280 
GENERAL MANAGEMENT 
aprons, and turned their backs, while he roared out a volley 
of oaths against all the rat-catchers in the universe ; "an' if 
he had his will, he'd hang every man of 'em." His poor wife, 
with tears in her eyes, tried to reason with him kindly, and 
received nothing but hoarse bullying in return. " But, ray 
dear," said she, " the gentleman says they are rats." " I don't 
care for you or the gentleman either j I say they're wissles. 
Who ever heard of rats killing hens and chickens 1 I sup- 
pose you'll say next, that rats eat the eggs ! Warn't I born 
an' bred a farmer ; an think I don't know a rat from a 
wisslef 
'•Come, my friend," said I, '-we'll put this matter to the 
test, and see who is right." I then pulled a ferret out of my 
pocket ; having brought with me the smallest I had, think- 
ing that if I fell in with a weasel, and it should take to ground, 
perhaps the ferret might unearth it. I bid them all stand 
back. Then placing my dogs at the most likely holes out- 
side, I ^vent into the roost, and put down the ferret. It was 
not long before out dashed the rats. The dogs succeeded in 
killing some dozen or twenty ; but there being only two 
dogs, several of the rats made their escape, while others 
turned back into the holes. " There, sir," said I, " pray are 
those weasels or rats T He was like the majority of 
ignorant, self-conceited men, who, if the fact be placed 
before their eyes, will not acknowledge it, but turn the 
subject. " Ah, well," he said, "it don't much signify, they 
bring so many French eggs to market now, that poultry 
warn't worth keeping." Then clenching his fist, " I'll tell you 
what 'tis, sir, the French can always undersell us !" " And 
well they may," I replied, " if the British farmers neglect 
their poultry as you do. And now, sir, let me tell you, that 
indolent men are always glad to cling to any excuse to cover 
their laziness. But, on the other hand, sir, I am satisfied, 
by practical experience, that if the farmers of Great Britain 
will only allow their good wives and daughters their just 
rights, namely, the profits of the poultry-yard, they will, by 
proper attention to breeding and general good management, 
produce both eggs and poultry that for size, price, and 
quality may bid defiance to any and every thing that can be 
imported, either from France or any other country." 
"That, sir/' said the wife, " is certainly most true; for when 
