620 



THE BOOK OF POULTRY. 



tight, and pour down that some bisulphide of 

 carbon, then stopping that also ; the vapour 

 asphyxiates them, but is explosive with a naked 

 h'ght. We do not like poisoned food in any case, 

 owing to the suffering involved ; but if it is used, 

 the best is probably quite dry plaster of Paris. 

 Some oatmeal should be put about, in small 

 quantity at first, till the rats have found it, and 

 eat more and more, noticing what quantity they 

 do eat, and only giving that. Then put same 

 quantity made up of half plaster, first dried on a 

 red-hot shovel over the fire. A dish of water 

 should be placed on the ground not very far off. 

 The plaster will cause inflammation and thirst, 

 and the water they will hasten to drink kills them 

 almost immediately, more quickly, at least, than 

 any other poisonous proceeding. The fowls 

 must be carefully kept away from it. (3) Traps. 

 The trap in two compartments known to iron- 

 mongers as the "Wonder" trap, is the best, if 

 used with patience. It should be fastened open 

 for a week or two, with plenty of bait. It is 

 a mistake and cause of failure to try to catch the 

 first one or two, which would be decoys to tempt 

 others in ; they should be allowed to run through 

 a week or two. Then, when a good catch is 

 made, they should be allowed impunity again for 

 a bit. A herring's head, or meat, or cheese will 

 do for bait, especially if scented with oil of 

 rhodium. Some toast stale bread and soak with 

 ale, putting some round the entrance, with the 



idea that when intoxicated the rats lose their 

 cunning; at all events, this also appears to 

 answer very well, but the main thing is to let the 

 rats have a safe run through for a while every 

 now and then. Another good and most simple 

 trap for mice as well as rats is a smooth, round, 

 iron cask or bin, not less than two feet deep, with 

 some corn and meal and a little cheese in the 

 bottom, and something outside by which they 

 can climb up. They will get in, but cannot 

 get out, and may sometimes be found a dozen at 

 a time. 



Weasels and Stoats. — These are troublesome 

 in some country districts. They are not disposed 

 to enter traps much, but are not really suspicious, 

 and can generally be trapped by hanging a dead 

 chicken or other bait from a hedge, about 

 eighteen inches from the ground, so that the 

 animal has to jump to reach it, and placing a 

 catch-trap underneath. The trap need not be 

 concealed in any way. 



Thieves. — The best security against these 

 at night will be found in savage watch-dogs, 

 properly "wired." Stout galvanised wire is 

 fastened, where required, in fifty-yard lengths ; to 

 which a dog is tethered, so that the ring of the 

 chain slides along the wire. One dog thus 

 effectually commands a good range. Electric 

 alarms vhich give warning when a door is opened 

 at night, are easily arranged by any good electric 

 bell fitter. 



^-^^W3^. J^^-^^^.^t' fl >^ 



v^^'" 



