792 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Mix the strychnin, soda and saccharin together in dry form and crush all lumps 

 of the soda. Pour over the above the quantity of the sirup called for and stir to 

 a smooth paste free of lumps. The few lumps of soda remaining will be dissolved 

 when the hot starch paste is added. About a quarter pound of starch will make 

 sufficient starch paste made as per smaller formula. Starch paste is added to the sirup 

 paste and stirred until the sirup paste is all free from container. Glycerin can be 

 added last. For a batch this size the solution should be made up in a large dishpan. 

 Pour mixture over correct amount of grain and mix thoroughly until every grain is 

 coated. A batch of this size may conveniently be mixed on a smooth, concrete floor, 

 or in a box specially made 6 feet long by 4 feet wide by 1 foot high. (See fig. 52.) 



DIRECTIONS FOR DESTROYING POCKET GOPHERS. 



Pocket gophers are readily caught in any one of several makes of special traps 

 commonly on the market, and a few of these suffice to keep small areas free of the 

 pests. For ridding alfalfa fields, orchards, and long stretches of ditch embankments 

 of them, a very successful and much more practical method is to poison them by use 

 of baits of sweet potato or of parsnips placed in their underground runways. 



The baits should be cut about 1 inch long and l inch square, and washed and 

 drained. From a pepper box slowly sift k ounce of powdered strychnin (alkaloid) 

 and 1/10 of this quantity of saccharin (ground together in a mortar) over about 4 

 quarts of the dampened baits, stirring to distribute the poison evenly. 



The runways, which are usually 4 to 8 inches beneath the surface, can be located 

 by means of a probe made of any strong handle an inch in diameter and 36 inches 

 long. One end should be bluntly pointed. Into the other should be fitted a piece 

 of |-inch iron rod, protruding about 12 inches and bluntly pointed. A foot rest 

 aids in probing in hard soils. By forcing down the iron rod near gopher workings, 

 or a foot or two back of fresh mounds, the open tunnel can be felt as the point 

 breaks into it. The blunt end of the instrument is then used carefully to enlarge 

 the hole, a bait or two is dropped into the run, and the probe hole closed. 



One soon becomes expert in locating the runs, and a man can treat 300 to 500 

 gopher workings in a day. Baits need be placed at only two points in each separate 

 system of 10 to 30 mounds, which is usually the home of a single gopher. Experience 

 has shown that baits placed fairly in the open runs invariably kill the gophers. The 

 method has found great favor wherever introduced. 



DIRECTIONS FOR POISONING MEADOW AND FIELD MICE. 



Meadow mice are readily destroyed by means of poisoned baits placed in their 

 trails or shallow tunnels, which can be easily located by probing with a bluntly 

 pointed stick. Depredations by meadow mice may be greatly lessened, and serious 

 outbreaks prevented by clean cultivation, the elimination of old fence rows, and 

 prompt burning of weeds and other trash. 



Dry Grain Formula. Mix thoroughly 1 oz. powdered strychnin (alkaloid), 1 oz. 

 powdered bicarbonate of soda, and | oz. (or less) of saccharin. Put the mixture in 

 a tin pepper box and sift gradually over 50 lbs. of crushed wheat, or 40 lbs. of 

 crushed oats, in a metal tub, mixing the grain constantly so that the poison will be 

 evenly distributed. 



Wet Grain Formula. Dissolve 1 oz.. of strychnin (sulphate) in 2 qts. boiling 

 water. Dissolve 2 tablespoonfuls of laundry starch in ^ pint of cold water. Add 

 the starch to the strychnin solution and boil for a few minutes, until the starch is 

 clear. Pour the hot starch over 40 lbs. of oats in a metal tub and stir thoroughly. 

 Let the grain stand overnight to absorb the poison. 



The poisoned grain prepared by either of the above formulas is to be distributed 

 over the infested areas, not more than a teaspoonful at a place, care being taken to 

 put it in the mouse runs and entrance to burrows. 



Alfalfa Formula. One ounce of strychnin (sulphate) dissolved in 2 gallons hot 

 water, to 30 lbs. alfalfa hay, previously moistened, was successfully used to destroy 

 meadow mice in Nevada, during the serious outbreak of the animals in 1907-1908. 

 The bait, distributed in small quantities at a place, was very effective against the 

 rodents and did not endanger birds. 



Potato Formula. Poisoned sweet potato baits are very effective for both meadow 

 and pine mice. Cut sweet potatoes into pieces about the size of grapes. Place 3 

 quarts of these cut baits in a pan or bucket, and from a tin pepper box slowly sift 



200. 



