Practical Game-Preserving. 316 



of the jaws as possible. Then, with the middle finger 

 of the left hand, press the flap over the jaws and push the 

 plate up from underneath with the third or fourth finger, 

 so that the catch may easily be made to fit in its place and 

 retain the trap as it is. A little practice will soon enable 

 one to set the gin as easily and safely as possible. 



The complete setting of the gin is, however, more com- 

 plicated than just fixing it as a trap, and requires further 

 description. The manner of " tilling " varies, of course, 

 according to the nature of the surroundings of a given 

 spot. It must be borne in mind that the more cleverly the 

 trap is concealed, the better chance one has of obtaining a 

 capture, and unless the covering placed upon the gin 

 resembles very closely what the ground was before it was 

 cut away for the purpose, the vermin will very quickly 

 descry the disturbance, and, suspecting something 

 dangerous, will be careful to steer clear. If the surface 

 of the spot chosen be grass or other herbage, com- 

 mence by placing the trap upon the ground in the position 

 it will presently occupy, with the spring and chain 

 extended towards the right-hand side when looking at what 

 may be termed the front of the site, or, in other words, 

 towards the right of that side from which it is supposed 

 the vermin will approach. This done, drive the stake 

 straight down until the head attached to the chain is about 

 i in. below the surface of the ground. Then, keeping 

 the trap extended so far from the stake as to allow a little 

 play for the chain, dig out with the flattened end of the 

 hammer a square hole just large enough to contain the 

 jaws of the trap when open, endeavouring so to form the 

 hole that what is dug out comes off in a little square ; then 

 further dig a sort of flap of turf along where the spring 

 lies, and scoop out the earth from underneath this flap. 

 Now try the trap to this form, remedying any little 



