RABBIT POISONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 6

RABBIT POISONS.

(By Angus M'NAughton, in the Melbourne Weekly Times.) Every year at the approach of summer there are numerous inquiries from landholders as to the best, simplest, and cheapest method of preparing the various poisoning, specifics for rabbits. Every year about this time landhoHera rmke preparations for a war against the lodmts, and ail possible means for their annihilation are brought to bear. Every year, however, notwithstanding the war that was waged during summer, the prolific little rabbifc multiplies so rapidly during the winter and spring* that their numbers are as large as ever when fuoima 1 again approaches. How to annihilate the rabbits is a problem that has been occupying the attention of landholders for a long time, but, so far, a solution of the dfficulty has not been unearthed. Poisoning, (rappieg, digging out burrows, wire netbiDg, and bonuses for scalps and skins have all been tried, but the combined effect has only resulted in the bunny being kept within reasonable limits. The past winter being a mild ono the rabbits have multiplied much faster thau usual, hence in all the infested district? of the colony serious consequences are threatened unless prompt measures, be taken for coping with tbe pest. Whab is required is' that the united and simultaneous action generally- taken in suoamer be rigorously followedi.thronghout the year. It is a great mistakes to always be ceasing operations against the pest ju»t at the time when extermination is, so to speak, within measurable disttnea. For about three months out of the 12 active measures are invariably taken, to suppress the nuisance, but with few exceptions the rodents are le r t practically unmolested for the remaining nine months. Regarding the preparation of the various specifics for the destruction of rabbits, opinions differ as to the advantage of each landholder ,preparipg his own mixture, or a number of farmers combining for that purpose, and having the poisoned grain, &c, prepared at a central depot. The latter method will always be found the cheaper, more reliable, and less risky. Circumstances, however, in many ca^as influence even the' best methods. That being so, landholders will adopt methods to suit their own circumstances. Here, then, are a few reliabk method? of preparing poisons for rabbits, each of which has been tested and proved thoroughly effective. PHOSPHOniSED GBAIN. Sixty pounds of the best plump oats or wheat, 4gal water, and (four st-cks) phesphoiu3. Weigh out 601b of the best grain procurable, and put them in a revolving machine. Light a fire close fit hand, and put two buckets on the fire, with 2gal of water in each. When the water boils put £lb (four sticks) of phosphorus into one of the buckets and boil slowly for three or four minutes until the phosphorus is well dissolved. Pour this mixture into the machine, and add water out of the other bucket as quickly as pcs-iole. Close the lid, and turn the machine slowly for about 20 minutes. If the machine has not then cooled sufficiently to allow the hand to be placed upon it without burning, pour a bucket of water over it and then turn for a few minutes. The machine should be turned for five minutes four hours after mixing, and al-o again for the same time eight or nine hcurs afterwards. In 24 houi-3 the mixture should be taken out, and spread at ones. Give the machine a few turns just before taking the grain out.

The above streugth of phosphorus gives the best killing results, and does not entail any risk of setting fire to the grass. Using a greater strength of phosphorus defeats the object in view, as it sets up oxidation of the grain, Many failures to kill with phosphorised grain are due to using too much phosphorus. The mixing should not be done in an open boiler, as the phosphorus cannot be incorporated with sufficient quickness and evenness, «&4 the xhosjphorus generally rjafci ta the

bottom. A revolving machine should in all cises be nsed. CITArF AND ATJSENIC. Thirty pounds best green chaff, 21b ai\senic, 31b sugar, and lgal water. Get a large zincliued case, and spread about 101b or 12lb chaff evenly on the bottom of it. Boil the water and mix the sugar in it. Then sprinkle tha water over the ch&ff, and shake in the arsenic in pepper-box fashion, and mix thoroughly. It is only necessary to damp the chaff sufficiently to mtka the areenic adhere to it. This mixture should be spread at once, as rabbits will not eat poisoned food which has changed its natural appearance from fermsuba,tion or auy other cause. PHOSPHORUS AND POLI.ARD. Nire pounds pollard, 4£lb sugar, one ttick and a-half of phosphorus, three quarts and a-half of boiling water. Mtlb the phosphorus in tha water, add the sugar, and, when dissolved, add the pollard gradually, acd mix to a stiff dough. GRAIN WITH ARSENIC. Fifty pounds of any grain of good quality, 21b arsenic, 41b brown sugar, and ligal water. Put the grain iuto a tub or boiler." Boil the water in a bucket, and dissolve tha sugar in same. Pour the mixture over the grain in the boiler and mix, using a shovel fcr tha purpose. Then tilt the arsenic on with a dredger, ol- by such means as will" thoroughly disseminate the arsenic through the mass. Keep stirring with the shovel until the whole is thoroughly mixed. This mixture should be used three or four hours after mixing, aa rabbits will nob eat anything sour or musty. s GRAIN "WITH ARSENIC BOILED IN "WATFR. Fifty pouuds of any grain of good qmiity, 21b aispnic, 41b tugar, 2^gal water, and 31b flour. Pub the grain into a tub or .boiler. Boil tbe water in a bucket, and mix in the sugar and arsenic. Pour the solution over tho grain, and mix well with a shovel. Sift the fkuc over the lot, and stir well with the shovel, taking care to thoroughly incorporate all the ingredleubs. This mixture should be used before it has fermented. JAM AND STRYCHNINE. E'ghb pounds of jam (any kind) and £rz of powdered strychnine. Well mix and lay on a small piece of bark or wood in a ploughed furrow. APPIES AND STRYCHNINE. Twelve pounds appleo, each apple cut into four or six pieces, according to s'ze, and sprinkled with loz of powdered strychnine. Lay in a ploughed furrow 10ft to 20ft apart;. Phosphorised grain has been used for many years, more especi*lly along the coast and south of the Dividing Range. Chaif. and arsenic in the Northern district — both with fair success ; bub poisoning must be followed up by digging up the burrows and dtsbroying all harbour and caver, such as log, brush, and stone fence*, dead timber, &c. In fact, it has been found by holders of large estates tbat this is the only effectual means of getting rid of the pesb. Bisulphate of carbon is extensively used, and is, no doubt, very effectual. If a large deep burrow be operated upoa with carbon, every ho!o should be charged. A small bed o( cotton wssle ia generally used, saturated with carbon, and put into each hole as far as possible in the burrow, the opening to which is then closed and rammed. It is more effectual in summer than in winter, and in hard dry ground than in porous, sandy soil. Seventy rabbits have been taken out of the burrow, all desd, charged with carbon iv this way. Carbon is very deadly in its effects, especially to rabbits. In using and storing ib, avoid all exposure to heat*, allow no smokirg or matches in the vicinity, and take care when using it not to inhale more than can be helped, as though not easily fatal to man, it nevertheless depresses the vital powers.