148 J. B. CLELAND. 
pretty evident that it was not necessary to provide entice- 
ment. \ 
‘On close observation where the stacks were in very 
bad condition, it was apparent that the great majority of 
the mice were living in burrows about the railway yards, 
as they would be found at night in myriads climbing over 
the outer fences to get into the stack. Once they had ‘ac- 
complished their purpose, and got into the race, their doom 
was sealed, as they were driven along to the end of the 
_ fences, which here converged into a V-point, where a round 
pit, encircled on the inner side with galvanised iron, was 
sunk. As the fences projected through a slit in the iron 
six inches into the pit, it was impossible for them to escape, 
and in a good drive they poured in like a stream of water. 
A cupful of bisulphide of carbon was then thrown into the 
pit on top of them, and a couple of bags placed over the 
top. In a few minutes what was previously a seething 
mass was suffocated. They were then thrown into a cart, 
taken away, and buried. 
‘‘By this means immense catches were made, and 500,000 
were caught in three nights at Lascelles, or reckoning 36 
to the lb., 8 tons. Subsequently 500,000 were eaught in one 
night at Sheep Hills. These estimates were reckoned at 
800 dry mice to a kerosene tin, although up to 960 were 
counted out of a full tin. 
‘‘During June and July it was apparent that disease had 
broken out. Various ideas were given as to the nature of 
the complaint that they were suffering from, but it was 
clearly proved on close examination that they were very 
badly infected with mange and ringworms, and generally 
lost the power of their hind legs before death. The men 
handling the wheat broke out in sores and a species of ring- 
worm. This, however, was easily cured by iodine, especi- 
ally if treated promptly in the early stages. 
