VERMIN. 
296' 
devouring the roots, and thus injuring or destroying 
the plant. I believe winter ploughings, by turning up 
these insects to the severity of the frost, is a means of 
weakening or destroying both these and other injurious 
insects; where land is proper for paring and burning, 
and a good many ashes are produced, and ploughed in 
hot weather, a great many worms must be destroyed 
by these operations ; and, I believe, a thorough liming 
with hot lime, will, by its rendering the earth acrid, 
prevent their increase, and lessen their numbers. 
Moles are also natural enemies to worms, and devour 
them in great number; but cannot be suffered them- 
selves on account of the mischief they do in heaving 
and hollowing the soil. 
Bats and Mice are very voracious, as well as prolific ; 
to prevent their ravages in wheat, it should always be 
stacked upon staddles, which are easily contracted to 
keep them out; the use of cats and dogs of the 
right sort for destroying them, is well known ; as also 
by traps of various sorts, made of wood, steel, iron, &c s 
with baits. Weasels are of service in destroying these 
vermin, though a little faulty themselves, as, I believe, 
the eggs of poultry and young chickens, are not spared 
by them, and they are great destroyers of game when 
such prey is in a young and helpless state; on which 
accounts they are destroyed when they can be come at ; 
when rats are numerous, it is a good way to hunt and 
harass them with ferrets, by persevering in which, they 
may be cleared from any premises. Poison is also 
sometimes employed to destroy them, but this should 
be done with proper caution to prevent unpleasant ac¬ 
cidents. 
Moles are very injurious when they too much abound, 
by heaving and hollowing corn and grass land, and 
thereby 
. . y, 
