58 RAT AND MOLE CATCHING. 



and mole-catching are professions by them- 

 selves, which are useful to the community as 

 many of higher reputation. As moles burrow 

 and pass in long subterranean passages, but 

 near the surface, the catcher inserts, in the track- 

 way of the little miner, a spring trap, the catch 

 of which is attached to a strong stick, thrust in 

 the ground, and bent down with force, so as to 

 rise and pull violently a string to which the 

 under-ground snare is attached. The animal in 

 passing, is thus noosed and choked without the 

 possibility of escape. The mole-catcher has 

 two-pence or three-pence a-piece for every 

 mole he destroys. 



Rats and mice are destroyed in various ways, 

 and to a great extent, by dogs, and cats, and 

 owls, which are more useful in a farm -yard, than 

 many persons who are paid in money to do 

 their work. Otherwise they are taken by traps 



