,,rat-,,cat*]999999            ,?is     
e,book 0 prep>$ by ,les ,b[l]4          
,full ,revelations ( a ,pr(essional     
,rat-,cat*]1  aft] #be ,ye>s' ,exp]i5ce 
by ,ike ,mat!ws4      ,title page image3
 title4jpg          ,introduction4      
,9 plac+ be=e my read]s 9 ! foll[+ pages
 ! results ( my  tw5ty-five ye>s'       
exp]i5ce ( ,rat-cat*+1 ,f]ret+1 etc41 ,i
 may say  t ,i h always done my be/ to  
accompli% e task t ,i h  und]tak51 & ,i 
h 9 consequ5ce receiv$ excell5t         
te/imonials  f _m corporations1 railway 
companies1 & m]*ants4  ,i h n  only made
 x my /udy to discov] ! diff]5t & ! be/ 
me?ods (  cat*+ ,rats1 b ,i h also tak5 
great int]e/ 9 wat*+ _!  ways & habits1 
& ,i come to ! conclusion t !re is no   
sure way  ( completely ext]m9at+ !      
,rod5ts1 especially 9 l>ge t[ns4  ,if ,i
  h 9 ?is "w ref]r$ m p>ticul>ly to     
,rat-cat*+ 9  ,man*e/] t is only because
 my exp]i5ce1 al?\gh ext5d+ ov] a  mu*  
wid] area1 has be5 *iefly 9 t city1 b ! 
me?ods ,i  describe are equally         

applicable to all l>ge t[ns4    ,y\rs   
truly1    ,,ike ,,mat!ws4               
,,pr(essional ,,rat-,,cat*]1            
,,p5dleton1            ,,man*e/]4       
,,"p ,i4  ,,h[ ,,to ,,cle> ,,rats ,,f   
,,w>eh\ses1 ,,(fices1 ,,/or]ooms1 ,,etc4
      ,9 ! fir/ place my advice is--nev]
 poison ,rats 9 any enclos$  build+s    
:atev]4  ,:y8  ,simply because ! ,rats t
 y poison are  ,dra9 ,rats1 or :at y    
call ,black ,rats1 & y c dep5d ^u x t  !
 ,rats t y poison w n get back into !   
dra9s1 b die "u  ! floor betwe5 ! la?s &
 pla/]1 & ! consequ5ce is t 9 a  few    
days ! /5* t w arise w be mo/ obnoxi\s4 
,& !re is  no?+ m injuri\s ?an ! smell (
 a decompos$ ,rat4    ,hav+ _h a long   
exp]i5ce 9 ,man*e/] ,i am q sure ( ?is4 
,z  an in/ance1 ,i rememb] a private    
h\se :]e ,i 0 engag$ cat*+ ,rats  "u a  
floor ) f]rets4  ,i w5t z f> z possible 
on my belly "u  ! floor ) two c&les 9 my
 h&s1 & ,i saw ! f]ret kill a l>ge  bit*
 ,rat1 ab\t six y>ds f me aga9/ a wall1 
:]e nei!r ! dog  nor myself c\ld get at 

x4  ,i f9i%$ ! job & made out my bill = 
my s]vices1 b 9 ab\t two or ?ree weeks  
aft] !y aga9 s5t =  me1 decl>+ !y c\ld n
 /ay 9 ! sitt+-room on acc\nt ( !  smell
 t arose f b5ea? ! floor+ bo>ds4  ,!y _h
 9  consequ5ce to s5d = a jo9]2 & z ,i  
knew ! exact spot :]e !  ,rat 0 kill$ ,i
 ord]$ him to take up ! floor bo>ds j   
:]e !  dead ,rat lay1 & ! /5* t arose f 
! decompos$ ,rod5t 0  bad 9 ! extreme4  
,i dis9fect$ ! place1 & ,i 0 nev] s5t = 
aga94  ,?is 0 "u a cold floor1 & x is   
mu* worse :]e !re is  any heat4    ,n[  
to deal ) ! diff]5t me?ods ( cat*+      
,rats4  ,! be/ way1  9 my op9ion1 is1   
,,trapp+ ,,!m ,,) ,,/eel ,,spr+ ,,traps4
      ,:5ev] y are trapp+1 nev] on any  
consid]ation put bait on !  traps2      
always put traps 9 _! runs1 b y w f9d   
,rats are s  cunn+ t 9 "t1 aft] a few h 
be5 caught1 !y w jump ov]  ! traps1 & !n
 y mu/ try ano!r way4  ,a good "o is !  
foll[+1 viz43--,get a bag ( f9e1 clean  
sawdu/1 & mix ) x ab\t  "o-six? its     
weight ( oatmeal4  ,obta9 ! sawdu/ fre% 

f "u !  saw1 )\t bits ( /ick 91 z ^!    
w\ld be liable to get into !  tee? ( !  
trap & /op !m f clos+4  ,:]e y see !    
runs put  a h&ful 9 say ab\t #cj diff]5t
 places1 e night1 j dropp+  ! sawdu/ &  
meal out ( y\r h&s 9 little heaps4  ,t  
means #cj  diff]5t heaps4  ,d ?is = f\r 
nights1 & y w see ea* morn+  t ! sawdu/ 
is all spread ab\t4  ,n[ = f\r m nights 
y mu/  bury a set trap "u e heap (      
sawdu/4  ,?us y w h #cj  traps1 on ea* (
 :i* !re is a squ>e c5tre plate2 y mu/  
level  ! sawdu/ ov] ! plate ) a bit (   
/ick1 & set ea* trap z f9e  z y c on !  
cat* spr+1 s t ! weight ( a m\se w\ld   
set  x (f4  ,!y w play 9 ! sawdu/ z     
usual1 & y w h ,rats  9 almo/ e trap4   
,y w f9d t ?is plan w capture a great   
_m ( ! ,rod5ts4  ,i h trapp$ z _m z #aad
 9 "o night 9 ?is  way4    ,9 "t1 h[ev]1
 ! ,rats w cease to g ne> sawdu/4  ,!n y
 mu/  procure a bag ( f9e soot f any    
*imney sweep1 & y w f9d t  !y w g at !  
soot j z ke5 z !y did 9 ! fir/ in/ance  
at ! sawdu/4  ,:5 !y get tir$ ( soot    

7:i* !y w 9 "t7  y mu/ procure "s s(t   
tissue pap] & cut x f9e1 & use t 9  !   
same way z ! sawdu/ & ! soot4  ,y c also
 use light *aff  or hay se$s ) ! l      
result4    ,i mu/ n omit to tell my     
read]s to always trap ,rats 9 ! night1 &
  to g v quietly ab\t x1 = if y make mu*
 noise !y w give  ov] fe$+4  ,y mu/ n g 
ab\t ) too big a light :il/  trapp+4  ,y
 %\ld /ay at ! build+ f d>k until       
midnight1 &  e "t a ,rat is caught 9 !  
trap y %\ld g ) a bull's eye  lamp1 take
 x out ( ! trap or kill x1 & !n set !   
trap aga91 z  y h ! *ance ( ano!r ,rat 9
 ! same trap4  ,f exp]i5ce ,i  c say t y
 ne$ n /ay 9 any place aft] #ab o'clock 
at night1 z  ,i ?9k t ! fir/ fe$ is !   
be/1 & t ! fir/ ?ree h\rs  are wor? all 
! o!r "p ( ! night4  ,y c g home at #ab 
o'clock1 & be sure to be 9 ! place by #f
 or #g a4m41 = _m a ,rat  caught 9 !    
trap by ! front leg w1 if x gets "t1 eat
 (f its  leg & get away aga91 & !y are v
 cunn+ to cat* aft]w>ds4        ,,nev]  
,,h ,,y\r ,,traps ,,set ,,9 ,,!         

,,daytime4      ,h&le !m z little z     
possible4  ,always cat* z _m ,rats z y c
  9 y\r build+s 9 ,janu>y & ,febru>y1 z 
!y beg9 to bre$ 9  ,m>*1 & e bit* ,rat  
means1 on ! av]age1 eight m4  ,also get 
z mu* f]ret+ done z possible be=e bre$+ 
"t1 = a "y ,rat  c get into ! ends ( !  
joi/+ "u a floor1 :]e a f]ret  _c get   
ne> x1 & ! consequ5ce is t a f]ret is   
unable to  cope ) its task4  ,! be/ ?+  
,i c advise = cle>+ "y ,rats  is a good 
cat1 "o t mu/ n be h&l$ nor made a pet  
(1 b  all[$ to live 9 almo/ a wild /ate4
  ,a good cat c d z mu*1 9 my  op9ion1 9
 "o night1 :5 ,rats are bre$+1 z two    
f]rets c d 9 a  day1 especially 9 a     
build+ :]e !re are cavity walls1 z x is 
impossible = a f]ret to foll[ a ,rat 9  
su* walls4    ,?is is all ! in=mation ,i
 am able to give on ! trapp+ ( ,rats--a 
me?od ,i h prov$ by #be ye>s' exp]i5ce  
to excel all o!rs4  ,/ill  ano!r way (  
cle>+ ! pe/s is z foll[s3--,! majority (
 ,rats  are ,black1 or :at we call ,dra9
 ,rats2 if !y are 9 a build+ !y  w 9 mo/

 cases come f a wat]-closet4  ,sometimes
 y w see f  ! dra9 pipes 9 !            
wat]-closet1 say1 a six-in* pipe fitt$  
into a  n9e-in* pipe1 & ! jo9t cov]$    
r\nd ) clay1 ?r\gh :i* !  ,rats eat &   
scrat* & get into ! build+ 9 great      
numb]s 9 !  night1 b mo/ ( !m return    
into ! dra9s dur+ ! day4  ,n[1 if  x is 
! bre$+ season 7ab\t eight mon?s out ( !
 twelve7 !y  w d mu* damage to silk1    
cotton1 lea!r1 lace1 &1 9 fact1 all  o!r
 light goods4  ,& "o w\ld be surpris$ to
 see ! quantity (  clo?1 pap]1 etc41 !y 
w procure = _! ne/s :il/ bre$+4    ,!   
way to get cle> ( ^! is to g 9 ! day )  
two or ?ree  f]rets & leave ! dra9 pipe 
op54  ,f]ret !m all back into !  dra92  
don't put a net ov] ! dra9 = fe> y might
 miss "o or two4  ,if !y got back into !
 build+ !y w\ld be h>d to cat*1 z !y    
w\ld n face ! net aga94  ,!n1 aft]      
f]ret+1 make ! dra9  good1 & if !re be  
an odd ,rat or two left 9 ! build+ y w  
get  !m 9 a few nights by bait+ ! trap4 
,!re is ano!r way ( cat*+ ! ,br[n ,rat  

