PREFACE. 7 



ing and drying skins to insure their reach- 

 ing market in such shape as to command the 

 best prices. 



In compliance with the request of many 

 friends, I will give to the public in the fol- 

 lowing pages the results of my experience 

 for many years in these matters in the wild- 

 est parts of the South and West, and will 

 ask especial attention to the most important 

 matter of using the most effective traps. 

 Writers are plenty who can give the name 

 and cut of every trap and deadfall that has 

 been used in the last century, but few have 

 any real knowledge as to which of them will 

 do the surest work. Undoubtedly S. New- 

 house invented the best trap for all kinds of 

 game that has been in use for many years ; 

 but it is far from perfect, and after experienc- 

 ing many difficulties with it for more than 

 eight years I have invented my " Body Trap." 

 This I can demonstrate to be a great im- 

 provement on the Newhouse or any other 



