310 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



But prevention of mouse plagues is far better and easier than their 

 control after they have gained full headway. Field mice, wherever 

 they abound, should be regarded as a menace, and their natural 

 enemies should be protected and encouraged. In ordinary times 

 mice should be killed by dogs, by flooding fields in cold weather, by 

 winter poisoning, and by burning herbage which affords them 

 shelter. Holding field mice in check is worth its cost many times 

 over in minimizing the steady drain they inflict on farm products; 

 moreover, it is the best preventive of widespread devastation. 



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