Ground Vermin Poisoning Rats. 409 



are concerned, is of a strongly emetic character. When 

 employed for killing rats in corn ricks, this exterminator 

 should be placed as it is in the box in the holes of the 

 thatch. It may be as well to remark that a preparation 

 is made for mice which is equally efficacious. 



For ordinary poisoning purposes, to be set down about 

 barns, granaries, and other outbuildings, and corn ricks, a 

 very good mixture can be made by taking roz. of nux vomica, 

 to which add 3oz. of common treacle, then mix them well 

 together, the former having been first finely powdered. Drop 

 in some few drops of oil of musk or aniseed, or both, put 

 them with lib. of flour into a mortar, and work the mixture 

 well up, which, satisfactorily effected, cut up 4oz. of not too 

 stale crumb of bread to squares of about Jin., and carefully 

 work the whole ingredients together. The quantity is suffi- 

 cient to cut short the existence of from thirty to forty rats. 

 In the making, neither the hands nor any article touched 

 by them should be allowed to come in contact with the 

 ingredients. When finally mixed, we should prefer to put 

 the preparation in small wooden ointment boxes, which can 

 then be placed in correct position in the haunts of the 

 vermin. 



A poison of similar nature is made by boiling 402. of the 

 nux vomica in three quarts of water until the three become 

 but two, when 2lb. of treacle should be put in, and the whole 

 well stirred. It is, when cool, ready for use, and should be 

 put about granaries and other buildings, on the tops of 

 walls and rafters, and in suitable situations by corn ricks, 

 in small earthenware pans. 



In addition to these two preparations for poisoning rats, 