:i* bre$s "u !  floor 9 l>ge build+s :]e
 !re are no dra9s4  ,!y are v  awkw>d to
 cat*4  ,always h a trap or two set1 b d
 n set !m  :]e !y fe$2 place !m 9 _!    
runs4  ,b !re are o!r me?ods  = o!r     
,rat-infe/$ places4  ,= in/ance1 take a 
re/aurant1 :]e  !y fe$ 9 ! cook+ kit*52 
we w suppose !y h eat5 f\r  holes ?r\gh 
ei!r floor or skirt+ bo>ds4  ,! be/ way 
to cat*  ^!--h[ev] _m holes !y h lead+  
into ! kit*5--is to block  up 7) t9 or  
simil> mat]ial7 all ! holes ) !         
exception (  "o1 & let !m use t "o = two
 nights4  ,!n put a plateful (  good    
food1 su* z oatmeal & oil ( anise$1 z f>
 f ! hole z  y c 9 ! same kit*52 !n run 
a small tra9 ( meal & anise$  f ! hole  
to ! plate4  ,next drive two six-in*    
nails 9 ! wall1  ) a long piece ( /r+   
ti$ to ! nail heads4  ,put on ^! nails a
  brick or piece ( bo>d "r above ! hole 
#b in*es up ! wall4  ,be  sure ! nails  
are q loose 9 ! wall ov] ! hole1 & leave
 9  t position = two nights1 s t ! ,rats
 w get us$ to x4  ,on  ! night t y are  

go+ to cat* !m1 be=e leav+ ! place  c>ry
 ! /r+ f ! nail heads to ! door or w9d[2
 let ! door  or w9d[ be clos$ )9 an in*1
 ) ! end ( ! /r+ outside4  ,aft] ! place
 has be5 quiet = ?irty m9utes return to 
! door or  w9d[ v quietly1 & y w he> !  
,rats fe$+4  ,pull !  /r+1 ! loose nails
 come out ( ! wall & ! brick or bo>d    
drops  ov] ! hole4  ,y c !n g 91 close !
 door1 turn up ! gas &  cat* or kill !m 
at y\r leisure1 z !y _c get back aga94  
,by ?is me?od ,i may m5tion t ,i h      
caught a great numb] ( ,rats1  & x is q 
possible to cle> a place 9 ?is mann]3 t 
is1 if  !y d n come out ( ! dra9s4  ,i h
 caught upw>ds ( #ajc 9 six  nights 9   
?is way4  ,! be/ "t to cat* ,rats 9 any 
build+ is  always at night1 & always    
ab\t half-an-h\r aft] ! place has be5   
clos$1 z ,rats are g5]ally m adv5tur\s  
to come = _! fir/  fe$4  ,always g ab\t 
z quietly z possible4    ,9 "s ( ! v old
 ,man*e/] build+s t 7 built 9 ! days    
be=e dra9 plans _h to be submitt$ to !  
corporation1 "o f9ds  "u ! cell> floors 

old-fa%ion$ brick & flag dra9s 7bett]   
kn[n  z spit dra9s71 t 7 left 9 :5 !    
place 0 built4  ,once !  ,rats get 9 ^! 
disus$ dra9s all ! pr(essional          
,rat-cat*]s 9  ,engl& c\ld n cle> !m )\t
 pull+ ! build+ d[n4  ,! ,rats  h1 by "s
 means1 got out ( ! ma9 sew]1 probably  
by ! bur/+  ( a sew] into "o ( ^! disus$
 dry brick dra9s4  ,x is !n  impossible 
to get und]gr\nd to see :]e !y h got    
into ! dry  dra91 & ! only ?+ t c be    
done 9 a case ( ?is sort is to  engage a
 pr(essional ,rat-cat*] occasionally1 & 
keep two or ?ree  good cats to keep !   
,rats d[n4  ,^! places z a rule are m   
plagu$  ) !m :5 x is v wet wea!r & !re  
are floods runn+4  ,?is  is ! be/ "t to 
cat* !m1 z !y are all "u ! floor ( !    
build+1 & are v easy to cat* 9 ! night )
 ! traps4    ,z a rule ! ,black or ,dra9
 ,rats fe$ only 9 ! night1 v r>ely 9  ! 
day1 z !y are ( a dirty nature1 & pref] 
be+ 9 ! dra9s4  ,9 my op9ion ! ,black   
,rat is m vici\s ?an ! ,br[n4    ,!re is
 ano!r ,rat ,i call ! ,r$ ,rat1 :i* is  

ak9 to ! ,br[n ,rat4  ,y w always cat*  
^! at a tann]y1 or ab\t k5nels1 :]e     
h\nds  are kept1 & !y g5]ally fe$ on    
horsefle% or (fal4  ,r$ ,rats are  !    
gamei/ ,rats ,i "k1 = :atev] k9d ( ,rats
 are put into !  /ore cage1 ^! ,r$ ,rats
 kill !m ! fir/ night !y are left quiet4
    ,i may describe ano!r mode ( cat*+  
,rats4  ,9 any ,rat-ov]run  w>eh\se1    
/or]oom1 or cell>1 :]e !re is a deal (  
rubbi% su* z  pack+ cases1 wrapp]s1 wa/e
 pap]1 etc41 ?r[ a lot ( food1 say      
oatmeal or soak$ bread1 c>elessly among/
 ! cases or rubbi% & let  ! ,rats h a   
full week's fe$+ at _! leisure1 & !n if 
y  "k ! holes r\nd ! floor :]efrom !y   
come1 g 9 "s night z  quick z possible1 
turn up ! lights1 run to ! ?ree or f\r  
holes1  & block !m up ) pieces ( rag1   
etc4  ,n[ z all ! ,rats w n  run out ( !
 pack+ cases or wa/e pap]1 b w hide     
among/ !  same1 ?is is ! "t to take a   
good t]ri] dog or two ) y1 & to  h a bit
 ( sport4  ,let "o dog hunt among !     
cases1 etc41 & hold  ! o!r1 = ! ,rats w 

soon make = ! holes1 b ! rags  prev5t+  
_! escape y w cat* & kill a great _m by 
?is  means4    ,x %\ld be /at$ "h t z   
,rats are v cunn+1 x takes a lot (      
/udy1 dodg+1 & exp]i5ce to be able to   
rid !m entirely4  ,:5 y  are fe$+ ,rats 
any:]e1 nev] fe$ !m ) o!r ?an s(t /uff1 
:i* y c squeeze ?r\gh y\r f+]s1 = if y  
fe$ !m )  any?+ lumpy1 !y w c>ry pieces 
into _! holes & eat at _!  leisure4     
,,f]ret+4      ,f]ret+ is a v good plan 
= de/roy+ ,rats 9 cottage h\ses1        
/ables1 hotels1 etc41 z x c be done 9 ! 
day1 b 9 build+s1  say five or six      
/oreys high y _c f]ret v well z y _c    
tell :]e to set y\r nets4  ,! only way  
to f]ret a l>ge build+ is  to f]ret "o  
floor at once1 & always />t at ! top    
/orey fir/4  ,! majority ( floors are   
la?s & pla/]4  ,?is is :at ! ,rat       
likes1 especially ! ,br[n ,rat1 & !re   
are m ne/s f\nd 9 ^!  places ?an any:]e 
else4  ,to f]ret ?or\ghly 9 su* places y
 w  require to h a bo>d up at ea* end ( 
! floor3 ! two end bo>ds  t run         

crossways ) ! joi/2 !n y mu/ h a man to 
put !  f]ret 9 at "o end1 & f]ret "o    
joi/ at a "t2 h a net set at  ! o!r end4
  ,! be/ way at ! cat*+ end is to h a   
long %eet  net ab\t a y>d wide1 & ! full
 l5g? ( ! bo>ds t are up1 =  sometimes  
"u ! bo>ds ! ,rats c get out ( "o joi/  
into  ano!r1 & if y use ! long net y c  
cat* !m :i*ev] joi/  !y bolt at4    ,n[ 
we w suppose y are f]ret+ a sev5-/orey  
build+1 :i*  might occupy ?ree or f\r   
days4  ,if y h f]ret$ two /ories !  fir/
 day1 dur+ ! night ! ,rats t h n be5    
f]ret$ on !  l[] /ories may get back    
aga9 to ! top /orey4    ,h[ to prev5t   
?is happ5+ ,i w give y a plan ( my own1 
:i* ,i  don't ?9k any ,rat-cat*] b      
myself has ev] employ$4  ,! c\rse (     
action--a r exp5sive "o ,i admit--is !  
foll[+3 ,:ile y h  ! bo>ds up y mu/ g to
 ! druggi/ & get two %ill+s' wor? (     
cay5ne pepp]1 & put x into a pepp] du/]4
  ,scatt] ! cay5ne  along ! bo>ds & joi/
 :]e y h _h ! long %eet net1 &  also    
along ! o!r end ( ! joi/ :]e y put !    

f]rets 91 &  y w f9d t "u no            
consid]ation w ,rats face ! cay5ne      
pepp]4  ,cay5ne is alright = any dry    
place & w la/ a long "t1  b x w n d 9   
any wat] closets or any damp places1 z  
dampness  takes all ! nature out ( !    
cay5ne4    ,aft] f]ret+ 9 any k9d (     
build+1 always g c>efully r\nd !        
outside1 & see t !re are no brok5 air   
grids1 or brok5 cell>  w9d[s1 z ^! are  
likely ways t ! ,rats get into ! build+ 
at  fir/4  ,:5 f]ret+ always be c>eful  
h[ y set y\r nets1 & be  extremely quick
 on ! ,rats :5 !y bolt1 = sometimes if  
!y get  back !y w face ! f]ret be=e !y w
 bolt aga92 !n !  f]rets kill !m "u !   
floors1 & ?is z 9 ! case ( poison+  !m  
is liable to cause an abom9able smell1 m
 especially :]e heat  is ne>4    ,9 !   
:ole ( my exp]i5ce ( ,rat-cat*+1 :i* is 
a l5g?y "o1 ,i  nev] gave a gu>antee to 
cle> a place completely1 9 ,man*e/] or  
any  o!r t[n :]e s _m l>ge build+s are s
 close toge!r4  ,& let  me %[ ! reason =
 ?is4  ,take ,cannon ,/reet1 ,man*e/]1 z

 an  illu/ration4  ,"h are six or eight 
diff]5t firms 9 "o block (  build+s4    
,n[1 suppose f\r ( ^! firms are suff]+ f
 !  damage ! ,rats are do+4  ,well1 "o  
or two ( ^! firms may g to !  exp5se (  
hav+ ! ,rats cle>$ away4  ,b betwe5 !   
two build+s  !re may be a h>dw>e bus9ess
 or ironmong]'s %op1 :]e ,rats _c  d any
 h>m to _! goods4  ,! own]s ( ^! %ops w 
n g to !  exp5se ( hav+ ,rats caught1   
nor w !y let u g into _! %ops  at       
midnight2 !re=e ! result is ! ,rat-cat*]
 9 8 trapp+ &  f]ret+ is limit$ to ^!   
two places1 & all he c d is to cat*  "s 
& drive ! re/ into ! h>dw>e %op4  ,:5 "u
 ! floors 9  su* places "o f9ds !re has 
be5 s _m alt]ations made at  diff]5t    
times t "o joi/ may be a foot or six    
in*es bel[ !  o!r1 & :5 ! ,rats are     
completely driv5 out ( ^! places x  w\ld
 require jo9]s & bricksett]s to "w =    
weeks "u ! floors  to /op ! ,rats       
return+4  ,& mo/ firms w n g to ?is     
exp5se4  ,i only give my read]s ?is z an
 illu/ration ( :at has (t5 happ5$  ) me1

 & to %[ :y ,i nev] gu>antee to cle>    
,rats completely 9  l>ge t[ns4  ,if !y  
are 9 a private h\se1 /able1 gre5h\se1  
or any  block ( h\ses1 ( say five or    
six1 ,i might !n1 aft] look+ ?r\gh1     
give a gu>antee to cle> !m completely4  
,^! are ! fulle/ details ,i c give y1 & 
if y w put any (  ! ways ,i h m5tion$   
into practice y w f9d t !y are all      
successful1 especially ! cov]+ ( traps4 
,i c give y j "o  m in/ance 9 ,man*e/]1 
:]e ,i 0 engag$4  ,! workpeople _h  be5 
torm5t+ ! ,rats ) traps1 n kn[+ h[ to   
set !m4  ,!y  s5t = me1 & on my look+   
r\nd ! place ,i knew !re 0 a lot (      
,rats4  ,i submitt$ my price to d ! job1
 & :5 ,i w5t d[n "o night  ) #dj traps1 
dog1 & two f]rets ,i ?\ght ,i %\ld cat* 
#bj or #cj  ,rats1 b ,i f\nd t !y _h    
plagu$ !m s mu* ) _! attempt$  trapp+ t 
,i only caught ?ree 9 ! :ole night4     
,?is place  belong$ to a limit$ company1
 & :5 ,i w5t be=e ! committee !  next   
morn+ !y 7 n satisfi$4  ,i told !m t _! 
own  workpeople _h torm5t$ ! ,rats s mu*

