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Show New Chemical May Prove LifeSaver For Farmers' Corn New Chemical Method May Be Used In Utah To Keep Pheasants From Eating Newly - Planted Corn Local farmers who heretofore have been bothered bother-ed with the pheasants eating spring planted corn, will Via o-lnrl tn Vnnw that various techninues are beinfr tested by the Utah Fish and Game I department to determine a method of keeping the birds from eating the corn when it is first planted in the spring. Allan Randle, assistant director of game management, said that wardens througout the state would cooperate with farmers in giving them aid and helping them treat the corn before it is planted. Although not tried in Utah, one method which has proved effective on an experimental basis in other states is mixing the seeds with dry lead oxide. The Game Breeder & Sportsman, a sports publication, i has completed a series of experi- ments with lead oxide and reports that it is successful. About two ounces of the dry chemical are mixed with a bushel of seed corn. After germination, when the sprouts are firmly rooted in the ground, the pheasants can't pull them up. Lead oxide may be the answer, since it is non-poisonous, is cheap, and will not clog up the planter. Pandle urges farmers to contact the department if they have had pheasant trouble in the past and a warden will be sent out with a supply of the chemical. |