THE RABBIT 259 



ment exists it is as well that each compartment should 

 have an easily removable "tray, "so that it is not necessary 

 to disturb the whole flooring for the purposes of clean- 

 ing, and so that the ferrets may be confined in one com- 

 partment whilst the other two are being cleaned. This 

 cleaning must be carried out once in every twenty-four 

 hours, and must be thorough. The runs need not 

 be cleaned so often, but require careful inspection. 

 Either sand or sawdust may be used for the floors of 

 the trays. 



" The food of the adult ferret consists in the main 

 of bread and milk, or porridge or rice, but on no account 

 should it be too sloppy. Meat is given occasionally. 

 It must be fresh, and may consist of liver of deer, mice, 

 rats, birds, or a piece of freshly killed and warm 

 rabbit. This should be tied to a staple with a bit 

 of string to prevent the ferrets from dragging it into 

 their sleeping-place, and thus soiling the bedding " 

 (Harting).' 



Ferrets should not be fed too often ; once in twenty- 

 four hours is all that is necessary. 



Working. Ferrets should never be carried in a bag, 

 but always in a ferret-box, and on being brought home 

 should always have their feet washed. It is always 

 best, where possible, to have at least two keepers out 

 while ferreting. If one ferret sticks, the guns may pro- 

 ceed to the next burrow, while the second keeper waits 



1 Encyclopedia of Sport. See also his volume on Rabbits, in Fur, 

 Feather, and Fin Series. 



