spring before setting them out at Canoe 

 Point. For the same reason, 15,115 plants were heeled in at Canoe Point 

 awaiting spring, when they will be set out also, or used for reinforcing any 

 blanks which may be found. 



The seedlings were planted at intervals of seven feet each way instead 

 of four as customary in a plantation of conifers, or one that is intended for 

 timber production only. This work was placed in charge of Mr. E. M. 

 Moffett, one of the State Foresters and a graduate of the Forestry School 

 at Biltmore, N. C, where there are good opportunities for studying the 

 technical methods used in making a plantation of hardwoods. Before 

 selecting definitely the site at Canoe Point, Mr. Moffett made a preliminary 

 examination of the soil, which he reported as being of the best quality, 

 proper depth, and well adapted to the growth of the various species which 

 we intended to plant. 



In order to protect the plantation from cattle which had hitherto grazed 

 freely on this land, a substantial wire fence, nearly one mile in length, was 

 constructed across the base of the peninsula which forms the Canoe Point 

 tract. The cost of this fence, however, was not taken out of our appro- 

 priation for tree planting, but was charged to a special fund which had been 

 provided by the Legislature for the betterment of properties in the St. 

 Lawrence Reservation. 



While planting up the land on this tract the attention of the forester 

 was directed to the field mice which were evidently there in dangerous 

 numbers. The plantation was therefore thoroughly "poisoned" by a 

 liberal distribution of a mixture consisting of corn meal, or wheat, and 

 strychnine. Two formulas were used for this purpose : 



1. Three quarts of corn meal, one-twelfth ounce of strychnine, one- 

 half pound of brown sugar, and one quart of water. 



2. Three quarts of wheat, one-twelfth ounce strychnine, one-half 

 pound brown sugar, and one quart of water. 



For such purpose the sugar and strychnine should in each case be first 

 dissolved in the water thoroughly. If wheat is used the grains should be 

 soaked in this mixture two days, after which, the water having been absorbed 



