136 THE RAT 



The SNARE-SPRING TRAP (Fig. 85, G) consists of a peg (r), a piece 

 of straight stick (s) about 4 in. long, with one end chisel-pointed 

 and a slit in the other end, a piece of whipcord (/), fine brass wire 

 noose (u), and a rod about 4 ft. long. The noose wire is secured 

 to the whipcord, this to the chisel pointed stick about an inch from 

 the end as shown, and the other end of the string made fast to the 

 small end of the rod. To set the trap : drive the peg into the 

 ground about 7 in. from the rat's run (w) and to within an inch 

 of the notch (x), then thrust the rod into the ground about 2j ft. 

 from it and on the same side as the peg, then bend down the rod 

 and place the chisel-pointed stick under the hook (y), fixing iii the 

 notch. Put the wire in the slit and adjust the noose in the exact 

 centre of the run, i in. from the ground. A rat or other animal 

 pushing its head through the noose displaces the chisel -pointed 

 stick and the rod springs up, suspending the victim. 



The BARREL TRAP (Fig. 85 H) consists of an ordinary cask with 

 one end out, and a lid with four falls (z). The falls are not less than 

 6 in. long and 3 in. wide, each working on two pivots (b), and 

 this end of the fall weighted with lead (c) so as to recover its posi- 

 tion. Outdoors, sink the barrel in the ground, indoors, place on 

 the floor and set a bundle of straw against the barrel in a slanting 

 direction, covering with an old sack so as to facilitate access to the 

 lid. Place the cover on the barrel, securing the falls by means of 

 a button under each (d). Affix a couple of strong red herrings on 

 the centre of the lid (a), and scatter some oatmeal flavoured with 



011 of aniseed about the bait. Entice the rats in that way for a 

 few nights, not being sparing of bait. After the rats take the bait 

 freely and become accustomed to the lid, place in the barrel 9 to 



12 in. of water (/ /), turn each button (e) from under the falls, 

 affix the lid by a few nails, bait as before, and the vermin setting 

 foot on the falls drop into the barrel. Remove the drowned rats 

 daily, and after coating with quicklime bury them in the manure 

 heap. 



The AMERICAN PERMANENT RAT TRAP (Fig. 86, /) comprises a 

 long, narrow box (g), 3 or 4 ft. long, and 7 or 8 in. wide and 

 deep. This is set upon another box about 30 in. high, with 

 sloping sides (h), so that the first box (g) forms the top part of the 

 second box (h) ; the first box is open at the top for about a foot at 

 the rear end, and this open part is partly filled with corn or corn-ears. 

 Immediately in front of this part there is a loose bottom neatly 

 fitted upon pins, so that it will open downwards with the weight 

 of a rat. A piece of lead is fastened to it to keep it in position, or 

 restore it to its place after it has been disturbed. The front of the 

 box is partly hidden with a couple of sheaves of corn-stalks or rye- 

 straw, which form a ready means of access for the rats. At the 

 bottom of the second box there is a narrow box or tube (i) fitted, 

 which leads through the building into a barrel (k) half sunk into 



