272 Weasels as Gopher and Squirrel Exterminators, 



COBCEA SCANDENS. 



(From Vicks Magazine, xiv. 250.) 



On account of its rapid growth Coboea scandens is one of the 

 best of climbing annuals. It has attractive foliage and large, bell- 

 shaped flowers which are, at first, of a greenish hue, changing rap- 

 idly to purple. The plants commence to blossom when quite small, 

 and continue until frost. Under favorable circumstances they-make 

 an immense growth, sometimes making a height of twenty-five or 

 thirty feet in a season. The seeds are hard to germinate and should 

 be started in the house. Make the soil moist and plant the seeds 

 edge downwards, and give no water until the seedlings are up, un- 

 less the soil in which they are planted becomes very dry. Sow seeds 

 in March or April, and as soon as the plants are large and strong 

 enough, remove a part of them to small pots and keep shaded a few 

 days. As the weather grows warm gradually accustom them to 

 out-door air, and plant out when all danger from frost is past. The 

 soil where they are to grow should be well and deeply worked with 

 plenty of old manure added. In dry weather water liberally, and 

 an occasional watering with liquid manure will help them ' rush ' 

 business. Some people remove the plants from the garden, where 

 they have done duty all summer, to the house for winter blooming, 

 but a better way is to plant seed in August for winter blooming, or 

 secure young plants by layering, which can be done at almost any 

 time of the year by the following method : ' Cut a notch near a 

 joint, place in a pot and fill with soil and keep the soil moist.' They 

 will be from two to four weeks rooting. It is a fine vine for parlor 

 growth, withstanding the effects of gas and coal -heated air. It is 

 not what can be called a tender plant, yet it needs sunshine, 

 warmth, a rich, friable soil and plenty of water. If allowed to 

 suffer for the want of water it will soon perish. Its tendrils are 

 very clinging and will seek to support themselves by clinging to 

 anything it can reach. It branches very freely, thus enabling a 

 single plant to quickly cover a large surface. Dorothy Lincoln. 



WEASELS AS GOPHER AND 'SQUIRREL EXTERMINATORS. 



An article has been going the rounds of the newspapers in 

 Southern California to the effect that weasels were used in some 

 places for the extermination of squirrels and gophers. Thus being 

 brought before the public, the qnery has been, are they a success, 

 and if so, how can they be handled so as to be of the most benefit? 

 The success with us has been very gratifying, as until about one 



