Ground Vermin Snares for Cats. 315 



certainly not worth running; besides, the expedient never 

 succeeds so extensively as to be much preferable to the 

 more satisfactory mode, that of using traps. 



If cheapness be a consideration where quantity is a 

 necessity, traps for cats may be supplemented by snares, 

 which are, however, not nearly so effectual nor so suited 

 to varied situations. They, however, are by no means to 

 be despised, and, when carefully made and considerately 

 employed, are often of great service in their multiplicity. 

 We will, therefore, devote a few observations to the de- 

 scription of snare necessary. The snare consists of a run- 

 ning noose fastened to a stake, and these latter must be of 

 slightly larger dimensions than those necessary for the ver- 

 min traps. They require to be the same kind of stake, 

 but must be quite i8in. long. Through the top, or un- 

 sharpened end, of each bore a hole about 2in. from the 

 extremity ; this hole should not be more than an eighth of 

 an inch in diameter. The stake, however, should not be 

 pared more than necessary to form a point, so as to avoid 

 showing white wood above the ground. For the noose we 

 employ wire alone, and that size which is used for picture 

 hanging and has about twelve strands in it, but if more 

 can be obtained in a certain thinness of wire it is better 

 to employ it. The wire should be very tough and supple, 

 but only sufficiently so to make it run easily in the noose, 

 and, at the same time, stiff enough to remain in the posi- 

 tion in which it was originally placed, provided, of course, 

 that it be subject only to ordinary conditions. 



To make the noose described, and fit it on the stake, 

 cut the wire in lengths of 2oin. and form at one end of 