 ) traps t ! ,rats w\ld  n g ne> "o4  ,i
 !n told ! committee t ,i w\ld /ill /ick
 to  my t]ms1 b ,i w\ld leave ! job ov] 
= a =tnight4  ,n[ dur+  t =tnight ,i w5t
 d[n a good _m times1 & laid ! sawdu/ z 
,i  h already describ$1 & ?us got !     
,rats us$ to x4  ,! fir/  night t ,i w5t
 cat*+ ,i took ) me #cc traps4  ,i _h !m
 all set  by #h-cj p4m41 & by #ab-cj    
a4m4 ,i _h trapp$ #de ,rats2 ! next     
night #ca  ,rats2 & be=e ,i complet$ !  
job1 ) ! trapp+ & ! o!r  ways t ,i h    
m5tion$1 ,i caught #ahc ,rats6  ,?is ,i 
give m]ely z an  illu/ration to %[ !    
necessity ( engag+ an exp]i5c$ man to   
cat* ,rats--t is1 if y want !m caught4  
,& to confirm !  /atem5ts above1 ,i %all
 be mo/ happy to supply privately ! "n &
  place ( ! firm1 & also to give a      
p]sonal int]view if necess>y4    ,& n[ a
 ^w or two respect+ ! diff]5t ways 9 :i*
 ,rat-cat*]s  are treat$4  ,_m p ?9k t a
 ,rat-cat*] is fav\r$ if !y  give him   
p]mission to cat* ,rats on _! f>ms or   
r\nd ! banks (  _! corn or :eat fields4 

,well1 on "s occasions ,i grant ?is may 
be  a fav\r1 = ,i h se5 :5 ,i h _h an   
ord] 9 h& = ab\t #aj  doz5 ,rats1 & h _h
 only a day or two 9 :i* to get !m4     
,su*  are ! only times & circum/ances :5
 a ,rat-cat*] gives 8  s]vices gratis1 &
 simply because he wants ! live ,rats4  
,mo/ f>m]s  w s5d y ^w :5 !y are ?re%+  
_! corn1 & !n ! value  ( ! ,rats are    
wor? ! day's "w to ! ,rat-cat*]4    ,?is
 is all "r z f> z x goes1 b :5 "o comes 
to consid] !  ye>ly exp5ses ( !         
,rat-cat*] x w be f\nd t !y are v       
heavy4  ,n[1 fir/ ( all x w co/1 at !   
lea/1 #e p\nds annually  = ! we> & te> (
 traps alone1 !n !re is ! we> & te> (   
nets2 two dog lic5ces2 always ?ree or   
f\r f]rets to keep 7& f]rets  are (t5   
lo/ d[n dra9s or kill$ by ,rats72 also  
sundry o!r  exp5ses1 su* z /ore cages1  
etc4  ,!n1 aga91 ! ,rat-cat*] always    
has to pay a man to help him4    ,i     
don't call ,rat-cat*+ a trade only3 ,i  
ma9ta9 t x is a  pr(ession1 & "o t      
requires mu* le>n+ & c\rage4  ,i h  f\nd

 ?is out :5 ,i h be5 "u a w>eh\se floor1
 :]e a lot (  ,rats 7 9 ! traps1 & ,i   
c\ld n get "o man out ( #ej to come  "u 
! floor & hold ! c&le = me1 n to m5tion 
help+ me to  take ! live ,rats out ( !  
traps4  ,i j relate ?is because at "s   
places :]e we g & :]e we cat* p]haps #cj
 ,rats1 ! fir/ ?+  !y say :5 ! bill is  
pres5t$ is ,:y1 y h got #aes4 wor? (    
live ,rats6  ,!y don't ?9k ( ! damage   
#cj ,rats c d to fancy  goods1 nor d !y 
consid] ! evil smells t m5 h to tol]ate 
"u ! floors or f ! bad dra9s4    ,i c\ld
 relate _m int]e/+ anecdotes ( :at ,i h 
se5 & he>d  ab\t ,rats1 b ,i fe> its    
p]usal might take up too mu* ( my       
read]s'  "t4  ,!re is1 h[ev]1 "o ?+ ,i w
 m5tion4  ,i d>e say y h  he>d ( ,rats  
runn+ ab\t 9 sw>ms 9 ! night4  ,d n     
believe x4  ,9 my :ole exp]i5ce ,i h    
nev] be5 s =tunate z to meet a  sw>m (  
^!1 :5 ,i h _h an empty cage on my back1
 & an ord]  = #ab doz5 live ,rats at    
#es4 p] doz54  ,:5 trapp+ at f>ms on a  
moonlight night ,i h se5 a tra9 ( ,rats 

almo/ 9 s+le file go+  f a b>n to a pit 
or brook to dr9k1 & !n ,i h simply run a
 long  net all along ! b>n v quickly1   
s5t my dog r\nd ! pit & caught  all !   
,rats 9 ! net :5 !y ran back to get 9 ! 
b>n4  ,= 9  ^! places y mu/ be z cunn+ z
 ! ,rats to cat* !m4  ,!  quicke/ way = 
a f>m] to get rid ( ,rats is to run a   
long trail (  good oatmeal outside 8 b>n
 doors1 & %oot !m on a moonlight night4 
,i h se5 #aa kill$ at a %ot 9 ?is way4  
,!y w /ay eat+ !  oatmeal because !y _c 
c>ry x away4  ,at f>ms or out-h\ses y   
might poison ,rats r\nd a pit or along  
brook sides :]e !y g to  dr9k1 al?\gh ,i
 don't believe 9 poison+1 z "o nev] kn[s
 :]e x  ends--! ,rats be+ likely to c>ry
 ! poison$ food ab\t1 & !n  dogs1 h5s1  
pigs1 pigeons1 etc41 may pick x up4     
,!re may be a few m ways ( cat*+ ,rats  
?an ,i h enum]at$1 b  ,i ?9k ,i h giv5 !
 be/ ways 9 detail4  ,"s p ?9k t to  use
        ,,! ,,mongoose      is v good1 b
 ,i ?9k t ! mongoose is no bett] ?an a  
good fox  t]ri] dog or a good cat1 !    

only advantage 9 ! mongoose be+ t  all !
 ,rats x kills x w br+ back dead to its 
habitation1 & t  /ops ! dead ,rats f    
smell+ "u ! floors4  ,i ?9k t !         
mongoose is n half s sly or %>p z a good
 cat1 & a mongoose1  moreov]1 has to be 
taught h[ to kill a ,rat 7j ! same z a  
dog74  ,i  am =tunate 9 hav+ actually   
se5 a mongoose & a ,rat put alive 9 a   
tub toge!r1 & ! mongoose w\ld n ev5 look
 at ! ,rat4  ,& ,i  ma9ta9 t ! mongoose 
_c comp>e ) ! f]ret anytime1 =  ! simple
 reason t a small f]ret c get any:]e t a
 ,rat c1  :il/ ! mongoose mu/ wait until
 ! ,rat comes out to fe$4  ,=  in/ance1 
if a bo>d ( a floor be left up = a      
mongoose to get "u  ! floor1 x c only   
get into "o ( ! joi/s2 b a f]ret c      
foll[ a ,rat :]ev] x goes4  ,!n aga91 ! 
,rats c smell a mongoose  ev5 m /rongly 
?an !y c smell a cat4  ,s ^! facts      
prev5t my  recomm5d+ a mongoose on any  
acc\nt4  ,i h also he>d ( p  exp]im5t+ )
 diff]5t sorts (        ,,drugs ,,&     
,,*emicals      = entic+ ,rats out ( _! 

holes4  ,i hope none ( my read]s w be   
attract$ ) ?is device4  ,i hold t !re is
 no?+ t w tempt  a ,rat f its hole l    
hung]4  ,! ne>e/ approa* t ,i h f\nd  to
 entice ! ,rod5t out ( its hole is oil (
 anise$ or oil ( rhodium1  b ! latt] is 
exp5sive4  ,i c rely be/ on oil (       
anise$1 because  ,i h (t5 successfully  
tri$ x 9 exp]im5t ^u ! plate ( a set    
trap4  ,i h plac$ only ?ree or f\r drops
 ( oil ( anise$ ^u !  plate ( a set trap
 )\t bait1 & (t5 ! trap has clos$ &     
trapp$ ! ,rat by ! nose2 s t x w be se5 
t ! ,rat mu/  h be5 lick+ ! plate1 or x 
c\ld n be caught 9 t mann]4  ,i  h also 
frequ5tly notic$ :5 ,i h set1 say1 #bj  
traps cov]$ )  meal & sawdu/ mix$1 t if 
,i h put only two drops ( oil (  anise$ 
on half ! traps ,i %\ld f9d next morn+  
on look+ at !  traps t mo/ ,rats are 9  
^? 9 :i* ,i _h plac$ ! anise$4  ,i  ?9k 
t oil ( rhodium & oil ( anise$ are v    
good to drop on !  traps aft] sett+1 or 
to mix ) ! /uff ) :i* ! traps are       
cov]$4    ,!re is also ano!r way ( bolt+

 ,rats4  ,sometimes :5 ! f]ret is  put  
"u a bo>d$ floor1 all ! ,rats w run     
toge!r & pack  !mselves 9 a heap at !   
end ( a joi/4  ,:5 ! ,rats pack         
!mselves on ea* o!r ?us1 ! f]ret on     
rea*+ !m w tackle  only "o at a "t4  ,y 
c always tell :5 ?is happ5s by ! f]ret  
work+ a long "t & bolt+ no ,rats4  ,n[1 
imm$iately y notice  ?is1 put y\r m\?   
ne> ! hole :]e y h put ! f]rets 91 &    
make a squeal+ noise ) y\r m\? to       
imitate a squeal+ ,rat4  ,?is  causes ! 
heap ( ,rats at ! end ( ! joi/ to       
disp]se ?r\gh fe>1  & :5 !y get runn+   
ab\t !y w bolt into ! net4  ,_m times   
,i h n _h a bolt = half-an-h\r & :5 ,i h
 squeal$ at !  hole ,i h _h f\r or five 
,rats 9 ! nets at once4    ,^! are "s ( 
! me?ods ( cle>+ ,rats f v>i\s places1 &
  f exp]i5ce ,i ?9k !y excel all o!rs4  
,,"p ,,ii4  ,,h[ ,,to ,,keep ,,& ,,"w   
,,f]rets4      ,! fir/ necessity 9      
f]ret-keep+ is t !y %all be kept 9      
hut*es or cotes1 z !y are commonly      
call$4  ,c>e mu/ always be  tak5 to h _!

 places well swill$ ) c>bolic wat]1 & !n
  all[$ to ?or\ghly dry be=e :itewa%+ ! 
inside1 :i* is also  ess5tial to keep !m
 heal?y4  ,?is %\ld be done at lea/ f\r 
times  a ye>4  ,always h y\r hut*es     
lean+ f ! wall1 s t wet or  refuse w n  
lodge1 = :5 ! bottom ( a hut* is always 
wet x is  liable to give ! f]rets a     
disease call$ foot rot1 :i* is v        
frequ5t :]e f]rets are neglect$4        
,always keep ! fe$+ "p (  ! hut* well   
cov]$ ) sawdu/4    ,9 fe$+ f]rets = !   
purpose ( ,rat-cat*+1 nev] d s be=e  go+
 out ) !m2 ,i ?9k x is q suffici5t to   
fe$ !m e #bd  h\rs4  ,if y fe$ !m (t5]  
!y are liable to get too fat1 & also    
lazy & unwill+ to "w z !y %\ld4  ,! be/ 
food y c give  !m is bread & milk1 &    
occasionally a little raw liv]4  ,mix ! 
bread & milk ) a little hot wat]1 /ir   
well ) a spoon or squeeze  ?r\gh y\r    
f+]s1 s t ! f]rets w h to eat x :]e y   
fe$ !m2 if n !y w c>ry ! l>ge pieces (  
bread t are wet  into ! corn]s ( !      
sleep+ place1 :i* w\ld soon cause t "p  

