Ground Vermin Figure -of -Four Trap. 299 



lend themselves more easily to manipulation than others. 

 What is gained in thehandiness of the deal is compensated for 

 by the superior quality of the ash. When making a quantity, 

 a plan to be recommended is that twelve of each piece be 

 made at a time, and by forming and cutting the wood into 

 suitable lengths, time may always be gained, not to mention 

 the superiority that will be apparent in the work. 



The pieces, of course, must not be left white, but coloured 

 to be in unison with the surroundings, and for this purpose a 

 good rub over with mud is necessary, besides which a little 

 smearing of rabbit's liver, or other suitable allurementj 

 should be given just before setting the trap. For baiting, 

 a piece of flesh of some sort or other ought to be chosen ; 

 portions of the neck of a chicken, or similar sized bird, are 

 most excellent, and prove at all times a capital lure. 



Referring back to the measurements given, those stated 

 are the ones best suited for stoats and weasels, and do not, we 

 opine, admit of variation for the animals mentioned. But for 

 polecats and martens the height of the upright may be 

 increased, the additional length being added between the 

 foot and the notch, say two inches, but not more. Such 

 variations as exist are similiar to the original make, but 

 improvements give nothing better than the pieces as 

 described. In practice, the trap is not a great favourite of 

 ours, and we rarely use it as a chief trap, but make it a 

 secondary one to be placed out of the usual round. It is 

 inconvenient and difficult to hide, besides which so many 

 animals and birds other than vermin will set it off ; but as a 

 trap to be employed in plantations, and in places where 

 people, not of the same opinion as oneself regarding the 



