33 



"For effective work," says one who knows, 

 ' ' they require experienced handling and the ad- 

 ditional services of a dog or two. Dogs and 

 ferrets must be thoroughly accustomed to each 

 other, and the former must be quiet and steady 

 instead of noisy and excitable. The ferret is 

 used only to bolt the rats, which are killed by 

 the dogs. If unmuzzled ferrets are sent into 

 rat retreats, they are apt to make a kill and 

 then lie up after sucking the blood of their vic- 

 tim. Sometimes they remain for hours in the 

 burrows or escape by other exits and are lost. 

 There is danger that these lost ferrets may 

 adapt themselves to wild conditions and become 

 a pest by preying upon poultry and birds." 



Cats, as a rule, are not of much use. Most 

 of them are too well-fed, and will be afraid of, 

 or not take the trouble to pursue rats, although 

 they may be excellent mousers. 



A couple of good terriers, however, will work 

 wonders in freeing one's premises if trained 

 to rat-catching. The ordinary farmer's big 

 cur is of no use for this purpose and little for 

 any other; but a Scotch, Irish or fox terrier, 

 properly taught, will take pride in the work, 



