\v;i_v; nnd Ihc trajt i;in jj;i'norally lie used for scvtM'al 

 siicccssivi' iiiyhts hvfovf the Rats k'aiii to kwp away 

 fi'oiu it. 



THE BARREL TRAPS. 



Rat traps made out of ordinary water-tight barrels 

 are perhaps the best kind of traps that can be used to 

 destroy these troublesome household pests. They are 

 made as follows: Take a water-tight barrel and pour 

 into it water to the depth of 12 or 15 inches; then take 

 a very thick and strong piece of paper, dampen it and 

 .stretch it over the top of the barrel, and tie or securely 

 fasten it around the top of the barrel with rope, twine, 

 or annealed wire. The paper when it gets dry be- 

 crimes flat and tightens. Place the barrel in the cel- 

 lar or barn or anywhere where the Rats can easily 

 jump on it, and put pieces of cheese, meat, cake or 

 any food thej like, provided it has no fluid in it to 

 dampen the paper, and allow the Rats to come and 

 visit it for a week or ten days until they become ac- 

 customed to regularly visit the barrel for their meals. 

 Of course, the food materials must be renewed on the 

 paper a.s fast as they are carried off by the vermin. 

 When you are con\inced that the Rats are not su.s- 

 I)ieious, of the affair cut two long slits in the paper so 

 as to divide the cover into four parts then glue the 

 bait — same kinds as were used before paper was cut — 

 !()■ the top of paper so that the Rats can see it as they 

 did on many previ(His occasions. They come fear- 

 lessly to the barrel, jump down and go into the water. 

 Ill this way large numbers are caught. The paper 

 will sj.riug back to its place when the Rats pass 

 through it. Sometimes thin steel springs are ar- 

 taihed to sides of barrel and extend to point where 

 slits in pa]>er cross: this is to make it certain that 