( ! hut* to smell v s\r & become        
injuri\s to ! heal? ( !  f]ret1         
especially :]e f\r or five are kept     
toge!r1 z !y are ( a  v p]spir+ nature4 
,always give !m pl5ty ( room to run ab\t
  :5 y c2 if y don't !y are likely to   
take cramp4    ,f]rets are usually      
subject to di/emp]4  ,! fir/ symptom is 
!  f]ret's neglect ( its food4  ,:5 y   
see ?is y w obs]ve a  little matt] at ! 
corn] ( ! eyes1 & ! f]ret w h a  slight 
runn+ at ! no/rils4  ,imm$iately y see  
^! symptoms  sep>ate t f]ret f ! o!rs1 z
 ?is is1 ,i ?9k1 ! wor/  disease "o has 
to cont5d )4    ,9 ! :ole ( my          
f]ret-keep+ exp]i5ce ,i h f\nd di/emp]1 
if  caught 9 "t1 c be cur$2 b if x gets 
too f> ,i "k ( no cure  = x4  ,i h kn[n 
a gamekeep] to h dogs ) ! di/emp]1 &  he
 has n t\*$ 8 f]rets or h&l$ !m at all  
dur+ ! "t 8  dogs 7 bad1 yet a week     
aft]w>ds 8 f]rets caught ! disease4  ,he
  tri$ all ! rem$ies he knew (1 b 9 #ad 
days #ab hi!rto good1  /rong1 heal?y    
f]rets di$3 all he _h4  ,?is w %[ at    

once t  ! disease is v contagi\s4  ,!   
mom5t y see signs ( di/emp]  com+ on fe$
 ! f]ret z little z possible4  ,give x z
 little to  eat z w j keep life 9 x1 = 9
 fe$+ ! f]ret y also fe$  ! disease4    
,:5 y h kept ! food f x is ! "t to />t  
cur+ if possible4  ,n[1 f exp]i5ce !    
fir/ ?+ ,i recomm5d is  to sweat !      
disease out ( x1 & ,i f9d ! be/ way to d
 ?is is z  foll[s3--,get an old bucket )
 a few "o-in* holes bor$ 9 !  bottom1 & 
almo/ fill x ) good new /raw            
horse-dropp+s2 put a  little hay on !   
top ( ! dropp+s1 & !n put ! f]ret on !  
hay4  ,place or hang ! bucket ov] a     
boil] or on ! mantelpiece1 &  let !     
kettle /eam "u ! bucket1 say = #cj      
m9utes1 & y w  f9d ! /eam & ! ammonia f 
! dropp+s w toge!r sweat !  disease out 
( ! f]ret2 !n y c />t fe$+ x aga94  ,fe$
 x  ) some?+ sub/antial1 su* z ! jelly f
 /ew$ c[heels2 give  !m ! jelly only1 n 
! meat2 & y w h a good result4  ,also   
give !m a teaspoonful ( cream4  ,?is is 
! "o & only cure =  di/emp]4    ,ano!r  

disease 9 f]rets1 especially "y ones1 is
 :at ,i call r$  mange4  ,?is />ts      
always "u ! belly1 & y w f9d t !  sk9   
becomes v r$ & speckl$4  ,?is is easily 
rem$i$ by !  simple process ( wa%+ 9    
lukew>m wat] & rubb+ ) sweet oil  &     
black sulphur4  ,! same mixture w answ] 
= foot rot if rubb$  well into ! paws4  
,! g5]al cause ( ?is latt] disease is   
neglect  ( ! f]rets & ! hut*es n be+    
clean$ out regul>ly4    ,i ?9k ! be/    
b$d+ = f]rets is good oat /raw1 fre% e  
=tnight4  ,?r[ ! /raw 9 c>elessly1 & !  
f]rets w make  _! own b$s4  ,:5 bre$+   
f]rets1 nev] g ne> !m m ?an y  c help1 z
 !y are ( a wild nature & liable to     
de/roy _! "y4  ,:5 y "k a ,jill or bit* 
f]ret has "y1 give h] a little extra    
good food1 b don't int]f]e ) ! "y ones  
on any acc\nt1 & if  y want to give h] a
 little extra b$d+ put ! /raw 9 ! same  
place z ! food1 & %e w take x into !    
sleep+ place h]self4  ,x is advisable n 
to t\* ! "y ones = five weeks1 or bett] 
/ill leave !m until !y come out to fe$  

!mselves2 & :5 runn+  ab\t1 if !re be a 
good numb]1 say n9e or t51 9 ! lot1 x is
 a  good plan to remove !m into a l>g]  
place = sleep+1 z "y  f]rets are v      
liable to cat* ! r$ mange1 :i* arises f 
too  _m be+ toge!r & sweat+ v mu*4      
,,:5 ,,work+ ,,f]rets ,,= ,,rat-,,cat*+ 
always "w !m unmuzzl$4  ,make z little  
noise z possible1 z ,rats  are v bad to 
bolt sometimes4  ,nev] grab at ! f]ret z
 x leaves  ! hole1 nor tempt x out ( !  
hole ) a dead ,rat4  ,! be/ way is  to  
let ! f]ret come out ( its own *oice1 & 
!n pick x up v  quietly1 = if y grab at 
x1 x is likely to become :at we call a  
/opp]2 & nev] on any acc\nt =ce a f]ret 
to g into a hole4        ,,:5 ,,work+   
,,f]rets ,,= ,,rabbit-,,%oot+           
always muzzle !m4  ,! old-fa%ion$ /yle (
 muzzle is1 ,i ?9k1 !  be/1 t is1 made )
 /r+4  ,i don't approve ( wire muzzles1 
z  !y are liable to cat* aga9/ tree     
roots & bits ( %>p /ones1 &  f exp]i5ce 
,i f9d ! f]ret works mu* bett] ) ! /r+  
muzzle4    ,!re is "o way ( work+ f]rets

 :5 rabbit-%oot+ :i*1 if  foll[$1 ,i ?9k
 w\ld lead to a bett] day's %oot+4  ,y w
 (t5  see ! f]rets /ick up ) ! rabbits4 
,n[1 9 mo/ cases !  gamekeep] or 8 man  
work+ ! f]rets w (t5 cut op5 a dead     
rabbit & put ! paun* to ! burr[4  ,i q  
agree z to !  desirability ( ?is to get 
! f]rets out1 b ,i say t ! man us+  !   
f]rets ought nev] to t\* ! paun*1 z !   
f]rets w n "w  half s well aft] he has !
 smell ( ! paun* on 8 h&s4    ,ano!r bad
 plan is t ( ?r[+ a dead rabbit into !  
burr[ s  t ! f]ret w foll[ x out4  ,!   
be/ plan is to let ! f]ret  get cle> ( !
 hole1 & !n pick x up quietly4  ,if y w 
break  y\r f]rets 9 9 ?is mann] y w nev]
 h any tr\ble ) !m  aft]w>ds4    ,:5    
f]rets are convey$ ab\t = ! purpose (   
rabbit+1 boxes are  mu* bett] to use ?an
 bags1 z ! f]rets !n get a bett] *ance (
  re/+4  ,if bags be us$ y di/urb !     
f]rets' re/ & position ea*  "t y remove 
"o4  ,take c>e to obs]ve ?is & x w      
result 9 a  good day's sport4    ,always
 take y\r f]rets home z quickly z       

possible aft] a day's "w4    ,f]rets    
kept only = rabbit-%oot+ %\ld always be 
f$ z soon z !  day's "w is ov]1 b !y mu/
 n h m food till ! same "t  ! foll[+    
day4  ,if f$ 9 ?is way regul>ly y w f9d 
t !y  w "w v well4  ,x is also advisable
 to let !m dr9k at a /ream  :5 !y h     
work$ ab\t ?ree h\rs4    ,:5 f]rets h   
be5 fa/ 9 a rabbit burr[1 _! paws may be
 full (  d[n ) scrat*+ at ! rabbits4    
,always remove ?is be=e plac+  !m to    
ano!r burr[4  ,ea* "t y h&le ! f]ret see
 t !  muzzle is alright1 & 9 muzzl+ )   
/r+ great c>e %\ld be tak5  to remove ! 
long hair on ! sn\t f "u ! /r+2 o!rwise 
!  f]ret may exp]i5ce a tickl+ s5sation1
 & n "w s well z x  %\ld2 see also t !  
/r+ is ti$ tightly ar\nd ! f]ret's      
neck2 if n x c easily pull (f ! muzzle )
 its paws4    ,:5ev] a f]ret is sev]ely 
bitt5 by a ,rat ! be/ c\rse to take     
imm$iately y get x home is to ba! ! w\nd
 9 clean luke-w>m  wat]4  ,see t all !  
dirt is remov$1 & !n apply a few drops (
  sweet oil to ! w\nd4  ,repeat ?is e   

f\r h\rs1 until ! w\nd is  heal$1 b     
until !n d n "w ! f]ret le/ m dirt gets 
into  ! w\nd4  ,my exp]i5ce proves ?is  
to be ! be/ way to cure a f]ret  :5 x   
has receiv$ a sev]e ,rat-bite4    ,x is 
also a good plan occasionally 7say once 
a =tnight7 to sk9 a nice  "y ,rat & give
 x to ! f]ret4        ,,suitable ,,dogs4
      ,& n[ a ^w or two z to :at is a   
good dog = wat]side hunt+1 or  work+ ) !
 f]rets4  ,i recomm5d a cross-br$ dog1 b
 ,i f9d t  x is always bett] to h !     
po9t] bre$ 9 x1 :atev] o!r bre$  y get1 
because ! po9t] always has ! nose or    
sc5t4  ,po9t] &  ,air$ale w\ld be v     
good1 or po9t] & ,iri% t]ri]4  ,i h (t5 
notic$ t pure-br$ dogs are n mu* good = 
hunt+ 9 build+s or  riv]s4  ,i h        
frequ5tly se5 a cross-br$ dog /& at "o  
side ( !  riv]1 & if ! w9d has be5 9 8  
fav\r he has w9d$ 8 nose  across ! riv]1
 & ,i h s5t him ov] & he has turn$ a    
,rat out1  bolt$ x into ! wat]1 & kill$ 
x4    ,! be/ precaution to take 9 break+
 a dog to ,rat-cat*+ &  wat]side hunt+  

