Ground Vermin Use of Poison. 319 



inside, obtain one or two drain pipes just large enough to 

 allow a small vermin gin to work inside them, and having 

 laid them upon the ground, set a trap and push it inside. 

 It is almost a dead certainty that any vermin in the 

 house will try to go through this pipe, with what result we 

 need not point out. The New American Trap may also 

 be employed in the manner described already, as suitable 

 for catching against hedges and walls. 



Weasels, having a propensity for eggs, generally seek 

 about the nests, but are by no means unsusceptible to the 

 lusciousness of a chicken ; an egg or two placed in a nest 

 upon the ground may for this purpose be poisoned by the 

 insertion of a very small quantity of strychnine, but we 

 need scarcely point out the absolute need of extreme care, 

 and would certainly write " poisoned" upon eggs treated 

 in this dangerous manner. 



Cats are particularly addicted to killing chickens, both of 

 fowls and pheasants ; in such case, however, the steps to be 

 taken are obvious enough. Ducklings about the fields or 

 even close to the house are uncommonly exposed to the 

 attacks of stoats, and it is difficult to suggest any remedy, 

 for it is abundantly evident that what will catch the 

 stoat will catch the ducklings also; hence the best plan is 

 not to allow them too far away from their house. Both 

 the " High Elms " and the " Patent Break-Back " traps may 

 be kept continually at work round poultry sheds and runs, 

 but care should be taken to keep the birds and young chicks 

 and ducklings away from them, otherwise the bait will prove 

 their ruin. 



