64 The Horticulturist's Rule- Book. 



California ground-squirrel remedies, continued. 



Tying newspapers about trees in such manner as to allow 

 the upper part of the paper to project loosely a few inches, 

 frightens the squirrels away. 



Poison for English sparrows. — Dissolve arseniate of soda in warm 

 water at the rate of 1 ounce to 1 pint; pour this upon as 

 much wheat as it will cover (in a vessel which can be closed 

 so as to prevent evaporation) , and allow it to soak for at least 

 24 hours. Dry the wheat so prepared, and it. is ready for use. 

 It should be distributed in winter in places where the spar- 

 rows congregate. 



Bird-poisons. — 



1. Place a shallow box on the end of a pole and put it 4 or 

 5 feet from the ground to keep the poison out of the way of 

 domestic fowls. In the box sprinkle corn-meal and a very 

 little strychnine, which mixture the birds eat. It will not 

 hurt dogs or cats to eat the dead bird for the reason that 

 there is not enough poison absorbed by the bird. (Califor- 

 nian) . 



2. Put the strychnine in pieces of apples and stick them 

 on the ends of limbs of the trees. (Calif ornian.) 



To protect fruits from birds. — One of the best devices is mosquito- 

 bar spread over the bushes or trees. For bush-fruits and 

 and small trees the expense is not great. 



Have a taxidermist mount several hawks, and place them 

 in natural positions in the trees or vines. 



To protect newly planted seeds. Coat the seeds with red lead, 

 by moistening the seeds slightly and stirring in red lead 

 until all the seeds are thoroughly coated. Let the seeds 

 dry for two or three hours before sowing. 



To protect planted corn from crows. — Dip the kernels in coal-tar 

 and then dust them with plaster. 



❖ * * * 



The father of humankind himself ordains 



The husbandman should tread no path of flowers, 



Ttut waken the earth with sleepless pains. 

 So pricketh he these indolent hearts of ours. 



—Virgil. 



