6 



farmers' bulletin 932. 



Put tlio luixluro in a tin pepperbox juul sift it j;rjulnally oxqv 50 pounds of 

 cnislied wheat, or 40 pounds of crushed oats, in a metal tub, mixing the grain 

 constantly so that the poison will be evenly distributed. Dry mixing has the 

 ailvantage that the grain may be kept any length of time witliout fermentation. 

 If it is desired to moisten the grain to facilitate thorough mixing, it will be 

 well to use a thin starch paste (as described below, but without strychnin) be- 

 fore applying the poison. The starch soon hardens, and fermentation is uot 

 likely to follow. 



If crushed oats or wheat can not be obtained, whole oats may be 

 used, but they should be of good quality. As mice hull the oats be- 

 fore eating them, it is desirable to have the poison penetrate the ker- 

 nels. A very thin starch paste is recommended as a medium for 

 applying poison to the grain. Prepare as follows : 



Wet-grain formula. — Dissolve 1 ounce of strychnin (sulphate) in 2 quarts 

 of boiling water. Dissolve 2 tablespoonfuls of laundry starch in ^ pint of cold 



water. Add the starch 

 to the strychnin solution 

 and boil for a few min- 

 utes until the starch is 

 clear. Pour the hot 

 starch over 1 bushel of 

 oats in a metal tub and 

 stir thoroughly. Let the 

 grain stand overnight to 

 absorb the poison. 



The poisoned grain 

 prepared by either of 

 the above formulas is 

 to be distributed over 

 the infested area, not 

 B58M ' more than ateaspoon- 



FiG. 2. — Meadow mouse caught in guillotine trap. ful at a place, Care 



being taken to put it 



in mouse runs and at the entrances to burrows. To avoid destroying 

 birds it should whenever possible be placed under such shelters as 

 piles of weeds, straw, brush, or other litter, or under boards. Small 

 drain tiles inches in diameter have sometimes been used to ad- 

 vantage to hold poisoned grain, and old tin cans with the edges 

 bent nearly together will serve the same purpose. 



Chopped alfalfa hay poisoned with strychnin was successfully 

 used to destroy meadow mice in Nevada during the serious outbreak 

 of the animals in 1907-8 : 



Alfalfa formula. — One ounce of strychnin (sulphate) dissolved in 2 gallons 

 of hot water was found sufficient to poison 30 pounds of chopped alfalfa pre- 

 viously moistened with water. 



This bait, distributed in small quantities at a place, was very 

 effective against the mice and did not endanger birds. 



