114 TRAPPING THE ONLY EFFECTUAL 



neither higher nor lower. After having satisfied himself of 

 the neatness of the setting, the gentleman may spring the 

 trap, and if it closes clear of grass or leaves, he may rest 

 satisfied that his keeper knows the A B C of vermin-killing. 

 If, on the contrary, a quantity of the top dressing is caught 

 between the jaws of the trap, the keeper is not fit to set for 

 vermin, and must be made thoroughly master of this first 

 requisite before he attempts to do so. 



I shall now mention the different kinds of four-footed and 

 then winged vermin, giving minute instructions how each 

 may be most readily trapped. Foxes are the most cunning, 

 and consequently most difficult to be taken. The best time 

 to set for them is from the beginning of January when the 

 males follow the females till March. Their haunts may 

 then often be discovered by their wild peculiar bark. Any 

 clear open space near them, with a hollow in the middle, is 

 the place to plant traps. The hollow is necessary, as the 

 fox always likes to be out of sight when he is eating. The 

 bait is a piece of hare, rabbit, or the entrails of any animal, 

 covered over slightly with earth; and half-a-dozen traps are 

 set round with the utmost care. Fewer will not do, as the fox 

 might escape between. The bait is covered over in order to 

 make Reynard suppose that another fox or dog may have 

 buried it there. Some drag it along the ground for a con- 

 siderable distance on either side, after first rubbing it on the 

 soles of their shoes, and letting fall little pieces of cheese at 

 intervals : this can do no harm, but I think as little good. 



The circle of twigs is also a very good way of trapping 

 foxes all the year. It should be made larger than for martins 



