THE CROW AND ITS RELATION TO MAN. 77 
in a planter. Coal tar is a cheap by-product in the manufacture of 
illuminating gas and may be procured at gas works or paint shops. 
The manufacture of deterrents for use on seed grain has been 
undertaken on a moderate scale in this country, and a few articles 
of this nature also have been imported. Most of these appear to 
contain coal tar or closely related products as a base, while at least 
one of the imported deterrents is a dye. There is no evidence that 
any of these manufactured substances is superior to coal tar when 
the latter is properly applied. 
Some success has been attained with red lead for the same purpose. 
This deterrent has been used in Europe for some time, but in this 
country its use has been confined to recent years. A method of apply- 
ing the red lead with the aid of a glue size has been suggested by a 
Pennsylvania farmer i 1 
One-half pound of glue was dissolved in 1 quart of warm water and when 
dissolved 5 or 6 quarts of warm water was added. Into this, corn, enough to 
be covered by the liquid, was added. The excess of liquid was then drained 
and red lead was added until well colored. 
Though this process has been little used in this country, its success 
in deterring birds in Europe warrants further trial. 
SCATTERING OF GRAIN. 
Many farmers have had considerable success in protecting their 
sprouting crop by spreading broadcast over fields a quantity of grain 
previously softened with water. This the birds take and leave un- 
touched that which has been planted. It has been found that a com- 
paratively small amount sacrificed in this way has often prevented 
loss to the growing crop. 
POISONING. 
Though it would be most difficult to eradicate the crow over any 
considerable area by a campaign of poisoning, due largely to the 
bird's, wariness, this method has been found effective in protecting 
crops. When once a flock of these birds have learned, through the 
loss of one or more of their number, that a certain area has been well 
baited with poisoned food, they are inclined to avoid it for some 
time at least. But as there is always an element of danger connected 
with the distribution of poison in thickly settled regions, its use 
should be limited and judicious. 
Corn is generally employed as a bait in poisoning and it is usually 
prepared by simply steeping in a strong strychnin solution. If the 
poison is made, however, according to the following recipe it will kill 
1 Rural New Yorker, LXI, 2727, p. 345, 1902. 
