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succeeds in riding himself of skunks in the following manner, which certainly 

 is a simple mode. He says : " I take an old barrel (see figure 4,) and place 

 it on a stick of wood about seven inches high, as shown in the sketch. 

 When the skunk goes for his bait, which is in the bottom of the barrel, as 

 soon as he passes the center the barrel turns up with the skunk, woodchuck 

 or other animal caged in the latter, without making any scent. I then take 

 Mr. Skunk by the tail, and carry him where I please. Care must be taken 

 not to place the barrel too high, as it might throw over and not remain up- 

 right. The more skunks you catch in the same barrel, the better the trap." 



" The trap (see figure 5) consists of an oblong box, the end of which draws 

 out, and is provided with a looking-glass in the internal side, which attracts 

 the vermin on looking in. The entrance of the trap is formed of two spring 

 doors made.of wire, which allow the vermin to enter with the least pressure. 

 These doors have sharp points where they meet, which, although not felt by 

 the vermin on entering, will prevent it from withdrawing after having once 

 introduced its head. Near to the looking-glass a bait is suspended, and a 

 cage is also fixed with a chicken to serve as a decoy. These traps are self- 

 setting, simple, inexpensive, fit for all sizes of vermin, and safe for the house, 

 farm-yard, or game preserve." 



H. MILES' VERMIN TRAP. 



Mr. MILES says, the best trap for farmers to catch rats, mink, weasels and 

 skunks ever set is : " Take boards half an inch thick, and make a box 

 the two sides and top twelve inches long, with one end closed ; the size of 

 the box inside being four inches square. I give you a rough sketch of the 



FIG. 6. THE TRAP SET. Fia. 7. THE TKAP SPRUNG. 



trap as set. A steel spring is fastened on the closed end of the box, to which 

 is fastened a square ring at its extremity, through which the game thrusts its 

 head to reach the bait at one end of a catch, which holds the ring depressed, 

 and held by a wire running from the front end of the trap to the catch on 

 the upper extremity of the bait hook. This is the best trap for skunks in 

 the world, I believe. I have used many different kinds, but none works so 

 well as this. You can set it at a hole in a wall or fence. It is sure fire." 



