AGRICULTURE IN DENMARK 243 



is, however, likely to prove too local and unconcen- 

 trated to produce any great and permanent result, 

 especially as I read in the papers that many members 

 of the district councils denounce it in the same words 

 that some use about the Danish small-holdings, as 

 "all nonsense." 



To be effective the campaign must be national, 

 and this it will never become until the matter is taken 

 up seriously by Government. In the hope that which- 

 ever party is in power in the next Parliament will 

 think the recent enormous increase of rats and sparrows 

 should be dealt with without further delay, I print as 

 an appendix an English translation of the Danish Bill 

 of 1907, which, with a few alterations, has, as I am 

 informed, just been extended until 19 15, also the ac- 

 companying circular addressed to the local authorities 

 (see Appendix C). If any legislation is proposed in 

 Great Britain having for its object the keeping down 

 of rats, these documents may perhaps prove useful. 



Such legislation, in my view, is urgently needed, 

 although personally I am of opinion that if not pre- 

 ceded it should be accompanied by a full investigation 

 by Royal Commission covering the entire ground of 

 the damage done to agriculture and otherwise by such 

 pests as rats, sparrows, house-flies, migratory wood- 

 pigeons, &c, and of the best methods by which these 

 might be mitigated or prevented. 



Perhaps I am justified in making this suggestion, 

 seeing that a few years ago I advocated it publicly, 

 with the result that I brought upon my head a perfect 

 avalanche of attack from so-called " humanitarians." 

 I submit, however, that events have proved me and 

 not the humanitarians to be right. Putting aside the 

 incalculable mischief and loss caused by the indefinite 



