THE RAT 



137 



the ground outside. A loose trap (/) is also fitted at the end of the 

 tube. The barrel is covered with a wide board (/), with a hole in 

 the centre to admit the light. A few pailsful of water are put into 

 the barrel. At first the loose bottom is pegged fast and the rats, 

 quickly finding out the way to the corn, are allowed to gather there 

 for a week or two, and are fed liberally. When they have taken 

 full possession, the pegs are taken away and the pivots greased, 



FIG. 86. AMERICAN PERMANENT RAT TRAP AND RAT-GUARD. 



/, American permanent rat trap : g, narrow box ; h, sloping box ; i, tube box ; j, loose trap ; k, 

 barrel ; /, lid. K, rat guard : m, fruit-tin bottoms ; n, cord ; o, spikes of seed or ears of grain ; 

 p, hooks. 



and the rats are caught one after the other. As they find their 

 way to the barrel, attracted by the light, which they can see through 

 the tube, they are drowned and their bodies can be scooped out 

 daily. The number caught in this way is astonishing, and for a 

 time afterwards few, if any, rats will be seen about the place. 

 Then the pegs may be replaced, and the rats encouraged to gather 

 again. The contrivance is a permanent one and will pay for the 



