Cultivation of Grafs Land. DejlToying Moles Methods of. 41.9 



mole on changing its abode generally throwing up from four to nine of thefe hills, 

 the paffages communicating with each of them. Thefe few circumftances, con 

 cerning the natural hiftory of the mole, may in feme degree fcrve to direct the 

 operator in the beft and moil ready means of catching, or otherwise deftrcying, 

 fuch animals* 



In order to deftroy thefe animals, it has been recommended to inject the fmokc 

 of burning fulphur and tobacco into their fubterraneous retreats. However, as the 

 earth frequently falls in behind them as they pafs, or becomes accumulated as 

 they perforate the ground, this method of deftroying them can feldom be ef 

 fectual, unlefs theneft of the animal be near the aperture through which it has been 

 fumigated. Water has alfo been advifed to be poured into their holes, which is 

 feldom more efficacious, though it may have had effect in particular cafes. Baited 

 traps have likewife been tried, but with little better fuccefs. 



On the authority of an experienced mole-catcher in Nottinghammire, the follow- 

 ingmethod of deftroying thefe animals is defcribed by Dr. Darwin : cc Moles have 

 cities under ground, which confift of houfes or nefts, where they breed and nurfe 

 their young : communicating with thefe are wider and more frequented ftreetj, 

 made by the perpetual journies of the male and female parents, as well as many 

 other lefs frequented alleys, or by-roads, with many diverging branches, which 

 they daily extend to collect food for themfelvesor their progeny.&quot; They are more 

 active in the vernal months during the pairing feafon ; more numerous burrows 

 are therefore at this time made in the earth for the purpofe of meeting with each 

 other ; and though they are moftly confidered as blind, they appear to have fome per* 

 ception of light even in their fubterraneous habitations, as they begin their work as 

 fcon as it is light, and of courfe before the warmth of the fun can be fuppofed to affect 

 them On thefe principles, this mole-catcher s method confided firft in attending 

 their fituations early, before fun-rife, as at that time he could frequently fee the earth 

 move over them, or the grafs upon it ; and with a fmall fpade cut off their retreat by 

 linking it into the ground behind them, and then digging them out. By laying 

 the ear to newly raifed mole-hills , thenoife of the fcratching was fometimes heard 

 at a diftance, fo as to direct where to find them ; from the folid earth conveying 

 &amp;lt;l ght vibrations of found better and to a greater diftance than the light air. A ter, 

 er dog, after being accuftomed to this bufinefs, was alfo often found of fervice, in 



&quot;ecting, by his nofc, the abode of the mole beneath the foil, mowing it by be- 



ping to fcratch the earth above it. 



it has been obferved that a mole moftly Cf fuckles four^five, and fometimes 



3 Hz 



