CH. I.] '' Bar the Tail" 19 



Then many old rat-catchers never give a 

 ferret a rat with its tail on, as they believe 

 there is poison in it. I remember one old 

 fellow saying to me as he cut off the tail 

 before putting the rat into the ferrets' box, 

 " Bar the tail — I alius bars the tail — there's 

 wenom in the tail." There may be " wenom " 

 in it ; but, if there is, it won't hurt the ferrets, 

 for they never eat it or the skin. 



If ferrets are properly cared for they are 

 rarely ill, and the only trouble I have ever 

 had is with mange, which, as I have said 

 before, attacks the tail and feet. Most rat- 

 catchers keep a bottle of spirits of tar, with 

 which they dress the affected parts. It cures 

 the mange, but, by the way the poor little 

 beasts hop about after being dressed, I fear it 

 stings dreadfully. I have always used sul- 

 phur and lard, and after rubbing it well in a 

 few times I have always found it worked a 

 cure. The objection to sulphur and lard 





