150 
PART 11. 
TO THE FAEMEKS OF GREAT BRITAIN, 
ON THE 
FECUNDITY AND DEVASTATING CHARACTER 
OF THE RAT. 
CHAPTER I. 
ON THE UNIVERSAL PREVALENCE AND DESTRUCTIVE 
HABITS OF THE RAT. 
Before I begin to describe or give the results of my 
calculations, as to the enormous powers of the rat for 
increasing and multiplying, and also the immense losses 
sustained through its all-consuming voracity, let me appeal 
to the serious consideration and attention of farmers in 
general ; since the whole of my undertaking, from first to 
last, has been directed to their personal and individual 
interest. To them it is matter of vital importance, so far as 
in numerous cases it makes all the difference betv»^een their 
losses and profits — in a word, between their poverty and 
their well-doing ; for herein will they begin to see how 
they have been struggling for years with millstones 
around their necks. But if they will lay aside all foolish 
prejudice, and read and reflect with the same kindly spirit 
in which I have written, I shall show them how, by a simple 
elFort, to throw the burden from their shoulders, and lay the 
axe to the root of their misfortunes, and that, too, without 
any outlay or expense to themselves ; nay more, if they will 
follow implicitly my plans and advice, they will not only 
put a period to their misfortunes, but, from the momenfc 
they carry them in execution, they shall, according to the 
extent of their farms and vermin, gather wealth daily ; and 
