10 
TllK ('AMF(^HNIA (JKorN'D S()riKRKL. 
huzzanls gatlieretl and gorged lliemselves on tlie dead s(juirrels, not 
one of wliicli was left by the following night. The buzzards were not 
injured. 
An equally striking ease is that of the poisoning of a 25-acre tract 
in the Cleveland National Forest, just south of San Gorgonio Pass, 
with 40 })ounds of starch-strychnine coated barley. A few hours 
afterwards 240 dead squirrels were counted. 
It should be remembered that in these and all cases of strychnine 
poisoning the animals that die outside are only a part of those killed, 
for a much greater number die in their burrows and are never seen. 
PREPARING THE POISOX. 
Following is the formula perfected and recommended by the 
Biological Survey: 
Starch-strychnine formula for coating grain. 
Barley, clean grain, free from other seeds 20 quarts 
Strychnia sulphate (ground or powdered i 1 ounce 
Saccharine 1 teaspoonful 
Gloss starch (ordinary laundry starch ) \ teacupful 
Water 1^ pints 
Dissolve the starch in a little cold water and add H pints of boiling 
water, making a rather thick solution. While hot, stir in the str^'ch- 
nine and mix until free from lumps; then add the saccharine and 
beat thoroughly. Xow pour the poisoned starch over the barley and 
stir rapidly until the poison is evenly distributed : then allow the grain 
to dry. When dry it ^\'ill keep indefinitely \\'ithout deterioration. 
For ordinary quantities a galvanized-u'on washtub is an excellent 
receptacle in wliich to mix the grain with the poisoned starch: but 
when large quantities are needed the mixing may be done in a water 
trough with a shovel and hoe. 
PUTTIXG OUT THE POISOX. 
The poisoned grain should be scattered (not placed in heaps) on 
clean hard places about the colonies — on the squirrel trails between 
the holes, along fences and roadsides, and in other places frequented 
by the squirrels. Poisoned grain falling in soft dust or in foxtail 
grass or other dense cover is wasted. 
THE BEST TIME TO POISOX GROUXD SQUIRRELS. 
A weighty factor in determining the success or failure of poisoning 
operations is the time of year at which the work is done. The best 
season for poisoning is the dry season. This varies in duration from 
year to year, but on the average begins in April and continues until 
the middle or end of October 
