284 Practical Game Preserving. 



placed in close proximity to, and at the bottom of the most 

 forward part of either stone or heap of stones. A varmint 

 passing such an eminently suitable place for rubbing itself 

 against is almost sure to get into difficulties with any gin 

 which may be set. If this manner of tilling is relied upon, 

 no bait is required, but if the spot be chosen for and 

 considered a good place at which to use bait, the most 

 suitable of those enumerated may be employed in a trap 

 set accordingly. 



Another suitable position for the gins is along a rabbit 

 run that has been formed parallel to a hedge or bank con- 

 taining rabbit burrowings, and about two or three yards out 

 from it. There the traps may be placed right along the run 

 at irregular intervals of from six to fifteen yards or so, but 

 precaution must be taken to set them, not on the flat patches 

 of the runs, but on that part where a rabbit, should it pass, 

 would not put its feet. This particular must be remembered 

 when placing gins on rabbit runs, for in any place where 

 these animals are at all plentiful they would be continually 

 getting caught; but should the gins be placed as noted above, 

 eight out of every ten rabbits which may pass along the 

 run will do so untouched, and without moving or throwing 

 the gin. This will, however, sometimes occur, for the reason 

 that one must fit the catch of the trap only sufficiently fast 

 to keep it set, as it is not advisable, in fact is not correct, 

 to set vermin traps as tightly as those intended for animals of 

 much larger size, such as rabbits, &c., on account of the very 

 slight pressure the tread of a weasel or stoat bears on the 

 plate of a gin. 



As baits for any traps which may be set against 



