THE PEST OF EATS 15 



of feedstuffs, malt and the like; while no pest 

 of the sugar-cane is much more to be feared. 



The damage done by rats to fruits and vege- 

 tables while stored in cellars and pits is well 

 known. They attack ripe tomatoes, melons, 

 cantaloupes, squashes, pumpkins, sweet corn, 

 and many other vegetables in the field, and the 

 depredations are often attributed to rabbits. 

 Rats are fond of nearly all small fruits, even 

 climbing grape-vines, blackberry-canes, and 

 currant-bushes to obtain the ripe fruit; and 

 often feed upon ripe apples, pears, cherries, 

 and so forth. 



Bats are recognized pests of the greenhouse 

 and the plant-propagating pit, where they at- 

 tack seeds, bulbs, leaves, stems and flowers. 

 Of flowering bulbs the tulip suffers most and 

 hyacinths also are eaten, while narcissus bulbs 

 are apparently immune to attack. Carnations 

 seem especially liable to destruction. 



Destructiveness to poultry and game. Very 

 serious is the loss due to rats entering badly 

 constructed hen and pigeon houses, probably 

 greater, in Mr. Lantz's opinion, than that in- 



