WINTER PROTECTION AND MULCHING : Page 222

Mice often injure plants, and where this occurs mulching shouldbe delayed until cooler weather, when the rodents will have nestedelsewhere. Poisoning may be resorted to by placing poisoned wheatin drain tiles among the mulch. Mice and rabbits will gnaw certainshrubs and fruit trees, such as quinces, spireas, forsythias, etc. Suchplants should be protected, especially the first year, by tar paper orburlap if mice are present. Wrapping should begin slightly belowthe surface of the ground at the base of the tree, and extend to aheight of two feet. The author is advised on good authority thatwhere there is excessive danger that the base of certain shrubs andfruit trees will be gnawed by mice and rabbits, an excellent method ofprotection is that of mulching these hedges with coal ashes to a depthof three to four inches around the immediate base of the plant. Thegritty condition of this material is evidently objectionable to rabbitsand mice and its use has saved a number of valuable hedge plants.