136 THE MOLE. 



inch thick, four inches and a half long, by two and a 

 half wide, and put a small hoop or bow at each end, 

 with just room for the mole to go through; in the 

 centre, at each side, put two small pegs, in order to 

 keep him in the trap ; for sometimes one that is shy, 

 when he finds the peg before him that springs the trap, 

 will turn out at the side, spring the trap, and not be 

 taken ; it is necessary therefore to use these small pegs, 

 which will keep the mole in the straight road, placed as 

 before directed. 



In the next place, get two strong horsehairs or 

 pieces of small wire, and in the centre or middle of the 

 bow, at each end, make a' hole to put the hair or wire 

 through double, then open the hair or wire just to fit 

 and lie close inside of the bow like a noose ; get some 

 fine mould, and make it moist, like paste, and work 

 some of it with your finger and thumb all round the 

 inside of the bow, so that the horsehair or wire may 

 not be seen. Through the hole in the centre of the 

 trap let a short bit of string come. Put a forked peg 

 tight in the hole, that may keep the string from slip- 

 ping through, till the mole, by going through, pushes 

 it out ; then the string slips up. When you have thus 

 prepared the trap, open one of these runs, exactly the 

 length of the trap, put it down in the run quite level, 

 and make it smooth, that there may be no light dis- 

 covered. Then take three good strong hooked pegs, 

 two on one side, and one on the other, and stick them 

 down tight ; then procure a good stiff stick, about four 



