268 
THE RAT. 
touch it. I have found small pickle-bottles the best, both 
for mixing lard and phosphorus^ and for keeping the paste 
in. They are wide at the mouth, and thereby do away with 
the necessity for melting before the fire, because you can 
scoop out the mixture with a knife, spoon, or flat stick. 
Still, always remember, not only to bring it tight down, but 
to tie the bladder over it, and keep it in the dark. In this 
way it will keep good to the last. I must also tell you, 
that in the absence of spirits of wine or whisky the same 
quantity of good gin, rum, or brandy will do. 
Phosphorus and lard may be mixed without spirit. But 
in that case you must take the proportions of either scale, 
and serve them just the same as you would with the spirit, 
with one only exception, that is, that when the ingredients 
are fairly melted, you must cork down the bottle, and shake 
it till the lard begins to set. But the distribution of the 
phosphorus is not so complete as it is with the spirit, 
because some of it will be found in small beads at the 
bottom, whereas the spirit has the effect of entirely diffus- 
ing it, in the most minute particles, through every part of the 
dripping or lard. 
If at any time you wish to divide the phosphorus into 
equal parts, turn it out into a saucer of cold water ; then 
hold it with a fork, and cut it gently under water with a 
knife. When this is done, and the phosphorus put away, 
be sure to stick the end of the knife and fork into the fire, 
to burn off the particles ; and then no harm can come of it. 
At all times keep the phosphorus under water ; and, what- 
ever you do, keep all fire from it, for it will catch instantly 
if out of water, and burn most furiously ! Consequently the 
safest plan is only to buy what you want for present use, 
and then all danger is obviated. 
To prevent accidents to the live stock, always place the 
poison sufficiently down the holes ; but in barns it is a good 
plan to have a large rough box about six feet long, fifteen 
inches deep, and a yard wide. At the lower corner of each 
end, near the wall, cut a hole about three inches wide, for the 
rats to pass in and out easily. AVhen the box is well 
placed, raise the lid, and strew the inside with corn chaff ; 
then put in low vessels filled with clean water ; or, if you 
like, you may give them a treat or two of skim-milk. But, 
