CARBON BISULPHIDE, FOR RABBIT FUMIGATION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1925, Page 4

CARBON BISULPHIDE, FOR RABBIT FUMIGATION

(Live-stock Division, Journal of Agriculture). Where rabbits are 1 ivinrr in burrows on fairly open country, fumigation of the burrows with carbon bisulphide is easily the most effective method of destroying them. Following are directions for the use of this material, and other relevant hints:— Procure a deep tin or billy, about Gin. in diameter—one fitted with a lid for preference. Cut pieces of old sacking of a size to fit into the tin selected, and, after filling the tin with these, pour in sufficient carbon bisulphide to cover them well. If any considerable time is likely to elapse after the carbon bisulphide is poured into the tin containing the pieces of sacking, the tin should either be covered with a tight lid, or sufficient water added to cover the carbon bisulphide: the water will j float on the latter and prevent evaporation. He careful to locate every exit from the harrow to ho fumigated, and. when this is done, dig each back sufficiently to provide a solid face. Push a piece of tiie sacking saturated with carbon bisulphide well into each burrow with a rod or a piece of wire, then till the openings with plenty of earth. and tread or ram tightly, if it is desired to ignite the gas, proceed as just stated, excepting that one opening should he only lightly covered so that it inav he easily reopened. Allow about lou> minutes for the gas to permeate the burrows after the saturated sacking has been lightly covered, and, alter placing a fresh piece of saturated sacking, ignite the gas with a torch or maten. (Caution: The operator should stain well to one side when igniting the gas). If any of the openings should be uncovered by the explosion the;, should be reclosed as directed abate It is a decided advantage to ignite the gas when dealing with very large burrows, as a much greater volume b thereby produced, and the explosion which results, forces the gases to tin farthest recesses of the burrows: it wil also show any openings that may have been missed. In order to get the maximum results, all the country ill the vicinity ol the burrows which it is intended to fumigate should be thoroughly hunted will dogs In drive rabbits that may be lying out into the burrows before iuniigating. Kxeept in land of very open lextuic such as sandy formation, luniigatioi can lie effectively carried out at an.' time; but the best results are obtained during fairly calm weather, am! when the earth is moist. Ihe most la vourable time is during shower; weather or alter ram. Hurrows in lam of open texture, such a piunieemis 01 sandv formation, should lie fumigate! during showery weather or iiiimedi.itci; alter a fall of rain. Carbon bisulphide evaporates von quickly when exposed to the atmos p-'icre. I n order to guard against this afier opening a container of ‘’n u a tonal pour enough water on lop t< completely cover it. II a cork is us.cf it. should lie sealed with glue, mucilage or glycerine. If water is added to prevent evaporation, care must he taken t' ensure that if is all poured oil' immediately before the carbon bisulphide iagain used, as otherwise tine sacking may be satmateil with water in pla.ei of carbon bisulphide. Carbon bisulphide should lie eard'iillt kept away from (ii