THE GROUND SQUIRRELS OF CALIFORNIA. 



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over them £ ounce powdered strychnin mixed with an equal quantity of baking soda, 

 stirring constantly so that the poison is evenly distributed. Poison should be applied 

 as soon as the potatoes are cut, and bait should be put out while fresh. 



The bait, whether grain or potatoes, may be dropped into the mice tunnels 

 through the natural openings, or through holes made with broom handle or other 

 stick. 



METHODS FOE DESTROYING JACK RABBITS. 



Rabbits may be destroyed best by poisoning or driving, and these methods to be 

 fully effective in any given district must be applied co-operatively. 



In giving methods for destroying jack rabbits, it must be admitted that no specific 

 control has been developed and results can be expected only after the trial of more 

 than one type of procedure. 



In poisoning jack rabbits, feeding grounds or runways ought to be definitely 

 located. Moist poisoned alfalfa leaves have often proved very effective in the fall 

 when natural feed has dried up. AVhen rabbits are feeding on alfalfa crowns after 

 the last fall cutting or after pasturing, small handfuls of the leaves are readily 

 taken by rabbits. Drags in plowed land will often create a runway in which the 

 baits can be laid. 



The Alfalfa Formula. Dissolve 1 oz. of strychnin sulphate in 2 gallons of hot 

 water and sprinkle over 10 lbs. of dry alfalfa hay leaves. Well formed leaves should 

 be used. No dust or sticks should be mixed in with them. They can be threshed 

 out of stacked or baled hay very easily on a large piece of canvas. Mix the leaves 

 thoroughly until all the moisture is absorbed. The poisoned leaves should be dis- 

 tributed in small handfuls in lines a few feet apart across portions of the field where 

 observations show the rabbits to be feeding ; stock should be excluded. In localities 

 where alfalfa is not raised, grain heads may be substituted. 



Poisoned Oats. Mix thoroughly 1 oz. powdered strychnin (alkaloid) and 1 oz. 

 common baking soda. Dissolve 1 heaping tablespoonful of laundry starch in a little 

 cold water, and add 1 quart boiling water. Boil and stir until thin clear paste is 

 formed. Slowly sift mixture of strychnin and soda into starch paste, stirring con- 

 stantly until it becomes a smooth creamy mass. Add i oz. of saccharin and stir 

 thoroughly. Pour this mixture while still hot, over 12 quarts of good oats, and 

 mix until all the grain is coated. A good tablespoonful makes a single bait. 



Partly ripened or ripe heads of barley and wheat soaked in a sweetened solution 

 of strychnin or coated with the starch-strychnin paste, just described, have also 

 proved effective baits for rabbits, but care must be exercised in using them, as they 

 are likely to be eaten by livestock. 



Poison Wash for Fruit Trees. Dissolve 1 oz. of strychnin (sulphate) in 3 quarts 

 of boiling water. Dissolve ^ pound of laundry starch in 1 pint cold water, stirring 

 thoroughly. Pour the starch into the vessel containing the strychnin, and boil 

 the mixture a short time until the starch is clear. Add 6 oz. of glycerin and stir. 

 When mixture is. cool enough apply to tree trunks with a paint brush. This method 

 has proved effective in saving trees from jack rabbits and is recommended for trial. 



During the dry season in California melons and cull fruits have often .proved 

 effective. Watermelon cut into portions, or left almost whole, with a slice out of 

 one side, can have the cut portions rubbed with powdered strychnin sulphate, or 

 incisions may be made into which crystals of strychnin sulphate are introduced. 

 Good results have been reported from this. 



Jack rabbits are often found where more or less alkali exists. If not the case an 

 ounce of salt ground together in a mortar with 1/12 ounce of powdered strychnin 

 (alkaloid) may do good work. To prevent stock from taking it, the mixture may be 

 introduced into inch holes bored into short blocks of wood. These can be placed 

 near feeding grounds or spots where a pile of hay has been placed to attract the 

 rabbits. .. 



DIRECTIONS FOR POISONING AND TRAPPING RATS AND MICE. 



One of the cheapest and most effective poisons for rats and mice is barium 

 carbonate. This -mineral has the advantage of being without taste or smell. It 

 has a corrosive action on the mucous lining of the stomach and is dangerous to 

 larger animals if taken in sufficient quantity. In small doses fed to rats it would 

 be harmless to domestic animals. Its action upon rats is slow, and if exit is possible 



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