27 
friend in Derbyshire bought a pot of Mr. Meyer’s rat-poison, 
and found it to be an analogous pliosplioric preparation. The 
present mode of preparing it is the result of my own experi- 
ments, made with the view of diffusing phosphorus through a 
mass of flour and sugar, &c., without tlie risk of fire. It may 
be an easy guide for those members of the Society wlio are 
desirous of following Dr. lire's prescription, and may not have 
a thermometer at hand, to know that a temperature of 150“ of 
Fahrenheit is equivalent to a degree of heat midway between 
that at which white-of-egg coagulates, and white wax melts.” 
Rats possess an instinctive fear of any new arrangement 
about their runs, and of the smell of their enemies; hence they 
are said to be very sagacious. Be this as it may, it is indis- 
pensable that, to be successful in capturing these animals, much 
caution be employed. Traps should be made clean, and not 
unnecessarily handled with the bare bands; and, in regard to 
setting them, or laying poisoned food about, tliis should never be 
attempted till the animals liave been familiarized to the instru- 
ments, and will eat freely from the trap in an open unset state, 
such food as is similar to that intended ultimately to contain 
poison. About forty years ago, a resident of ibe county of 
Hereford vvas extremely successful in catching rats, and obtained 
(we believe) one hundred subscribers, at a guinea each or more, 
as a remuneration I'or his secret. The success of his |)lan was 
mainly dependent on the caution we have recommended. He 
used the wooden box trap, with sliding or spring ends; this was, 
at least, the principle adopted. He fastened it open, laid within 
side it a little malt, and a little straw wliich liad been drawn 
through the Iiands after rubbing them witli a drop of oil of ani- 
seed. The least imaginable of this scent suffices, as much of it 
produces disgust. The rats soon discover the bait, and are re- 
gularly fed in the open trap with malt, till tliey will come, where 
they happen to be abundant, in droves, to consume it. IVhen 
this is the case, the trap being set, several at a time will be 
taken, till tlie premises are relieved of the pest. Practised with 
caution this method proves exceedingly efficient. 
234 Fruit Trees. ( R. Errington.) Having promised explicit 
directions for the management of fruit trees in general, I must 
first deal with those general principles, which are common 
to all our hardy fruits, then explain such as apply only to 
204. AUCTAK1U.M. 
