of this manual are referred to it for much more complete information than 

 it is possible to give here. It is a state publication and can be obtained 

 by addressing the State Board of Agriculture at Boston. The following 

 excerpt from Dr. Forbush's brochure briefly summarizes the means of 

 ridding a place of rats: 



"There is no royal, easy and immediate road to rat riddance. 

 It requires continuous mental and physical exertion to banish the 

 rat, but it can be done, and a reasonable expenditure to that end is 

 a wise economy. Extermination is too much to hope for, and ban- 

 ishment from large areas cannot be expected without great co-oper- 

 ative effort, but the individual can clear his premises of rats provided 

 the conditions are first made right. The means for ridding prem- 

 ises of rats may be outlined as follows: 



"(1) Rat eviction: (a) destroying rat habitations and har- 

 boring places; (b) rat-proofing buildings. 



"(2) Rat starvation: (a) disposal of edible garbage and 

 refuse; (b) rat-proofing receptacles for all sorts of edible materials. 



"(3) Rat slaughter: (a) traps; (b) poisons, chemical and 

 biological; (c) shooting, clubbing, drowning, etc.; (d) encourag- 

 ing natural enemies — owls, dogs, ferrets, cats, etc. 



" (4) Rat driving and harrying. 



" (5) Preventing rat multiplication : (a) all the above. 



"Not all of these methods are necessary in every case, but all 

 are useful under certain circumstances. Methods of permanent 

 eviction come first, as it is of little use to extirpate rats and then 

 invite others to come in by continuing favorable conditions, such 

 as a plentiful, accessible supply of food and numerous excellent 

 breeding places." 



RAT STARVATION.— The first step in combatting rats seems to be 

 to make rat-proof the receptacles in which all grain and other food is kept 

 and to do away with woodpiles and other places that furnish a harbor 

 for the rodents. 



TRAPS VERSUS POISON.— Dr. Forbush much prefers traps to 

 poison and clearly shows the very great risks incurred when the latter is 

 resorted to. The Schuyler trap is specially commended. Efi^ective rat 

 traps can be purchased for ten cents each at the 5 and 10 cent stores, though 

 they lack something in durability. Bacon or strong toasted cheese makes 

 good bait. Traps should be scalded and dried. They should be handled 

 with gloves scented with a drop or two of the oils of anise, caraway or 

 rhodium. Handle the gloves themselves as little as possible. The bait is 

 scented with a single drop of anise or caraway oil dropped on a piece of 



