VERMIN CATCHING, ETC. 131 



rough and common because they and iron- 

 mongers appear to get a better profit out of 

 them, as they are very cheap. 



" They get spread through the country, and 

 game-keepers have a difficulty in getting good 

 traps, because they do not know where to go 

 for them. 



"The four- inch Dorset trap is an improve- 

 ment on the old plain rabbit- trap ; this improve- 

 ment was made by a man in Dorsetshire, and 

 that is why it is called the Dorset trap. 



" There are vast quantities made of them 

 in a rough way, similar to the common plain 

 four-inch I have sent you. 



" Being in the habit of visiting game-keepers, 

 many have said they prefer the Dorset to the 

 old one, only the hinge and catch parts were apt 

 to get rusty, and would not act well till taken 

 to pieces, and the joints and hinges loosened. 



" I then thought of a plan to put brass for 

 the hinge and catch, and shewed it to many of 

 my friends, who much approved of it, so I got it 

 registered. 



" These traps always act because wet or damp 

 cannot rust the joints. Keepers can leave them 



92 



