290 Practical Game Preserving. 



from the square of grass until this is as thin as it may 

 be without causing the slice to fall to pieces. Then, 

 whilst carefully sustaining the plate, with a knife, or by 

 other suitable and safe means, place the square of grass 

 neatly on the plate of the gin. It should be of such a 

 size as to just fit within the square of the jaws ; then, by 

 pressing the grass upon the other side towards the inner 

 one all round the trap, the necessary covering is com- 

 pleted, and the twig used to support the plate may be 

 drawn away, and the " tilling " is- accomplished. This 

 mode is, however, a more risky one as far as care for 

 the fingers is concerned, as the trap must be most carefully 

 set. 



The position of the bait is also an important matter, 

 and whenever it is placed upon the surface of the ground 

 it should be securely pegged down, so that the vermin 

 attracted to it may endeavour to obtain it by pulling first 

 one side and then another, so as to bring it into the trap, 

 which it would .not do were the bait unsecured. Some- 

 times it is advisable to suspend the lure on a tree, and in 

 these instances its height from the ground should be just 

 sufficient to prevent any varmint from attaining it except 

 by standing where the gin is concealed. 



All the methods above described for capturing vermin 

 comprise those suitable either for the stoat, weasel, or 

 polecat, and according to the locality, appearances, and 

 general surroundings, it may be judged which animal is 

 more likely to be captured. 



Weasels, however, will most probably be caught when 

 the bait consists of eggs, but an occasional stoat may fall 



