Ch. XLIV.] ON ANIMALS. 551 



which, if secured in the manner already stated in treatinsf on that subject, 

 will prevent them from obtaining a permanent harbour in the building*. 

 The next is, before the entire clearance of the barn, while yet a little corn re- 

 mains to prevent them from quitting it, to close every part of the barn, by 

 carefully covering any holes there may be with sacks and tarpaulins, so as to 

 prevent all access of the. outward air, leaving only the door for a few minutes 

 open while the process is going on. 



This done, some common iron chaffing-dishes, which may be purchased for 

 a trifle, should be placed upon the floor and in the bays; or, if they cannot 

 be had, build up a few bricks, clay, or any rubbish that will secure a fire 

 from spreading, leaving a cavity in the centre and filling it up with char 

 coal. Then light the charcoal from the bottom, and, when the heaps are 

 all burning, quickly strew a good quantity of broken brimstone upon the 

 top ; retire immediately, shut the door fast, and leave the building entirely 

 closed during a couple of days following. On opening it, the greater part 

 of the rats and mice will be found dead around the charcoal ; and although 

 some may have been suffocated within their holes, and, if not discovered, 

 will occasion an unpleasant smell until their remains are dried up, it yet will 

 not last long. The operation should be again repeated just previous to har- 

 vest ; and if any opening be found into the barns while they are full, by 

 the burrowing of the rats, brimstone matches should be inserted into them 

 before they are stopped up. 



Traps and poison are only partially efficient; for, independently of the 

 objection which many persons entertain to the use of poison, in consequence 

 of the numerous fatal accidents occasioned by it, the rats are so wary that 

 they scent the persons employed in catching them ; and, as they become 

 acquainted with the traps, they shun them. The only eff'ectual instance 

 which we have heard of their complete destruction by trapping, is the mode 

 detailed in a small pamphlet published some years ago by Mr. Benjamin 

 Broad, of Thruxton, under the sanction of the Herefordshire Agricultural 

 Society, which ought to be in the hands of every farmer in the kingdom. 

 His plan, indeed, appears to have been in every case successful ; and, 

 having been employed by the Lords of the Admiralty, he completely 

 cleared some ships of the line in which the process of professed rat-catchers 

 had failed. 



The leading ground-work of the plan is, that the operator, whenever he 

 touches the traps, must overcome the natural odour of his body by rubbing 

 his hands with the bait he employs ; for the sagacity of the animal is so 

 acute, and its sense of smelling so perfect, that any taint excites suspicion, 

 and prevents them from indulging their natural. appetite. The author has 

 it seems ascertained that good pale malt, mixed with a very small quantity 

 of the oil of carraways, is the most inviting bait that can be used f ; though, 

 previously, we have always heard that oil of rhodium was the most attrac- 

 tive. His traps are not very peculiar ; but the whole detail of the operation, 

 which is too long for insertion here, will amply repay the curiosity of the 

 reader, even should he have no occasion to put it into effect. 



The ferret is a decided enemy to the rat, and if kept in a cage, and only 



* See vol. i., chap, v., on Farm-buildings, pp. 88 and 89. 



f " In preparing and setting the traps, take up successive portions of the malt in 

 each hand, and subsequently with both hands, rubbing it between them, that every part 

 of it may be equally scented. Much accuracy is here necessary ; for if the quantity of 

 the oil of carraways be too great, the rats will not touch the malt till the scent is partly 

 gone off. The proportion of the oil of carraways to the malt appears to be about one to 

 nine thousand." • ■ 



