WAY TO DESTROY VERMIN. 405 



to set them neatly. Traps whose springs have been weakened 

 by constant use may be reserved for flying vermin. 



* 

 VEEMIN TERRIER 



I had almost forgotten to say that every game keeper, in all 

 his trapping and other excursions, should be accompanied by 

 an excellent vermin terrier. The use of this dog is to chal- 

 lenge vermin in earths, clefts of rocks, &c., thus making the 

 keeper aware where to plant a trap to find out fowmartes 

 in old walls or heaps of stones, where they generally conceal 

 themselves, and to run those banes of the preserve, the semi- 

 wild, cats, into trees, where, with the assistance of his master, 

 they may easily be killed. A dog will soon become so expert 

 at this last accomplishment that few cats will be able to escape 

 him. These cats do much more mischief than real wild ones, 

 as they are impudent enough to carry their depredations into 

 the midst of the preserve, and close to the most frequented 

 places. The fowmarte, although an enemy to all game, is 

 generally more calumniated than he deserves : he is not 

 nearly so injurious as the marten or cat. I have frequently 

 found his retreat when no other signs of plunder were to be 

 seen except a few frogs half-eaten. When discovered, the 

 polecat has no activity ; and if the wall or heap of stones 

 where he has sheltered himself can be pulled down or re- 

 moved, he cannot escape. 



Only one and the same terrier should be the keeper's 

 constant companion, as the dog will soon be " up to " the 

 traps, and from continual practice become first-rate at this 

 work. He must have a very good nose, and be perfectly 

 callous to game of all descriptions, but especially rabbits and 

 hares. 



