714 



\v;iy; and the trap can generally he used for several 

 siiceessivc nights before llie Hats learn to keep away 

 from it. 



THE BARREL TRAPS. 



Rat traps made out of ordinary water-tight barrels 

 are perhaps the best kind of traps that can be used to 

 destroy these troublesome household pests. They are 

 made as follows: Take a water-tight barrel and pour 

 into it water to the depth of 12 or 15 inches; then take 

 a very thick and strong i>iece of paper, dampen it and 

 stretch it over the top of the barrel, and tie or securely 

 fasten it around the top of the barrel with rope, twine, 

 or annealed wire. The paper Avhen it gets dry be- 

 comes fiat and tightens. Place the barrel in the cel- 

 lar or barn oi- anywhere where the Rats can easily 

 jum[> on it, and put pieces of cheese, meat, cake or 

 any food thej like, provided it has no fluid in it to 

 dampen the paper, and allow the Rats to come and 

 visit it for a week or ten days until they become ac- 

 customed to regularly A'isit the barrel for their meals. 

 Of course, the foo-d materials must be renewed on the 

 l>aper as fast as they are carried off by the vermin. 

 When you are convinced that the Rats are not sus- 

 picious of the affair cut two long slits in the paper so 

 as to divide the cover into four parts then glue the 

 bait — same kinds as were used before paper was cut — 

 to the top of paper so that the Rats can see it as they 

 (lid on uianv previous occasions. Th(\v come feai'- 

 lessly to the bfirrel, jump dosvri and go into- the watei'. 

 hi this way large numV)ei-s arc caught. The ]»a]i(M- 

 will spriiiji back to its jdace wlien the Rats ])ass 

 through it. Sometimes tliin steel springs aie ar- 

 laclied to sides of linrrel and extend to point where 

 slits in paper cross; this is to make it certain that 



