4:SQ JOUENAL OP THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



"Strychnine was not used; it is known to be thoroughly effec- 

 tive, but it is too dangerous for general use. Phosphorus and 

 arsenic, although effective are also very dangerous, and were found in 

 practice less successful than the harmless squills and barium 

 carbonate. Plaster of paris, magnesium sulphate, and croton were 

 taken, even when thoroughly disguised, only when no other food was 

 available, and therefore were inefficient as raticides. As to viruses, 

 there was no doubt that these were sometimes successful, but a large 

 body of evidence showed that their action was extremely unreliable, 

 and that rat populations could acquire toleration of them. The 

 gassing method kills not only adult rats, but the newly born in their 

 nests. 



" Very many different kind of traps, some of them of remarkable 

 ingenuity were tested. Some, including those most commonly sold, 

 were useless; others had occasional successes. The most successful 

 type was that known as the ' Brailsford,' a long narrow wire cage, 

 open at each end, but with a central platform with a bait acting on 

 a spring, which closed both doors.- The suspicions of the rats were 

 not awakened if apparently there was a clear way." 



Scilla maritiina (continues the article) has not, so far as the 

 writer is aware, been generally recognized as a rat poison, but as 

 the method which gave Mr. Boulenger the " most satisfactory 

 results," it will doubtless at once gain attention. Barium carbonate 

 has long been employed in the United States, and has been regarded 

 favourably. ... In the Punjab, a satisfactory mixture of fish paste 

 and a phosphorus compound is made locally under official auspices, 

 and is reputed to yield good results. In experiments conducted with 

 various recognized poisons for rats in the Ma.dras Presidency in 

 1905, it was found that Danysz virus, even after careful culture, 

 proved untrustworthy, and that the " common-sense rat extermi- 

 nator," a phosphorus preparation of Canadian origin, gave the most 

 satisfactory effects. ... In the matter of avoidance of the rat's 

 objection to human-handled baits, it is requisite that the bread or 

 bananas used be manipulated by means of knife and fork, instead 

 of direct handling ; whilst traps may be made less obnoxious by the 

 attempt to get rid of the human odour by dipping them into boiling 

 water. According to some rat catchers in England, a trace of 

 aniseed as a scent on traps is effective ; but of this the writer has no 

 knowledge in practice. 



Marketing of Meat: Facilities for Farmers. 



The following particulars of the facilities provided at Johannes- 

 burg and Pretoria for the sale, under municipal control, of live stock 

 are published for general information : — 



At Johannesburg. 



Live stock for sale may be consigned direct to the Director, Live 

 Stock Market, Johannesburg, and will be sold by public auction to 

 the highest bidder. 



The railway consignment note may be marked " To Pay," and 

 the amount of railage will be deducted from proceeds of sale. 



