Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1914-02-05
Poisoning Jack Rabbits.

serious damage by jack rabbits thi.
past fall and winter. Entire orchard.
Of young trees, alfalfa and grair
fields have been completely devas
tated and it is high time drastic
measures be taken to reduce this
loss.
Innoculation, with infectious dis
eases, trapping, driving, shooting and
numerous other methods of destruc-
ton have been employed without
marked success. The elimination OF
these leaves but n measure appli-
cable for the determination of the
rabbits.
Poisoning Is the most generally
effectual and economical lean OF
controlling these pests at present
known. One of the most serious OBJ
sticles to successful poisoning en-
countered in a campaign against rab-
bits is the difficulty of securing the
cooperation of all. The lands of
those individuals who do not take
part in the work serve as a breeding
ground from which the surrounding
areas are constantly ~re-stocked. Ev-
cry effort should be made to secure
the support and cooperation of the
entire community and a systematic
y, o.fo-A could thAn hn crannSSfnl1N
waged against these rodents. 1t has
been the plan in the other sections
of the state where effectual poison
ing is now in progress, to organize
local poisoning associations, elect n
man to have charge of the mixing
and distribution of the poison, thus
eliminating the danger of having
poisoned utensils and equipment
about every ranch. These division
superintendent are then personally
instructed in the scientific prepare
ton of the poison according to form
ula and can take charge of the work
dividing their locality into such d.
visions as will facilitate operations.
This is important, for poisoning
methods, to be successful, must be
carefully worked out with reference
to the food habits of the rabbits,
their movements, weather conditions
and localities. For example, in q
spell of raining or warm weather
poisoning operations should cease,
as poison exposed at such time would
be wasted. Ideal conditions are cold
weather and plenty of snow. Such
information has been obtained in
the course of the past years and will
be given to the men in charge.
All the poisons that it would be
practicable to use have been tried
out to a definite conclusion and with
the exception of strychnine as a poi
son and oats as a medium, all have
been eliminated, because of various
faults.
This oat poison has the additional
advantage of not being harmful to
beneficial birds. Gre must be taken
however, to procure oats that are
free Of wheat and weed seed. By
putting 1t out in tablespoonfuls, the
danger to live stock is reduced to a
minimum. 1t should not be put out
in heaps, however, where stock have
access to 1t when confined, but on
the range 1t is safe to put it out in
tablespoonful doses which are
slightly scattered. By putting out
about alfalfa stacks, or at previously
bated spots where the rabbits are
accustomed to feeding regularly,
much more efficient work will be ac-
complished than when scattered pro-
misculously In the sage brush. All
sacks containing poison, mixing utens
sils and equipment should be plainly
labeled and kept out of reach of
children, live stock and irresponsible
persons:
10 quarts of oats.
l ounce strychnine powder, sui
plate or alkaloid.
2 tablespoonfuls soda.
1 tablespoonful starch.
l pint water.
Dissolve the starch in a little cold
water; add to the pint of hot water
and boil till clear. Then add soda
and strychnine together and beat
thoroughly till all Jumps are broken
and mixture is about the consistency
Of cream. Pour owe oats and mix
thoroughly till every oat is coated.
Let stand five or six hours and then
add a half pint of thin boiled starch
solution In which one-eighth ounce
of saccharine has been stirred. Stir
well then add four quarts clean dry
oats and mix again. R. A. Ward.
U. s. Biological Survey, Department
of A~cricu1turo