Cats axp Rats. 



iSi 



the expense is verj- trifling, and there is no after an.\iet\'. Another mode, wlien the run is sur- 

 rounded b)^ walls of moderate height, is to fix along the top a yard-wide netting, a a, as shown 

 in Fig. 52, projecting over each side of the wall. Few cats will venture into a yard thus protected, 

 and any which do cannot escape, and are then easily " disposed of" Killing them is not necessary ; 

 a good garden-engine well handled for a quarter of an hour, the poor wretches vainly striving to 

 escape the hated element, will give them such a taste of tliat yard that thc\' will never enter it 

 again. These simple methods of protection arc better than destruction ; but .should the latter be 

 determined upon, a common box-trap, made large enough, and baited with meat, will catch 

 numbers, cats being of a vcr\- unsuspicious disposition. 



Rats give more trouble and are more destructive, prej'ing upon eggs as well as chickens. We 

 have heard it said that one or two guinea-pigs will keep them away, but have never been able to 

 satisfy ourselves that this has been proved, though there is no doubt but the two animals will 

 fight in the most determined manner. They may, however, generally be kept out of a house b\' 

 well laying it in concrete and cement ; and as they almost always do their foraging in the night, 

 keeping them out of the house is almost equivalent to defying them altogether. Another good 

 plan is to clear out all the loose stuff of the house or shed floor, and lay down inch-mesh wire 

 netting, carrying it also for a yard up the walls or sides. The sand or ashes ma}' then be replaced 

 over>the netting, and if the door be shut at night no rats nor any other animal can enter. A good 



Fig. 53- 



lively terrier is also an excellent safeguard. If necessar>', traps may be set, and when the bait is 

 anointed with oil of rhodium, few rats can withstand the temptation. It is best to use two at a time, 

 baiting both for a week before setting. Then set one, adding the oil of rhodium, and use it as long 

 as rats are caught, leaving the other open, but not baited or set. When the first is forsaken, leave 

 it open, but unset and unbaited, and use the other ; and when they get shy of both, by covering over 

 so as to appear hidden, the rats will often resort to them again. In this way, and by using the oil 

 of rhodium, or valerian, for both of which rats appear to have an irresistible passion, they may bo 

 nearly exterminated. A simple but very efi'ective rat-trap of another character may be formed 

 out of a barrel, as shown in Fig. 53. Fit a loose cover. A, by a hinge at the side, so that it will drop 

 unless held up by thfe spring-wire catch, B. A string from this wire must be carried through a 

 small hole to the outside of the building in which the trap is set, and some water put in the bottom 

 of the barrel. Then at every time of passing outside, pull the string, and directly after go in and 

 re-set the trap. Often, of course, nothing will be caught, but if judicious bait be placed on the 

 lid, perseverance will surely tell a tale in the long run ; and when one rat is thus nabbed, the noise 



