THE PEST OF EATS 27 



ture a great many. The old-fashioned figure-4 

 trap, dropping a box, or better, a deadfall, is 

 often highly effective. Several sorts of steel 

 traps may be used to advantage; and in the 

 last chapter of this book will be found descrip- 

 tions of various forms and directions for bait- 

 ing and setting them. 



Poisoning will clear out the creatures more 

 rapidly and effectively but can hardly be used 

 except about barns and out-buildings, and even 

 there should be done intelligently and with cer- 

 tain precautions. Therefore instructions as to 

 the best means and methods of poisoning will 

 also be found in the last chapter. 



While endeavoring to kill off the rats by 

 these various methods, precautions should be 

 taken against their return. Their runways 

 and harboring places must be sought out and 

 made untenable. The wisdom of stopping up 

 all holes by which they enter houses, barns or 

 cellars, need hardly be mentioned to common- 

 sense readers. Freshly slaked lime placed in 

 their dry burrows and runs is effective; or 

 fresh thin whitewash to be poured into them. 

 A strong solution of copperas is good, and gas- 



