54 THE BROWN RAT IN THE UNITED STATES. 



3. Care in the construction of buildings and drains so as not to 

 provide entrance and retreats for rats, and the permanent closing of 

 all rat holes in old houses and cellars. 



4. The early thrashing and marketing of grains on farms, so that 

 stacks and mows shall not furnish harborage and food for rats. 



5. Removal of outlying straw stacks and piles of trash or lumber 

 that harbor rats in the fields. 



6. Rat-proofing of warehouses, markets, cribs, stables, and grana- 

 ries for storage of provisions, seed grain, and feedstuffs. 



7. Keeping effective rat dogs, especially in city warehouses. 



8. The systematic destruction of rats, whenever and wherever 

 possible, by (a) trapping, (b) poisoning, and (c) organized hunts. 



9. The organization of ''rat clubs" and other societies for sys- 

 tematic warfare against rats. 



O 



