CONTROL MICE 



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should be filled so that the water drains away from, rather 

 than toward, the tree. 



The area in general may be so flat as to possess poor surface 

 drainage. The condition is aggravated if the subsoil is heavy 

 and slow in permitting water to work through it. Under such 

 conditions, a system of soil management that will ridge up the 

 tree rows, so that the water runs to the center of the spaces 

 between the rows, will help the trees through the winter. 

 Young trees located on such areas should never be left in dead 

 furrows or out furrows during the winter. All tile drains 

 should be inspected in the fall to make sure that they are work- 

 ing properly and that the outlets are in good condition. 



3. Control Mice. Mice often damage fruit trees by girdling 

 them above or below ground. Usually they are more destruc- 

 tive in orchards under the sod or mulch systems with a heavy 

 stand of crops, especially if the crop has gone to seed and thus 

 attracts them. The injury, though greatest in the winter 

 months, is likely to take place any time in the fall or even 

 early in the growing season. 



Injury above ground is usually caused by the common field 

 or meadow mouse, that below ground by the pine mouse. 

 The field mouse is larger and grayer than the pine mouse, which 

 is reddish brown and resembles the mole. The grower is not 

 likely to note the damage to the tree by the pine mouse until 

 it is too late to prevent it. 



Poisoning the mice is practicable, especially when the 

 orchard cannot be cultivated. In using a toxic bait or ro- 

 denticide the grower should take advantage of his knowledge 

 of the habits of the tree-girdling mouse. This mouse confines 

 its movements to small runways which can easily be found 

 by lifting the mulch under the trees. If a bait is placed di- 

 rectly in the paths and covered, it is almost certain that good 

 results will be obtained. Do not place bait where no runways 

 are to be found. To prepare bait, cut cull apples of a firm 

 variety into %-inch pieces, 100 pieces making approximately 

 a quart of material, and sift over it a white powder which 



