Horticuliural and Floricultund Societies. 381 
of light earth and manure ; a hole was then made with a dibble, and the eyes 
of the Potatoe dropped in ; then manure, in a liquid state, was poured in, 
and tlie rake applied to the surface. The eye of the Potatoe was scooped out, 
the size of a nut, by an instrument for the purpose. In this way no waste 
was made of the Potatoe, and it was expected to yield half as much more by 
this mode, than by the common mode of cutting them, 
F. I.G. W. 
RURAL AFFAIRS. 
Mbthod of Destroying Rats. — Gentlemen, on loooking' over the Brighton 
Gazette, I saw an expeditious mode of Rat-catching-, or rather of exterminating- 
them fi-oui buildings &c., which might, I think, be useful to some of the readers 
of the Horticultural Register, if you think it worth insertion, as it does away .with 
the objection of laying baits of pois(.n. Although rats, as well as sparrows, are 
no doubt, designed as useful subjects in their places, but are very often found out 
of place by the kitchen-serving-gardener, still, I believe, a few rats may reason- 
ably be spared by those who are over stocked, though I am no advocate for 
cruelty. 
" A gentleman in the neighbourhood of Lewes, whoso premises were much 
infested with rats, tried every means to effect their extermination, but without 
avail, till Baxter's Library of Agricultural Knowledge (page 227) having found 
its way into his library, he sought the remedy mentioned. According to the di- 
rections, he procured a sugar hogshead, poured about five inches of water into it, 
and in the centre placed a brick ; he then covered the top with a piece of parch- 
ment, on which he placed enticing food for the rats; here they feasted themselves 
for a few days, when he made several openings through the parchment, sufficient- 
ly Ifirge for a rat to drop through ; the baits being again laid, no sooner did one 
of the rats get on the top than he fell into the water; he, of course, swam to the 
brick, where he moaned most piteously. The whole community of rats were 
alarmed, and their curiosity led them in great numbers to the spot; they got on the 
parchment head, where they had often before been, and in they dropped, in quick 
succession. Now came the sport, if so it may be termed. There being only one 
brick in the hogshead, a war ensued for its possession; they fought most des- 
perately, and the longer the battle continued, the greater became the numbar of 
forces; for all the rats about the premises ran to see what was the matter, and 
sharing the fate of those who preceded them, dropped into the hogshead. The 
war lasted some hours, and was not quite silenced even by the morning, when at 
length, all became still ; — the gentlemen removed the parchment, and discovered 
the number of rats he had caught, to be much larger than he had supposed to be 
on his premises. He has since recommended the same plan to all his neiglibours, 
and it has been found equally efficient. I am, &c. 
Snekton, near Ashb'jrne. J. Smith. 
III.— HORTICULTURAL AND FLORICULTURAL SOCHETIES. 
STIRLING HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
This Society is now patronised by the Rt. Hon. Lord Abercroraby, and the greatest part of 
the gurrounding-n^entry. Its Ollice-bearers are, — President, Capt. G. Galbraith ; Vice-President, 
Mr. R. Campbell; Secretary, Mr. R. Youtig; Treasurer, Mr. P. Drummond ; and Collector, 
Mr. R. Kav. Its meetings for exhibition, and the distributino- of prizes, will be held on the 
8th and 29th of May, on the 12th of June, and on the 13th of Sept., 1832; the last of which is 
a general meeting. To these the members are admitted gratis, and the public by tickets at 
sixpence each. This Society possesses a Library for the use of its members, and of their jour- 
neymen and apprentices ; and from the liberal manner in which the whole is conducted, we 
have the greatest hopes of its utility. 
We also feel a decided pleasure in noticing the AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION in the same 
place. We can do no raore than notice for want of room, but a lengthened detail will be found 
in the Stirling Advertiser, for the 9tli December, 1831. This was set on foot by Messrs. Drum- 
mond and Sons, Nurserymen, &c., of that place, and promises to be of incalculable benefit. 
This exhibition consisted of Turnips, Carrots, Mangold Wurzel, Potatoes, Grain, includinir 
Wheat, Barley, Oats, Beans, Peas, Vetches, Rye, &c. Also garden produce, and a variety of 
other things, including Improved Agricultural Implements, &c. The meeting was not attended 
by a great proportion of tlic Practical ,\:;rioulturalists, hut by most of the nobilily and gentry 
lu the neigubourhood. 