7especially if x be a puppy7 is to nev] 
all[ anybody  b y\rself to h any?+ to d 
) x1 x be+ ! wor/ ?+  possible to let a 
work+ dog h too _m ma/]s4  ,break x 9 to
 !  f]rets fir/1 & !n x is a good plan  
to g up ! riv] banks1 )  ei!r a dead    
,rat or rabbit sk91 lett+ ! dog play ) x
 = a  :ile1 & !n bury+ x ab\t #ah in*es 
9 ! riv] bank2 or y may  pull up a clod 
& put x "u1 only y mu/ n let ! dog see  
:]e  y place x4  ,!n take ! dog ) y ne> 
to :]e ! rat or sk9  is buri$1 & y w    
soon see t ! dog kn[s its "w4  ,d ?is a 
few times1 & y w see t once ! dog f9ds !
 dead ,rat or !  sk9 x w nev] =get4  ,! 
y\ng] ! dog ! bett]1 ! "r age  to break 
a puppy ?is way be+ ab\t f\r or five    
mon?s4  ,break x 9  = tak+ to ! wat] at 
! same "t4  ,if y want a good work+ dog 
always keep x on ! *a9 :5 at home1 & fe$
 x at ! same "t z  ! f]rets1 b d n      
ov]-fe$ x2 also give x "o dose ( ca/or  
oil  or syrup ( buck?orn e #ad days4  ,i
 recomm5d ?is because y nev]  "k ! na/y 
poison\s /uff t ! dog gets on its /oma* 

f !  dirty brook & riv] sides4    ,let  
me add t all ,i h writt5 ab\t f]rets &  
dogs are n giv5  m]ely f he>say1 b are !
 facts d]iv$ f /udy & exp]i5ce  dur+ #be
 ye>s ( dog & f]ret-keep+4          ,,"p
 ,,iii4  ,,! ,,habits ,,( ,,rats4       
,rats bre$ v quickly4  ,?is ,i h (t5    
prov$ by visit+ a giv5  haunt = _m ye>s 
toge!r4  ,i rememb] an in/ance 9 po9t "o
 ,june1  :5 out ) dog & f]rets4  ,! dog 
made a set "u ! root ( a  tree4  ,i put 
! f]ret 9 & x bolt$ eight "y ,rats1     
ne>ly half  gr[n1 /ill suckl+ ! bit*    
,rat4  ,:5 ! old ,rat bolt$ my dog      
kill$ x1 & :il/ ! dog 0 %ak+ x ,i f\nd  
%e 0 v heavy  9 "y aga94  ,?is1 !re=e1 w
 prove h[ quickly ,rats bre$4    ,ano!r 
result ( my obs]vation may be ( int]e/  
to my read]s4  ,aft]  remov+ a lot ( old
 rubbi% :5 ratt+ ,i came ^u a ne/ ( j-  
born ,rats1 &1 9 curiosity1 ,i cut !    
tails (f ! lot1 & !n put  ! "y ,rod5ts  
back1 leav+ ! ne/ undi/urb$4  ,:5 ,i    
return$  next day1 ,i f\nd ! old ,rat _h
 c>ri$ all h] "y away1 &1 lat]1  ,i f\nd

 ! same tailless lot 9 ano!r "p ( !     
build+1 &1 aft]  di/urb+ !m aga91 ,i    
f\nd ! foll[+ day t ! bit* ,rat _h      
kill$ e "o by eat+ (f _! heads4  ,?is   
de/ruction ( !  (fspr+ ,i h witness$ on 
m ?an "o occasion4  ,! old bit* ,rat    
has always kill$ !m 9 ! same way by eat+
 (f _! heads4    ,i mu/ n =get to tell y
 ( ! "y ,rat's dread ( ! f]rets4  ,i  h 
(t5 se5 :5 ! f]rets h be5 put 9 ! hole !
 "y ,rats  7n _m days old & _! eyes yet 
unop5$7 creep out ( ! hole4  ,?is is a  
pro( t ! smell ( ! f]rets has a t5d5cy  
to bolt  ,rats1 ei!r "y or old4    ,old 
,rats are v bold :il/ suckl+ _! "y4  ,i 
h se5 !m  v v5turesome to get to wat]1 &
 m eag] = wat] ?an = food4  ,i h (t5    
trac$ _! runs a long way = wat]1 &      
notic$ t  :5 cross+ a field to get to a 
pit or riv] !y nev] walk1 b are  always 
on ! run2 & 9 ! summ]1 :5 !y rea* ! pit1
 !y n  only dr9k1 b (t5 swim ab\t4  ,i h
 frequ5tly wat*$ !m  swimm+ on a        
moonlight night1 b !y g5]ally g back to 
!  build+s 9 ! e>ly morn+1 especially 9 

! w9t] mon?s4    ,ano!r habit ,i h (t5  
notic$4  ,take a f>m1 or any place :]e  
!re are _m ,rats1 & x w be always f\nd t
 :5 a ,rat gets  v old x becomes v      
greyi% 9 col\r & r scabb$1 & its  hair  
comes (f1 mo/ly on ! back4  ,! heal?y   
,rats w !n drive !  old ,rat away1 & ^! 
scabby old ,rats may be caught by       
!mselves 9  o!r p>ts ( ! build+s2 &1    
fur!r1 ,i (t5 notice t if !  f]rets are 
bitt5 ) ^! old ,rats1 !y take bad ways4 
,i nev]  put su* ,rats ) ! o!rs nor all[
 my dog to kill !m4  ,i w\ld  advise any
 g5tleman hav+ a dog he values nev] to  
let x t\* "o (  ^! old scabby ,rats1 z x
 may prove injuri\s to ! heal? ( !  dog4
    ,x is surpris+ h[ f> ,rats w travel 
9 ! night4  ,i h trac$  _! tracks f a   
/acky>d ov] two or ?ree fields to a f>m 
to get  to _! food4  ,& y w always f9d t
 !y h "o "t =  fe$+1 :i* is z soon z x  
is dusk1 ! "y ,rats be+ ! mo/           
v5turesome = _! food1 always com+ out   
fir/4    ,rats1 especially /acky>d ones1
 are ( a v clean nature4  ,y w  f9d t   

aft] !y h _h _! fir/ fe$ !y dilig5tly   
wa%  !mselves4  ,^! ,rats fe$ on no?+ b 
good /uff1 su* z :eat1  corn1 & meal2 & 
f exp]i5ce ,i f9d t if a man is bitt5 on
 !  h& by "o ( ^! ,br[n or ,/ack ,rats x
 nev] takes bad ways1 b1  if bitt5 by a 
dirty ,dra9 ,rat1 !n :e!r he caut]ises  
or ba!s !  w\nd is no matt]1 x is sure  
to take bad ways4  ,i ?9k ! reason (    
?is is because ! ,dra9 ,rat1 :5 x _c get
 any?+ else to eat1  exi/s on ! worms & 
slugs1 & ?is1 ,i ?9k1 causes ! tee? to  
become m v5om\s4  ,:5 bitt5 9 ?is way   
blood poison+ is v  likely to ensue4    
,inde$1 y mu/ und]/& t ! tee? ( a full- 
gr[n ,rat are q half-an-in* long1 & !   
jaw is v /rong1 s  t if y are bitt5 on !
 f+] x is almo/ sure to p5etrate to  !  
bone4  ,i h kn[n a good _m cases ( blood
 poison+ ?r\gh ,rat-  bites4    ,!      
damage ,rats c d to prop]ty1            
commodities1 etc41 is almo/  incr$ible4 
,i h _h s _m examples ( ?is t ,i sc>cely
 "k  :i* to submit z illu/ration4  ,i   
?9k ! wor/ case ,i h se5 0  :]e !y gnaw$

 a hole half way ?r\gh a #b-a_/d in*    
lead pipe1 &  (t5 ,i h kn[n !m to bite  
?r\gh a "o-in* lead pipe4  ,! wor/      
damage is done :5 !y get "u ! flag      
floors ( cottage h\ses out  ( ! dra9s4  
,!y scrat* ! soil f b5ea? ! flags1 :i*  
!n  s9k1 & ! consequ5t /5* f ! dra9s is 
abom9able1  jeop>dis+ ! heal? ( !       
t5ants4  ,i h se5 a great _m (  ^! cases
 9 ! poor] p>ts ( ,man*e/]4  ,! damage !
 ,rats w  d 9 ! silk & simil> trades1 to
 ! goods ( m]*ants1 or 9 !  groc]y      
bus9ess1 is enorm\s1 & n s mu* by reason
 ( :at !y  actually eat z by :at !y c>ry
 away1 :i* is (t5 t5 times z mu*  z !y  
eat4  ,i h (t5 prov$ ?is :5 f]ret+ at a 
:olesale  groc]y w>eh\se4  ,:5 we h tak5
 up ! bo>ds betwe5 ! la?s  & pla/] we h 
f\nd ! ceil+ almo/ full ( lump sug>1    
nuts1  c&les1 etc41 :i* h be5 !re =     
ye>s1 ho>d$ by ! ,rats4  ,n[1  ?is all  
means heavy loss1 & t is :y ,i say t any
 bus9ess man s  suff]+ ought to engage !
 s]vices ( a pr(essional ,rat-cat*] once
  a ye> 9 ord] to keep ! ,rats d[n1 &   

cat* z _m z possible  be=e !y beg9      
bre$+4    ,ano!r ,rat habit may be      
notic$ :]e ! ,rod5ts are accu/om$ to h  
_! holes & runs among flags & /ones4    
,if !y f9d any s(t wood  su* z p9e or   
:ite deal1 !y w nibble at x until x is  
eat5  ?r\gh4  ,i h (t5 kn[n !m to eat "r
 ?r\gh ! legs ( tables  9 ! middle (    
cook+ kit*5s4  ,?is1 ,i ?9k1 !y d simply
 to keep  _! tee? clean & 9 ord]2 ,i h  
kn[n half-gr[n ,rats to d !  same4      
,rats c exi/ a long "t on h]bage1 if !y 
c get no?+ m  palatable4  ,x is a v     
common ?+ to f9d ,rats 9 ! rabbit burr[s
  :5 f]ret+2 9 fact1 ,i h se51 n once1 b
 _m times1 ,rats1  rabbits1 & weasels   
all bolt f ! same burr[4  ,i h also     
une>!d a ,rat & a rabbit toge!r out ( "o
 s+le burr[4    ,n[ z to keep+ ,rats 9  
/ore cages at home4  ,look well aft] !m1
 &  ,i ?9k x is possible to keep !m     
alive = q a ye>2 b if y  keep1 say1 #bj 
9 "o /ore cage & neglect _! fe$+11 y w  
f9d  t :5 hungry 9 ! night !y w kill !  
weake/ ( _! numb]  & eat x1 sometimes   

ev5 eat+ two or ?ree 9 "o night1 leav+ !
  sk9 z clean z if a man _h sk9n$ !m4   
,x is always ! be/ plan  to put ! ,rats 
9 diff]5t cages1 accord+ to _! sizes4   
,! "y  ones toge!r1 ! old ones toge!r1 &
 ! middle-ag$ ones toge!r1  z !y keep   
!mselves mu* clean] :5 ?us divid$1 & d n
 fight  s mu* z !y w\ld o!rwise4  ,!y   
mu/ also be kept 9 a w>m place2  if n1  
!y soon h cramp4  ,also keep !m 9 a d>k 
place & see  t !y h pl5ty ( wat]2       
spr9kle !m n[ & !n ) x s  t !y w wa%    
!mselves4  ,x is a/oni%+ :at a hungry   
,rat w  d4  ,i h se5 !m 9 ! summ] at    
dusk run at an old h5 ) h]  *ick5s "u   
h]1 & almo/ z quick z ,i tell x1 ! ,rat 
has  snat*$ a live *ick5 & run ) x "u a 
pig/y floor4    ,i h kn[n !m to take    
half-gr[n "y ducks f ! wat] side4  ,i   
rememb] once f]ret+ r\nd a pit1 ne> a   
b>n1 & :5 ,i put my  f]ret 9 ! hole1 x  
pull$ out two dead *ick5s & ?ree        
middle-siz$ dead ducks1 & beh9d !m1 n m 
?an a y>d deep 9  ! pit bank1 0 an old  
,rat4  ,i h also kn[n !m to get into !  

