THE SLAUGHTER OF VERMIN. 335 



the keeper in not visiting his traps regularly. 

 The gin-trap, therefore, should be set in a box, 

 made especially for it, or in a covered run, so 

 that the larger animals cannot enter, or, at all 

 events, get through it. It should be kept in 

 good working order, the spring up to its 

 tension, and the jaws catching high. By 

 adhering to these rules the cruelty of the traps 

 now used will be reduced to a minimum, as 

 they will catch to kill outright and at once, 

 and not to maim the animal, and cause it to 

 linger for a long time in unendurable agony. 



