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OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION*: BULEETIN 208 



un i t those with effective means of protection. With the average 

 home orchard the danger is greater than in the large plantation, and 

 the possible means of protection more generally disregarded or 

 over-looked. 



Thus do we find, by a very simple calculation, that there is prob- 

 ably Incurred, annually, the astounding loss of over $200,000 in Ohio, 

 from the work of the sharp teeth of bark-eating rodents, and those 

 of mischievous and destructive habits. 



Much complaint has been received by the Horticultural Depart- 

 ment of the Experiment Station, of the injury and loss wrought by 

 rodents, and repeated requests for suggestions as to effective means 

 of protection of young and newly set orchards have been received. 

 In many cases bearing trees are reported killed by mice. 



In order to fully meet the demands of the planting public, this 

 illustrated pamphlet has been prepared, which is the first of a series 

 of purely practical bulletins planned to be issued in the future by 

 the Horticultural Department of the Station. This series of 

 bulletins will present in popular form that class of information so 

 eagerly and persistently sought by the hundreds of beginners in 

 horticulture who write to the Station for suggestions and assistance. 



I. A TRUE ORCHARD INCIDENT 



Accompanied by a little daughter who is deeply interested in and 

 delights in trees, plants and flowers and the furred and feathered 

 families which make their homes among them, the writer visited a 

 certain section of our young apple orchard growing under the grass- 

 mulch method of culture on a steep hill-slope at "Dale View." It was 

 in the late summer of 1908, the season at which the owners of young 

 trees should plan for protection from rabbits, which often begin test- 

 ing the sharpness of their teeth as early as November, while there 

 is yet an abundance of green vegetation upon which to feed. 



The first tree visited was one which had been top-grafted in the 

 spring of 1*)08 with a rare, new variety. While admiring the growth 

 of this young tree the loss of which would be a very serious matter 

 indeed, the observing eyes of the little girl detected a bit of rabbit 

 fur clinging to the grass stems nearby. Here was a recognized clue 

 to something of interest to a youthful lover of nature. A short 

 search followed and ts object was discovered. 