coops :]e a gamekeep] 0 re>+ 8          
pheasants1 & to kill n9e  "y ones 9 a   
s+le night all f "u ! same h54    ,rats 
are also fond ( eggs4  ,i h read ( _m   
ways 9 :i* ,rats take  eggs1 b 9 my     
qu>t]-(-a-c5tury's exp]i5ce ( ,ratt+ ,i 
nev] saw  ,rats take eggs save 9 "o way1
 & t is1 dragg+ or roll+ !m  along !    
floor ) _! front paws1 until !y get !m  
to ! m\?  ( ! hole4  ,i rememb] "o place
 :]e ,i 0 f]ret+4  ,!re 0 an  old cell>1
 ! door ( :i* at ! top ( ! /eps _h to my
 k  be5 nail$ up two or ?ree ye>s4  ,out
 ( ! h5 h\se ! ,rats _h  eat5 a hole at 
ea* side ( ! cell> door at ! bottom4    
,"o day we  bur/ op5 ! door1 w5t into ! 
cell> 7:]e x 0 impossible = a  h5 to get
 :il/ ! door 0 clos$7 & b5ea? ! bottom  
/ep we  caught two ,rats4  ,on lift+ !  
flag at ! bottom ( ! /eps1 we  f\nd #ae 
:ole eggs1 "s good & "s bad1 all ( :i*  
,i am q  satisfi$ ! ,rats _h c>ri$ d[n  
^? n9e /one /eps6  ,h[ !y _h  done s ,i 
_c expla91 b cont5t myself ) /at+ only !
 pla9  facts ( my own p]sonal           

obs]vation4    ,rats are also v cunn+ 9 
! wat]1 say a pit or a riv]4  ,n[1 a    
,rat c exi/ 9 wat] = at mo/ ab\t sev5   
m9utes1 & y w f9d  :5 a dog is swimm+   
aft] a ,rat t ! ,rat is wat*+ ! dog all 
! "t1 = z soon z ! dog gets )9 a y>d ( !
 ,rat ! latt]  w dive "u wat] & come to 
! surface aga9 ab\t #ae y>ds away4  ,:5 
! dog has tir$ ! ,rat out ) swimm+1 y w 
v (t5 see  ! ,rat dive aga9 & come up v 
quietly & j put its nose out (  ! wat]1 
or re/ its head on a float+ leaf4  ,x is
 s cunn+ t x  w rema9 /ill !re1 & if !  
leaf or re$ gives way x w come  up at ! 
wat] side & j ?ru/ out its nose to      
brea!4  ,by ?is  means ! dog loses full 
sc5t ( ! ,rat4    ,i h also notic$ h[   
useful are ! ,rat's front paws & tail4  
,i h  se5 a ,rat on ! top ( a swill tub 
at a pig/y1 :5 ! swill has be5  ab\t t5 
in*es f ! top ( ! tub4  ,! ,rat 0 too   
cunn+ to  jump d[n on ! wet swill &     
dr[n1 b ,i saw x rea* z f> d[n !  inside
 ( ! tub z possible ) its front paws &  
scrape ! grease  f ar\nd ! sides6  ,i h 

also se5 ! same ,rat1 :5 unable to      
scrape any fur!r d[n ! tub sides1 turn  
r\nd1 clut* ! top ( !  tub ) its front  
paws1 dip its tail into ! swill1 & !n   
ga9 !  top ( ! tub & comm5ce lick+ its  
tail4    ,i h also tri$ an exp]im5t ) ! 
same tub1 :i* consi/$ (  cov]+ ! top ( !
 wet swill ) bran1 :i* float$ on !      
surface1 & plac+ a bit ( lumpy swill 9 !
 middle ( ! bran1 9  ! hope t ! ,rat    
w\ld jump on ! bran 9 ! expectation (   
gett+ at ! swill 9 ! middle4  ,h[ev]1 x 
did n d s1 no d\bt  in/9ctively guid$   
aga9/ ! dang]4    ,i h also wat*$ ,rats 
run r\nd a set wire or cage trap = a    
full  h\r4  ,i h se5 !m g half way 9 &  
out aga91 look at ! bait  & nev] t\* x1 
b g away & nev] return to ! same trap t 
night4  ,^! examples %[ ! cunn+ in/9ct (
 ,rats4    ,!re is1 h[ev]1 "o p[] t !   
,rat is n fav\r$ )1 & ,i am  afraid if  
!y 7 !y w\ld be a great] pe/4  ,x is !  
ability (  high jump+4  ,a ,rat _c1 ,i  
?9k1 jump high] ?an ?ree feet six       
in*es1 & w h to be v hungry be=e do+ t  

to obta9 food4    ,_m p may n "k h[     
fi]ce ,rats are :5 fight+4  ,let me     
in/ance4  ,i h (t5 tak51 "o 9 ea* h&1   
two good ,rats f my  cage be=e a hundr$ 
spectators & set ! ,rats at ea* o!r on !
  top ( a table4  ,to see !m fight w\ld 
be surpris+4  ,!y w fight  l two        
bulldogs4  ,:5 !y h got a grip ( ea* o!r
 ) _!  tee? ,i h tak5 away my h&s1 & !y 
h /uck & %ook "o  ano!r = at lea/       
half-a-m9ute1 al?\gh y mu/ und]/& t !   
mom5t !y are loose ( "o ano!r !y are (f 
if y don't cat* !m  aga94    ,!re are   
sev]al o!r cunn+ ways ( ,rats :i* ,i c  
sc>cely  expla94  ,"o mu/ be among/ !m  
regul>ly to "k _! wond]ful ways  &      
habits4  ,yet ano!r little incid5t1 9   
conclusion1 may be (  int]e/4  ,i once  
call$ at a f>m :]e !y _h be5 ?re%+ a    
:eat  /ack4  ,a ,rat-cat*] _h be5 !re b 
)\t a dog1 & :5 ,i  arriv$ two h\rs     
aft]w>ds my dog made a set1 & comm5c$   
scrat*+  among/ ! old *aff left at !    
bottom ( ! /ack1 & to !  a/oni%m5t (    
myself & ! f>m] ,i pull$ out ( ! hole   

:]e !  dog 0 scrat*+ #gc live ,rats6  ,!
 o!r ,rat-cat*]1 :o _h be5 at  ! ?re%+  
all day1 _h caught only #ad ,rats4  ,?is
 w s]ve to %[  t a ,rat-cat*] mu/ n be  
)\t a good dog4    ,& n[1 respect+ !    
ways & habits ( ,rats ,i ?9k ,i h giv5  
my  read]s int]e/+ & v>i$ illu/rations (
 :at ,i h se5 &  exp]i5c$ dur+ my "t4   
,,"p ,,iv4  ,,life ,,( ,,!              
,,rat-,,cat*]4      ,?is "w w n be      
complete if ,i d n deal ) ! ,rat-cat*]'s
  life4  ,! pr(ession is a peculi> &    
excit+ "o1 b all "r if  pursu$ 9 ! "r   
way4  ,al?\gh ! call+ takes "o into     
dirty &  obnoxi\s places1 !re is no     
reason :y ! ,rat-cat*] %\ld n  always   
appe> respectable4  ,! ,rat-cat*] has _m
 temptations to  di%one/ conducts1 =    
in/ance1 :5 ,rat-cat*+ on a f>m or      
private  e/ate :]e !re are num]\s       
rabbits & game4  ,x looks r h>d  l9es = 
! ,rat-cat*] to come (f a f>m ) 8 cage  
full ( ,rats  & see rabbits runn+ ab\t  
:il/ he has all ! requisites 9 8        
possession = cat*+ !m2 & yet he mu/ n   

t\* "o1 b g home  & m]ely reflect on :at
 a good ,sunday's d9n] he is leav+      
beh9d4  ,?is ,i h exp]i5c$ _m a "t1 b ,i
 h always f\nd ev5 f  ! bus9ess         
view-po9t t ! old advice /ill rema9s    
true1 ,hone/y  is ! be/ policy4  ,leav+ 
! rabbits to !mselves has always turn$  
out to be ! be/1 = to take a rabbit wor?
 a %ill+1 & get caught  9 ! act1 means t
 y c nev] g on ! same e/ate aga94  ,&  f
 t same e/ate y might h got #ejj ,rats 9
 a ye>1 wor? f\r  %ill+s a doz54    ,i  
mu/ also put 9 a good ^w "h = !         
gamekeep]s4  ,my op9ion is  t if y g on 
a keep]'s gr\nd & d :at is "r1 y w be   
able to g aga91 = 9 ! :ole ( my exp]i5ce
 nev] hav+ c>ri$  any nets b ,rat nets  
:5 on private e/ates1 ,i h ! consolation
 (  kn[+ t ,i %\ld always be welcome on 
go+ aga9 to su* e/ates4    ,( c\rse !re 
are inconv5i5ces t ! ,rat-cat*] has to  
put up  )4  ,:atev] engagem5ts he takes 
9 a t[n1 ! only "t he c  cat* ,rats ) a 
good result is 9 ! night4  ,on "o       
occasion1 :5  go+ r\nd ) my bull's-eye  

lamp to exam9e ! traps1 ,i 0 tak5 =  a  
burgl> by ! policeman on ! beat1 & he   
d\bt$ me s mu* t he  w\ld n release me  
until ,i _h %[n him my cage ) ,rats 9 & 
my  traps set all ov] ! place4  ,!n he  
took almo/ z mu* int]e/ 9  ! cat*+ (    
,rats z myself1 & also br\ght 9 ! o!r   
policem5  :o 7 outside wait+ = me to    
attempt an escape4  ,ev] aft] t1  :5 ,i 
_h a night's engagem5t 9 any t[n1 ,i    
always w5t to ! police  /ation to tell !
 man on t beat :]e ,i 04    ,x behoves !
 ,rat-cat*] to be always att5tive to 8  
cu/om]s1  ^?1 ,i mean1 :o want live     
,rats :]e) to try _! dogs4  ,among/  m9e
 ,i h ! hon\r to include cli5ts ( highe/
 rank & position1  b>ri/]s1 magi/rates1 
solicitors & a ho/ ( sport+ g5try4  ,if 
! ,rat-cat*]'s ef=ts comm5d !mselves to 
su* g5tlem51 & he  always ma9ta9s a     
respectable appe>ance1 he w obta9 "s v  
nice  out+s 9 ! c\ntry4  ,(t-times a    
p>ty ( g5tlem5 h s5t = me  9 ! summ]1   
hav+ arrang$ ) me to br+ f\r or five    
f]rets &  ,ratt+ appliances1 & we h gone

 #ej miles up ! c\ntry4  ,!y w\ld  br+  
_! t]ri] dogs1 & we w\ld hunt all along 
! brooks &  riv]s1 & r\nd ! corn & :eat 
fields1 putt+ ! ,rats we caught  into ! 
cage1 & aft] lun*1 tak+ ! ,rats to a    
mead[ & c\rs+  !m ) _! dogs1 :i* ,i ?9k 
x real good sport4  ,we w\ld put up  at 
! be/ hotels & repeat ! proc$ure next   
day1 v (t5 tak+ a  drag or coa*1 & driv+
 t5 or a doz5 miles f>!r up ! c\ntry4   
,i c assure my read]s t ! ,rat-cat*] is 
well remun]at$ = !  tr\ble he und]takes 
9 ^! cases1 & moreov] ?is is ! class (  
p he requires to frat]nise )4  ,!re is  
always a pl5tiful  supply ( refre%m5ts  
on ^! out+s1 & ,i w\ld !re=e advise  !  
,rat-cat*] n to indulge too freely4     
,! =ego+ is1 ( c\rse1 a brief sket* ( ! 
pleasante/ "p ( a  ,rat-cat*]'s life1 & 
to complete ! picture ,i may z well     
describe  "s ( ! o!r features1 & ! way  
he has to r\gh x sometimes4  ,well1     
,rat-cat*]s are g5]ally call$ ^u to     
supply ,rats = ! ,rat  c\rs+s usually   
held at be]h\ses1 etc41 on ,saturday    

aft]noons1 :i*  "o (t5 sees adv]tis$4   
,n[1 if he b9ds himself to supply a     
c\rs+  at a c]ta9 date1 ! bills ann\nc+ 
! ev5t are pr9t$ & po/$1  all ( :i*     
means exp5se4  ,!n y are b\nd to secure 
! live ,rats1  :atev] be ! wea!r4  ,9   
do+ ?is ,i always foll[$ ! ?re%+  ma*9e 
to ! bays & /acks4  7,anyone t cat*es   
,rats regul>ly c  tell by look+ at !    
bays or /acks :e!r !re are _m ,rats 9 or
  n47  ,i rememb] _m times :5 ! m5 h    
/>t$ ?re%+ a bay (  :eat 9 :i* 7 a great
 _m ,rats1 & by d>k !y h ?re%$  only    
half ( ! bay4  ,at su* times !          
,rat-cat*] mu/ n leave !  rema9+ half1  
no1 n = half-an-h\r ?r\gh\t ! :ole      
night1 =  if he does ! ,rats w run out4 
,to /op ! ,rats f leav+1 ! ,rat-  cat*] 
has to lie on ! top ( ! bay or g ab\t e 
?irty m9utes  & beat ! bottom ) /icks   
until daylight1 9 ord] to keep ! ,rats  
94  ,!n1 aft] ! ma*9e re-/>ts1 & !      
bottom ( ! bay is  rea*$1 ! ,rat-cat*] w
 be well paid = 8 tr\ble1 = he may  get1
 say1 #aej good ,rats = ! c\rs+1 at six 

