PROTECT TREES FROM MICE AND RABBITS 155 



Hardware cloth with two to four meshes per inch (Fig. 53) 

 will give protection against meadow mice during the summer 

 and autumn. At no time is it protection against the pine 

 mouse. This cloth comes in rolls 36 inches 

 wide. The roll may be cut in two at the 

 center, making each strip 18 inches wide. 

 Cut these strips into pieces at about 14- 

 inch intervals so that pieces 14 by 18 

 inches are obtained. Roll and bend the 

 strip about the trunk in such manner that 

 the long way is up and down the trunk, 

 and that the edges overlap well. The 

 lower edges should be pushed well down 

 into the soil. Twist a small wire loosely 

 about the center. 



The trees are thus protected for several 

 years without further attention, and at 

 one operation. When the diameter of the 

 trunk makes a change necessary, the strip 

 may be turned so that it is 14 inches high 

 and 18 inches in circumference, if de- 

 sired. The objection to the use of this 

 material lies in its first cost, but once ob- 

 tained it will last for many years and may 

 be transferred to younger trees as older 

 ones outgrow the need for it. 



The foregoing measures also constitute 

 protection against the common wild rabbit. 

 In addition, repellents, such as lime-sulfur 

 at full strength with various materials 

 added, are sometimes applied with a brush 

 to the tree trunks. These possess value 

 but need to be renewed frequently and sometimes are not 

 sufficient. A repellent wash for rabbits recommended by the 

 United States Department of Agriculture is: 



Fig. 53. Wire pro- 

 tectors will usually 

 prevent injury from 

 mice. They should 

 be pushed into the 

 soil and the cut 

 edges at the top 

 should be bent away 

 from the tree. 



