People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1895 — BULLETIN NO. 17. NOV. 29. [ARTICLE]

BULLETIN NO. 17. NOV. 29.

Young fruit trees are very apt to be injured during the winter by mice and rabbits gnawing the bark. This is especially true if the orchard has been neglected during the summer season. A heavy growth of grass or weeds abbut the trees make excellent nests for mice durirg the winter, and where rubbish heaps have been allowed to accumulate in the orchard, especially if it is near a forest, rabbits will invariably congregate. Under these conditions the young trees will almost certainly suffer from the ravages of one or both of these pests. It is important therefore that this matter be attended to at once. There are various remedies recommended for these evils; the first and most successful of which is clean cultivation. It this has not been followed then remove all loose mulch, dead grass and rubbish of various kinds from the immediate vicinity of the base of the tress. This will destroy the nesting places of mice and will go far towards protecting the trees from injury. Then in addition to the above,, make a smooth, compact mound of earth, a foot high, about the base of the trees, just before the

ground freezes. These two precautions will be all that is necessary to insure protection against mice.

Rabbits are not so liable to injure trees where there are other small plants, such as young grape vines or nursery stock in th 9 immediate vicinity of the orchard, as they seem to delight in cutting off the young tender branches in preference to gnawing the bark of older tress. It is always safe, however, to protect the trees, and a favorite method is to wrap the trunks with closely

woven wire screen, such as is used for screen doors. This may be cut into strips eighteen inches to two feet in length and wide enough to completely encase the body of the tree. These may be tacked on or the edges woven together, and if they do not fit too closely, may be left on for several years. Instead of the wire screen, ordinary roofing tin is sometimes used. Sheating paper is also used with good effect, placed on the tree in a similar manner. If one is located near a slaughter house, a very convenient as well as effectual method is to wash the trunks of the trees with blood or rancid grease. This, however, is liable to be washed off by rains, and would need renewal several times during the winter. These and doubtless other remedies, will prove effectual if properly applied By giving this matter immediate attention, much damage to our young orchards may

be prevented.

JAS. TROOP

Horticulturist.