%ill+s p] doz54  ,!  reason ,i call !m  
good c\rs+ ,rats is because !y h n be5  
h&l$1 & t enables !m to run well4       
,n[1 :5 y g to ^! c\rs+s 7:i* are mo/ly 
9 ! colli]y  di/ricts7 y w f9d ab\t #fj 
dogs ent]$4  ,x is ! ,rat-cat*]'s       
bus9ess to measure & h&icap ! dogs1 & a 
v unpleasant job x  is4  ,he has also to
 be ! ref]ee at ^! c\rs+s1 & if x is a  
ne> ?+ ) two dogs runn+ at "o rat1 & y  
decide to aw>d  ! victory to a giv5 "o1 
!n ! own] ( ! o!r dog w probably  accuse
 y ( wrong-do+ & fav\ritism4  ,!n is !  
"t !  ,rat-cat*] has to be prep>$ to    
pull (f 8 coat & />t fight+  be=e1      
p]haps1 #ejj spectators4  ,?is has (t5  
occurr$ ) me4  ,?is1  ,i c assure my    
read]s1 is :at ,i call r\gh+ x4    ,(   
c\rse1 :at ,i h j relat$ occurr$ a few  
ye>s ago1 b :5  ! ,muzzl+ ,ord] came    
into =ce1 ! au?orities practically /opp$
  ,rat c\rs+1 = !y w\ld n let a dog run 
at a ,rat unless ! dog  0 muzzl$4  ,?is 
0 ab\t ! wor/ ?+ t ! au?orities c\ld  d 
= ,man*e/] & di/rict1 = at t "t ,i 0    

supply+ =  c\rs+s ab\t #ajj ,rats p]    
week1 & at ! same "t s5d+ #ej ,rats a   
week into ,york%ire1 & all ! ,rats ,i   
suppli$ 7 caught )9 #ae  miles (        
,man*e/]4  ,?is 9 my op9ion1 speaks v   
bad ( ! ,muzzl+  ,ord]1 :i* ,i ?9k is   
no?+ b a f>ce1 = at ! v "t ,i 0  go+    
ratt+1 dogs 7 muzzl$ 9 "s p>ts ( !      
c\ntry b n 9  o!rs4  ,my op9ion ( dog   
muzzl+ is1 muzzle all or muzzle none4   
,y w see by :at ,i h said respect+ ^!   
c\rs+s1 etc41 t  ! ,rat-cat*] has pl5ty 
( "w to supply s _m live rats1 & he  has
 also to mix ) company high & l[4  ,he  
also sometimes exp]i5ces  difficulties 9
 travell+ on ! railway4  ,i h (t5 ent]$ 
an empty  ?ird-class c>riage1 s5t my dog
 "u ! seat1 & put ! ,rat cage  !re also4
  ,! c>riage w\ld fill ) pass5g]s1 & ^u 
rea*+  my de/9ation ,i w\ld take f "u ! 
seat my cage full ( live  ,rats1 to !   
amusem5t ( "s & ! disgu/ ( o!rs4    ,i h
 also ent]$ a railway c>riage ) my cage 
( rats :5 !re  7 pass5g]s 91 "o or two (
 :om w\ld g5]ally object to live  ,rats 

be+ 9 ! same comp>tm5t1 & on enquir+ ( !
 railway  (ficials1 ,i h f\nd t any "o  
travell+ ) live ,rats is  expect$ to put
 !m 9 ! gu>d's van4    ,i h also _h a   
few good cu/om]s 9 my bus9ess1 "o or two
 9  p>ticul>4  ,g5tlem5 h (t5 s5t me    
po/-c>ds in/ruct+ me to  take six or    
twelve ,rats to _! resid5ces4  ,i w\ld  
run !m out on !  lawn 9 front ( ! h\se )
 _! dogs1 & g5]ally ,i h receiv$  good  
remun]ation = my tr\ble4  ,^! are !     
cu/om]s :o %\ld be  look$ well aft]1 =  
!y are ! sportsm5 :o d n consid]        
exp5se1 ?\gh ( c\rse !re are o!rs :o are
 j ! opposite4    ,fur!r1 ,rat-cat*+ is 
a bus9ess 9 :i* "o is n call$ ^u to     
all[ cr$it4  ,x is all a ready-money    
trade1 & z !re is n mu*  competition1 ! 
,rat-cat*] c comm& a good price = 8 "w4 
,he  has always "o res\rce op5 to him :5
 he has f9i%$ a job accord+  to contract
 7cat*+ say #dj or #ej ,rats71 %\ld !re 
be a dispute ab\t  ! price & ! p decl9e 
to pay ! bill1 !n he has !  exp$i5t (   
lett+ ! ,rats at lib]ty aga9 9 ! place  

:]e he _h  caught !m4  ,mo/ p w pay !   
price y s5d 9 r ?an h  ! ,rats turn$    
loose aga94    ,al?\gh ,i am %[+ h[ !   
,rat-cat*] c always h ! advantage  (    
/ubborn pay]s1 ,i may z well assure my  
read]s t 9 all my  exp]i5ce su* an      
occurr5ce z ! above has nev] happ5$ )   
me1  simply because ,i always make my   
arrangem5ts be=eh&1 :i* c\rse ,i  always
 f9d ! be/ & mo/ satisfactory all r\nd4 
,ano!r matt] ,i may m5tion4  ,if any "o 
c\ld f9d out a sure way (  cat*+ ,rats s
 t he c\ld give a gu>antee to cle> l>ge 
build+s1  my op9ion is t he w\ld make a 
=tune 9 a v %ort "t2 = ,i  "k firms 9   
,man*e/] alone t w\ld pay almo/ any     
am\nt to be rid  ( ! ,rats2 n only      
because ( :at !y consume1 b m = !       
damage !y d to _! goods4    ,i h ref]r$ 
to ! ,rat-cat*] obta9+ good pay4  ,!    
reason he  comm&s su* a big price = 8 "w
 at ! pres5t "t is because  !re is n mu*
 sale = live ,rats4  ,! trade is n :at x
 0 "s  ye>s ago :5 ,rat-pits 7 all[$4   
,i ?9k x 0 "o ( ! wor/  ?+s !y ev] did =

 ?is c\ntry :5 ! au?orities /opp$ !     
,rat pits1 = :5 ,rat kill+ 0 all[$ 9    
pits1 x 0 a common ?+  = a ,rat-cat*] to
 receive an ord] = #ajj ,rats1 all to be
 kill$ at  "o "t2 !n ! ,rat-cat*] w\ld  
get ! ,rats & :]ev] he got  !m f he 0   
ridd+ t di/rict ( a nuisance4  ,b :5 !  
au?orities /opp$ ,rat-pits & ,rat-c\rs+1
 ! consequ5ce 0 t  ! ,rat-cat*] left !  
,rats to bre$ 9 ?\s&s4  ,rats be+ v]m91 
,i don't see :y !y %\ld n be kill$ #ej  
or #ajj at a "t 9 ! pit1  b ! ,humane   
,society ma9ta9 t x is cruelty to dogs  
to put !m 9  a pit ) a lot ( ,rats4  ,i 
don't see :]e ! cruelty comes 91 b  f   
:at ,i h se5 ( ,rat-pits dur+ my "t ,i  
approve ( !m1 & ,i  ?9k if !y 7 9       
exi/5ce aga9 !re w\ld be a cle>+ ( _m   
?\s&s ( ,rats4  ,"s #ae or #bj ye>s     
s9ce1 ,i suppli$ #djj ,rats 9 "o  week1 
all to be kill$ 9 ,rat-pits4    ,_m ( my
 read]s may n und]/& :at a ,rat-pit is1 
& s ,i w  j give an outl9e z well z ,i  
c4    ,! ,rat-pit is ( circul>          
con/ruction1 say t5 feet diamet]1 & ab\t

  f\r feet six in*es deep1 ! sides be+  
p]fectly smoo? to prev5t  ! rats climb+ 
up & mak+ _! escape4  ,a c]ta9 numb] (  
,rats  are plac$ 9 ! pit accord+ to !   
arrangem5ts made ) ! own]  ( ! dog4  ,!n
 ! dog is put 9 ! pit ) ! rats to kill  
!m1  :i* a good dog does v quickly4     
,! reason ! pit is built circul> is s t 
! ,rats w keep  runn+ r\nd1 = if x 7    
squ>e !y w\ld all run 9 a corn]1 "o  on 
! o!r1 & !n ! dog w\ld h no difficulty 9
 kill+ !m4  ,x is bett] to h ! pit      
fairly deep2 if n1 ! rats might escape4 
,i ?9k ! be/ dog1 )9 my recollection1 t 
,i h se5 0 a bull  & fox t]ri]1 :i*     
kill$ #dj good ,rats 9 ?ree m9utes & #ba
  seconds4  ,i h read & he>d ( dogs do+ 
bett] feats1 b ,i am only  writ+ ( :at  
,i h myself se54  ,i may say t ! records
 = ,rat-  kill+ 9 ,rat-pits are held by 
a dog call$ ,jacko1 :i* kill$ #bjj ,rats
  9 #ad m9utes & #cg seconds1 & #a1jjj  
,rats 9 less ?an "o h\r & #dj  m9utes4  
,! ,rat-cat*] has also "s v dirty jobs  
to d sometimes4  ,(t5 he  has to g "u   

all sorts ( cell> floors1 bo? wet & dry1
 b !  majority ( places are v wet &     
dirty1 = ! ,rats ne>ly always  come out 
( "s fil?y dra91 & v (t5 ne> a          
wat]-closet1 !  abom9able smell aris+ f 
^! places be+ suffici5t to cause a      
fev]4    ,i rememb] be+ once employ$ at 
a hospital1 & ,i 0 paid at ! rate  (    
#es4 p] visit = trapp+ ,rats4  ,well1 ,i
 f\nd t #es4 p] visit did  n pay me 7,i 
_h ab\t #abj traps set all ov] ! place71
 s ,i w5t  be=e ! committee & reque/$   
#hs4 p] night4  ,! committee said  !y   
?\ght #es4 p] visit 0 en\gh1 & "o or two
 ( !m said !y  ?\ght #hs4 p] night 0    
above a ,rat-cat*]'s pay4  ,n[1 z ,i 0 n
  dep5d+ on t p>ticul> job at ! "t1 ,i  
turn$ r\nd & told  !m :at ,i ?\ght4  ,i 
told !m ,i consid]$ ,rat-cat*+ 0 a      
skill$  occupation1 & ,i also (f]$ any (
 !m a five-p\nd note if !y  w\ld only   
foll[ me "u ! floors at midnight1 n to  
speak ( tak+  ! live ,rats out ( ! traps
 9 ! d>k2 b ,i c assure y t  none ( ^!  
g5tlem5 w\ld v5ture to und]take ! task4 

