216 
Vermin of the Farm. 
farm buildings, outhouses, and stackyards, trap by some of the 
means above suggested, (2) in the hedgerows and banks, ferret 
at the proper season by concerted action, and (3) suffer at least 
the white and brown owls, the kestrel, and the weasel to live, 
and follow their natural inclinations by preying upon these 
enemies to the agriculturist. 
The common house-mouse (Mus musculus) is too well known 
to require particular description, and the remarks made as to 
the destructiveness of rats in farm buildings and stack-yards 
apply almost as forcibly to this little pest. Being very prolific, 
when they have once taken possession of a wheat-rick they per- 
forate it with their runs, and destroy great quantities of grain. 
In such a situation, the best form of trap is an nnbaited one, 
pushed into the larger runs ; either a light gin, or a small box- 
trap open at both ends so that the mice, seeing daylight at the 
opposite end from which they enter, will run through and get 
caught. There is this drawback, however, that in each trap 
only one mouse is caught at a time, and what is that among so 
many ? Unless a great number of traps are set, and repeatedly 
inspected, there will be but little visible diminution in the number 
of mice. 
The common figure of 4 trap is one of the best for setting in 
the open air, and should be baited with a soaked bean, or, by way 
of a change with hard toasted cheese, or a bit of fat. For build- 
ings, the best form of mouse-trap is Pullinger’s patent; it 
requires no setting and not often baiting ; it is not liable to get 
out of order, and with care will last for many years. In this 
trap two mice may be caught at a time, and no matter how many 
are caught, if the trap be cleaned from time to time, and a little 
fresh grease placed in the part of the trap they first enter, they 
never seem to get shy or afraid of entering it. It generally 
happens with the majority of mouse traps that when two or three 
mice have been caught, the others suspect something wrong, and 
will not go near it. 
Another plan is to keep a good cat or two about the farm 
buildings and rickyards, although in game-preserving districts 
this is not always easy, as they will wander away in search of 
young rabbits, and such young game-birds as they can surprise. 
A more efficacious plan is to encourage weasels about the 
stackyards. Their small size, long slender bodies, and short legs 
enable them to follow the mice into the stacks, and through all 
their runs. Mice of all kinds are their natural prey ; they hunt 
them with avidity, and a pair of weasels, if allowed to rear a 
little family of their own, would, in the course of a few months, 
