404 THE GAME PRESERVER'S GUIDE. 



placed out of reach of game, whereas they cannot. I shall 

 therefore chiefly allude to these two, commencing with 



The gin or steel trap, which is made of various dimensions, 

 according to the kind of vermin for which it is intended. 

 Three sizes, however, will suffice for most purposes, the 

 smallest one being four inches from jaw to jaw when set, the 

 second six, and the larger one seven or eight the latter 

 being big enough to hold any kind of vermin in the list 

 already given. These traps should be obtained from a good 

 maker, and not from any chance ironmonger, who sells the 

 cheapest he can purchase in Birmingham. The springs 

 should be carefully tempered, and neither too strong to allow 

 of the trap being set " ticklish," or so weak as to admit of 

 the escape of the animal whose leg is caught. They are 

 made with plain jaws, as well as with teeth, the former being 

 preferred by some keepers, but requiring very strong springs, 

 Ihey are not so readily set with proper delicacy. My own 

 experience is in favour of short teeth. Gins may be set on 

 the ground, or on posts or high stones. In the former case 

 they must be entirely concealed ; and in doing this artistically 

 the good keeper may be known from the ignorant pretender. 

 The plan is as follows : First, lay the trap on the ground, 

 then mark the outline of it, allowing half an inch clear all 

 round ; cut away the turf to this pattern, and in the centre 

 dig a hole deep enough to receive a strong peg and the chain 

 which fastens the trap to it, which will thus be entirely 

 concealed ; drive in the peg, arrange the chain neatly upon 

 this, and in the channel for the spring ; and then set the 

 trap in its place, temporarily propping up the plate by a 

 piece of twig, which can finally be withdrawn by a string ; 

 take care so to cut away the turf that the jaws are only just 

 below the level of the ground. Having done this, cut a 

 very thin slice of the turf which was removed to make way 

 for the trap, leaving little more than the grass itself, with a 

 ragged edge, and lay this gently on the plate, and withdraw 

 the prop ; then cover the spring in the same way ; and 

 lastly, put some more shreds of grass or leaves over the jaws 

 themselves, but in such a way that the former will not be 

 caught between the teeth when the trap is sprung. When 

 the keeper can do all this so neatly that the trap cannot be 



