MAMMALS IN THEIR KELATION TO SPOTTED FEVER. 



7 



Bisulphid can be used to best advantage after a rain, when the in- 

 terspaces in the soil are filled with water, so that the fumes are less 

 readily diffused into the surrounding ground. 



In colonies where the holes are close together half an ounce of 

 the bisulphid is enough for each burrow, but in the case of solitary 

 burrows a full ounce should be used. 



As carbon bisulphid is inflammable and the fumes highly explosive, 

 it should never be opened near a fire or where a person is smoking. 



SMALLER SPECIES OF GROUND SQUIRRELS AND CHIPMUNKS. 



The two species of chipmunks and the side-striped ground squirrel 

 feed extensively on seeds and are fond also of grain. They can 

 readily be poisoned with a preparation of strychnine, starch, and 

 wheat. The following is the formula : 



I. 



Wheat ^ 1 bushel. 



Water 1 quart 



Starch ^ 2 tablespoonfuls. 



Saccharin 2 tea spoonfuls. 



Strychnia (pulverized) 2 ounces. 



Add the starch, saccharin, and strychnia to the water; heat to 

 boiling and stir constantly after the starch begins to thicken. When 

 the starch is fully cooked, stir it into the wheat, every kernel of 

 which should be coated. A galvanized iron washtub is an excellent 

 mixing vessel, especially as it is easily cleaned. Either the sulphate 

 or the alkaloid of strychnia may be used. 



During rainy weather it is better to substitute melted tallow for 

 the starch solution as a coating medium. In this case, the wheat 

 should first be slightly warmed and the saccharin and strychnine 

 added, and then the talloAv applied, in the proportion of a quart to a 

 bushel of Avheat. 



II. 



Coarse crackling meal f quart 



Strychnine (alkaloid) oO grains (tV ounce) 



Chop lard cracklings to coarse meal (containing chunks one-quarter 

 to one-half inch square). With a salt shaker, slowly add the pow- 

 dered strychnine, mixing constantly to distribute it evenly. Add 

 one-quarter quart of fine crackling meal and mix well, to cover the 

 strychnine and disguise its bitter taste. 



PINE SQUIRRELS. 



Shooting and trapping seem to be the most practical methods of 

 reducing the numbers of pine squirrels, as they do not take poison 

 readily. 



[Clr. 82] 



