Ground Vermin Setting Traps. 279 



then obtain some nice fine earth devoid of stones, and heap 

 round the sides of the jaws in little ridges, and while care- 

 fully preventing the plate from falling, smooth over the earth 

 with a piece of stick, or more often with a knife. This is 

 the most effective manner of covering which can be recom- 

 mended in this instance. It must always be borne in mind 

 that the trap, to be at all effective, must be quite unobservable 

 by the vermin, and this result must be obtained by copying, 

 as near as possible, the aspect of the spot before it was 

 disturbed. 



There are, of course, many places which are situated 

 very differently from the two kinds described above ; but 

 the most proper means of concealment will suggest them- 

 selves as the cases occur. 



Some, we know, recommend that a square be cut over 

 the stake head when it is driven into the ground, that the 

 chain may be curled up about it so as not to necessitate 

 so much disturbance of the earth. We cannot see any 

 superiority, but rather a disadvantage, in this course. Not 

 only must care be taken in the setting of vermin gins, and, 

 indeed, vermin traps, of all kinds, but, it should be remarked, 

 the less the hands are employed about them, the less likely 

 are the vermin to be scared away by any scent proving man 

 to have been present ; for, as mentioned in a previous 

 chapter, vermin are not so much afraid of the actual presence 

 of man as they are of traces of him. Some recommend 

 the use of gloves ; but, if vermin can detect scent at all, 

 they are as likely to notice that of a glove as of the bare 

 hand. We shall mention presently certain means to counteract 

 the chance of any scent of a person being noticed by vermin, 



T2 



