THE PEST OF RATS 33 
‘For effective work,’’ says one who knows, 
‘‘they require experienced handling and the ad- 
ditional services of a dog or two. Dogs and 
ferrets must be thoroughly accustomed to each 
other, and the former must be quiet and steady 
instead of noisy and excitable. The ferret is 
used only to bolt the rats, which are killed by 
the dogs. If unmuzzled ferrets are sent into 
rat retreats, they are apt to make a kill and 
then lie up after sucking the blood of their vic- 
tim. Sometimes they remain for hours in the 
burrows or escape by other exits and are lost. 
There is danger that these Jost ferrets may 
adapt themselves to wild conditions and become 
a pest by preying upon poultry and birds.”’’ 
Cats, as a rule, are not of much use. Most 
of them are too well-fed, and will be afraid of, 
or not take the trouble to pursue rats, although 
they may be excellent mousers. 
A couple of good terriers, however, will work 
wonders in freeing one’s premises if trained 
to rat-catching. The ordinary farmer’s big 
cur is of no use for this purpose—and little for 
any other; but a Scotch, Irish or fox terrier, 
properly taught, will take pride in the work, 
