WITH REFERENCE TO HORTICULTURE. 



71 



Ferts (Wild Beasts). The badger (Meles, Cuv.) burrows in the 

 ground and conies abroad in the night to feed, devouring indiscrimi- 

 nately animal and vegetable substances. The marten (Mustela Foina, 

 L.) inhabits the vicinity of houses, and preys on poultry, game, rats, 

 moles, &c. It breeds in hollow trees. The polecat (M. putorius, L.) 

 is a common inhabitant of woods and plantations in all parts of the 

 country, and preys on guine, poultry, eggs, and all the smaller 

 quadrupeds, amphibiae, snails, slugs, and worms. The ferret (M. 

 Furo, L.), considered by some as the polecat in a domesticated state, is 

 employed to destroy rabbits and rats. The weasel (M. vulgaris, Gmel.) 

 is common in the vicinity of barns and outhouses. It devours young 

 birds, rats, mice, moles, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, snails, slugs, &c. 

 Mr. Waterton, after recommending this animal to farmers, says : " But 

 of all people in the land, our gardeners have most reason to protect 

 the weasel. They have not one single word of complaint against it 

 not even for disturbing the soil of the flower-beds. Having no game 

 to encourage, nor fowls to fatten, they may safely say to it, l Come 

 hither, little benefactor, and take up thy abode amongst us. We will 

 give shelter to thy young ones, and protection to thyself, and we shall 

 be always glad to see thee.' And fortunate, indeed, are those horticul- 

 tural enclosures which can boast the presence of a weasel ; for neither 

 mouse, nor rat, nor mole, can carry on their usual depredations 

 whilst the weasel stands sentinel over the garden. Ordinary, and of 

 little cost, is the accommodation required for it. A cart-load of rough 

 stones, or of damaged bricks, heaped up in some sequestered corner, 

 free from dogs, will be all that it wants for safe retreat and a pleasant 

 dwelling. Although the weasel generally hunts for food during the 

 night, still it is by no means indolent in the daytime, if not harassed 

 by dogs or terrified with the report of guns." (' Essays,' &c., p. 302.) 

 The fox and the wild cat prey on birds and small quadrupeds. The 

 domestic cat is too well known and too useful where rats, mice, or 

 birds are to be deterred or destroyed, to require furtner notice. The 

 mole (Talpa europaea, L.) burrows beneath the surface, but never to a 

 great depth, throwing up hillocks at intervals. It feeds on worms and 

 the larvae of insects, and, according to some, on roots. It breeds twice a 

 year, in spring and autumn ; and as it carries on its operations chiefly 

 in the night-time, the runs and -p. g 



hills may be watched early in the 

 morning, and the animals dug out 

 wherever they give signs of move- 

 ment. They may also be taken by 

 traps, of which there are several 

 kinds. They may also be caught 

 by sinking in their runs narrow- 

 mouthed vessels of water, into which 

 the animals will descend to drink 



without being able to get out again ; ^ verted fiower . pot for C(Uching mice . 

 or these vessels may have false 

 covers similar to those set in the runs of rats. The shrew (Sorex, L, 



