Protection for the Crops 



way as for rabbits. This is tied on to a pliable stick, one 

 end of which is stuck firmly in the ground, and the other 

 is attached to a peg in the ground, so that when the rat is 

 caught and commences to struggle it will disengage the 

 stick from its fastening to the peg, and the stick will fly up 

 and have the rat slung up, in such a way as to prevent it 

 from biting the wire to free itself. Rats may often be got 

 out of their holes by ferreting, or by pouring water down. 

 To effectually stop rat holes break up a piece of glass and 

 stuff the hole and its surroundings with it, mixed with earth, 

 clay, or mud. Cats and dogs are, however, the natural 

 enemies of rats and mice, and will seldom flourish well 

 together. Poison is not to be recommended owing to the 

 possibility of accidents. 



Slug's and Snails. 



Common earthworms are not mentioned as pests, for 

 they do little or no damage. A lawn may certainly be 

 rendered unsightly by their castings, but the remedy is 

 merely to run the brush over them. If they become too 

 numerous, the best thing is to water the lawn with weak 

 lime water which will bring most of the worms to the sur- 

 face, so that they may be swept off. In a heavy land it 

 is rather advantageous to have worms, as they assist in 

 draining, and in their own small way in cultivating, the 

 soil. We can certainly afford to leave these harmless 

 beings whilst we prepare the sinews of war for the ruthless 

 and uncompromising attack on slugs and snails. The appe- 

 tite of these pests is enormous, but this is not their worst 

 characteristic. If some enterprising person would train 

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