FOR TAKING FOXES. 129 



about six o'clock in the evening ; or it may be done in 

 the night. When you miss the baits, look for the 

 prints; if you perceive the ball of a fox, plant two traps, 

 heads outwards, about six inches apart; cover them very 

 carefully. The bridge of a trap should bear a pound 

 weight, i. e.y a pound weight should just spring it before 

 it is covered ; this will allow a good depth of earth to 

 cover it. Never touch the earth with your hands till 

 'you have rubbed them with the baits, and take away the 

 the pieces so used. Lay the baits as before, some in the 

 centre, and two or three at the edge of the jaws of the 

 trap : this will bring his pad on to the bridge. Never 

 lay any baits on the bridge, as his motion is too quick to 

 be caught by the muzzle. 



If, on your shrape, you should discover the prints of 

 a house-cat, marten-cat, pole-cat, or stoat, place a jay in 

 the centre, fasten it down, and lay your other baits as 

 before ; or part of a rabbit, cut open. Lighter traps 

 will do for these, when there is no probability of a fox 

 coming. When you plant for the marten separately, 

 pour a few drops of the tincture of valerian upon the 

 moulds which lie on the trap, and let the bait be a jay 

 or pigeon fastened behind it. 



To trap a fox in a field, plant three traps in a triangle, 

 heads outwards, by the side of a field ; two in the fur- 

 row where you have balled him ; he is sure to return 

 the third night, if not sooner. Cut a hare or rabbit 

 open, and stake it down in the centre ; then begin to 

 draw the bait about two yards from it on one side. Take 



K 