,n[1 if any ( ^! g5tlem5 _h to d ?is a  
few times !y w\ld n  refuse to pay !    
,rat-cat*] ! sum he asks1 viz41 #hs4 p] 
night4    ,i rememb] m ?an once 9 big   
places su* z bond+ w>eh\ses1 :5  ,i h   
be5 "u ! floors1 my c&le or lamp has    
gone out ?r\gh  be+ knock$ ov] ) grabb+ 
at ,rats1 & ,i h n _h a mat* 9  my      
pocket1 & h _h to grope ab\t 9 ! d>k    
try+ to f9d !  trap-door :]e ,i h got "u
 ! floors1 m (t5 ?an n putt+  my h& 9 a 
set trap4  ,x w\ld be ( no use %\t+ = a 
light simply  because ,i h be5 alone4   
,x is always bett] = a ,rat-cat*] to h  
assi/ance = night "w1 b ,i h done x     
myself v (t54    ,n[1 ! exp5ses (       
travell+ come v heavy sometimes1 = :]ev]
  ! ,rat-cat*] goes he always has to pay
 railway f>e = himself &  8 dog4        
,ano!r ?+ ,i mu/ tell y4  ,(t5 :5 ,i h  
gone to inspect a small  build+ ,i h    
f\nd t !re 7 a great _m ,rats 91 b ,i h 
also kn[n1 aft] inspect+ ! place1 t !y h
 all come f !  "o place1 out ( ! dra94  
,well1 if ,i h contract$ to d ?is job  =

 a lump sum1 ,i c\ld easily cle> ?is    
place & n cat* an odd ,rat1  simply by  
f]ret+ !m all back into ! sew] 9 !      
daytime1 & !n  mak+ x good2 b 9 mo/ ( ^!
 cases !y d n l to pay y\r  bill because
 y h caught no ,rats4  ,/ill1 y h driv5 
!m all  d[n ! dra9s1 & aft] mak+ ! dra9 
good !y _c get back  aga9 into ! build+4
    ,n[1 9 a case l ?is ,i always trap  
!m two or ?ree nights & cat*  a few1 j  
to give satisfaction to ^? engag+ me4   
,sometimes g5tlem5 w write invit+ me to 
meet !m at a c]ta9  f>m1 & br+ my f]rets
 & a good supply ( nets1 alleg+ t !re   
are hundr$s ( ,rats 9 ! /acks4  ,i j    
relate ?is to indicate h[  anyone n     
regul>ly among/ ,rats c easily be       
deceiv$ z to _!  numb]s1 = a c\ple (    
,rats on ! ?at* ( a /ack1 especially :5 
!y h "y ones1 w probably h twelve holes 
eat5 9 ! ?at*  & und]nea? ! /ack1 &     
anyone n und]/&+ _! habits w\ld  ?9k !re
 7 a lot ( ,rats 9 x4    ,& x is mu* !  
same ) workpeople2 if !y *ance to see   
two or  ?ree ,rats at once1 !y w say !re

 are scores ( !m4  ,y w\ld  also be     
surpris$ to see ! awful dread t t5ants h
 ( ! ,rat-  cat*] 9 private h\ses4  ,:5 
f]ret+ ^! places !y ?9k t  if a         
,rat-cat*] has once put 8 f]rets "u !   
floor !y w nev]  see ano!r ,rat 9 !     
place2 b dep5d ^u x !y are v bad to     
cat* 9 ^! places4    ,i h (t5 _h mu*    
tr\ble respect+ h\ses1 w>eh\ses1 etc41  
to  "k ^: duty x w\ld be to pay !       
,rat-cat*] = 8 "w1 !  l&lord's or !     
t5ant's1 b ,i ?9k t ! l&lord %\ld pay4  
,i  h _h _m engagem5ts to cat* ,rats 9  
newly-built h\ses be=e !y  7 t5ant$4  ,!
 "t ! ,rats get into ^! places is :il/ !
  workm5 are putt+ ! dra9s 9 ! back     
y>ds1 leav+ ! dra9s op5  at nights4     
,!nce ! ,rats come out & get "u !       
floors1 sometimes  hav+ to /op !re1 too1
 simply because ! next day ! jo9]s bo>d 
up ! floors & ?us block ! ,rats 9       
und]nea?1 & !n ! ,rats  c always get    
into ! kit*5s up ! back ( ! fireplace4  
,mo/  prop]ty own]s w\ld d well to take 
note ( ?is fact4    ,i mu/ tell my      

read]s1 especially ^? hav+ l>ge %ops1   
etc41 t  x is a good plan1 if possible1 
to turn (f ! gas & wat] e night  &      
week-end1 = ,i h se5 a good _m cases :]e
 ! ,rats 9 !  night-"t h eat5 ?r\gh a   
wat]-pipe1 & ! place has be5  flood$ by 
morn+4  ,x is j ! same ) a gas-pipe1 &  
my op9ion  is t x is q possible = fires 
to be caus$ by ,rats 9 ! night-  "t4    
,rats are v fond ( nibbl+ & scrat*+ at  
s(t wood1 & x  w\ld be an easy matt] at 
a groc]'s %op = a ,rat to bite or scrat*
  ?r\gh ! package ( a gross ( mat*es &  
ignite !m1 & ! same  cause may prove    
disa/r\s ) any o!r inflammable goods4   
,respect+ ! conveyance ( live ,rats1 !  
,rat-cat*] %\ld always be  p>ticul> to h
 good /rong cages & bags1 because if he 
_h a numb]  ( ,rats 9 an uns]viceable   
bag :i* happ5$ to break op5 at a railway
  /ation or 9 ! /reet1 ,i ?9k he c\ld be
 summon$ = ! damage !  escap$ ,rats     
might d4  ,/ill1 ,i h n 9 my "t _h or   
he>d ( a  case ( ?is sort4    ,speak+ ( 
bags1 a good _m p seem to ?9k t if a man

 puts 8  h& into a bagful ( ,rats !y w  
bite him1 b ,i c assure y t  a *ild c\ld
 d ! same ?+ & n be bitt54  ,%\ld !re be
 only  two or ?ree 9 ! bag1 !n !y w     
bite1 b n 9 ! ev5t (  !re be+ a good    
numb]4  ,! same rule applies to ,rats   
/or$ 9 a  cage1 :]e !re is op5          
daylight--if !re be #dj or #ej ,rats    
toge!r1  x is !n ! habit ( ! ,rats = all
 to cl+ toge!r1 & !y w  let y h&le !m   
anyway if only y w h suffici5t c\rage4  
,x is v good sport = g5tlem5 :o want a  
good day's out+ to g to  f>ms :5 ?re%+  
is on1 & also to g hunt+ & f]ret+ r\nd  
! corn & :eat fields1 & ,i ?9k _m sport+
 g5tlem5 :o h  n se5 su* sport w\ld     
indulge 9 x freely aft] !y _h once      
witness$ x4  ,i ?9k x is mu* bett] &    
heal?i] sport ?an rabbit-  %oot+1       
especially 9 ! summ] :5 ! f>m]s are     
cutt+ _!  corn & :eat4    ,:5 cat*+     
,rats z a regul> pursuit1 "o is surpris$
 at ! que]  places 9 :i* he f9ds !m4  ,i
 recollect f]ret+ sev5 full-siz$  ,rats 
f "u ! floor ( a built dog k5nel n above

 f\r y>ds  squ>e1 :]e a l>ge ma/iff & a 
t]ri] dog slept e night1 only a         
#c_/d-;in* bo>d divid+ !m f ! ,rats1 & !
 ,rats hav+ eat5  holes ?r\gh ! bo>ds 9 
! k5nel6  ,i h also f\nd at an  out-h\se
 an old bit* ,rat & n9e "y ones 9 an old
 t9 trunk  )\t a lid4  ,i h also caught 
,rats & tak5 "y ones out ( !  ne/ f "u  
railway sleep]s :]e tra9s h be5 runn+ & 
%unt+ op]ations c>ri$ on e day4  ,& ,i h
 ev5 tak5 old &  "y ones 9 _! ne/ f a   
pile ( ,*e%ire *eese1 at a :olesale     
*eese & bacon factor's6    ,& m5tion+   
*eese 9 ?is connection rem9ds me t once 
,i  discov]$ t ,rats _h scrat*$ & eat5 a
 hole direct ?r\gh !  bottom lot ( *eese
 9 a pile :i* _h only be5 !re ?ree      
weeks4    ,a ^w or two ab\t :at a ,rat w
 d ) a f]ret4  ,i h (t5 se5  a ,rat run 
a f]ret out ( ! hole1 & !n wait ) its   
head out (  ! hole until ! f]ret has    
come to x aga94  ,i rememb] once  f]ret+
 at a h5cote1 & put ! f]ret beh9d ! h5  
ne/1 :]eupon  ! ,rat attack$ ! f]ret1   
:i* !n jump$ back & di$ 9 five  m9utes1 

! ,rats hav+ giv5 only "o bite beh9d !  
f]ret's e>6  ,(  c\rse ?is is a v r>e   
occurr5ce4  ,true1 ,i h _h _m f]rets    
kill$ by ,rats 9 my "t1 b x has always  
occurr$ ?r\gh !  poison\s bite fir/     
swell+ & !n tak+ bad ways1 ! f]ret  dy+ 
9 probably a week or s4    ,y mu/ und]/&
 t if y put a ,rat & a f]ret toge!r 9 a 
tub  ! f]ret w\ld kill ! ,rat 9 n9e     
cases out ( t51 ! nature ( !  ,rat be+  
to get away f ! f]ret if possible2 b if 
x _c x  w fight1 & ,i ?9k a ,rat1 = its 
size1 is ( a v vici\s nature1  = ,i h   
(t5 se5 :5 try+ a puppy at kill+ a ,rat 
9 a pit1 t  a game ,rat w run ! puppy   
all r\nd ! pit4  ,! be/ way to try a    
pup to kill a ,rat is to draw ! tee? ( !
 fir/ ,rat x secures =  sometimes if a  
pup gets a sev]e bite f a ,rat x w nev] 
look at  ano!r4  ,x is a v bad plan to  
let a pup play ) a ,rat too mu*1  = ?is 
causes ! pup nev] to put a h>d m\? on ! 
,rat4  ,:5 ?is  latt] occurs x is ! be/ 
plan n to all[ ! same pup to see  ano!r 
,rat until x is a mon? or two old]4  ,if

 y w take c>e &  tr\ble ) a pup y c br+ 
x up to y\r own lik+1 & to d  any?+ y   
want4  ,i h work$ sev5 ye>s ) a         
curly-coat$  retriev] bit*1 & :5 f]ret+ 
a brook %e w\ld /& 9 ! wat]  & cat* !   
,rats t escap$ f ! nets into ! brook &  
br+  !m to me alive 9 h] m\?4  ,i h sold
 hundr$s ( ,rats %e has  caught 9 ?is   
mann]1 & to %[ y h[ ! dogs c be br\ght  
up  ) ! f]rets ,i ne$ only m5tion t ?is 
bit* w\ld lie d[n &  let two f]rets kill
 a ,rat on ! curly coat ( h] back4      
,f>m]s "k too well ( ! _m re/less nights
 ! c[s & horses  exp]i5ce ?r\gh ,rats4  
,i h se5 :5 trapp+ all night at a f>m  !
 ,rats runn+ ov] ! c[s & horses :il/    
sleep+3 & :5  horses h be5 work+ 9 !    
field all day !y want bett] re/ 9  !    
night4  ,i h kn[n :5 f>m]s w\ld n let ! 
,rat-cat*]  f]ret _! build+s gratis1    
simply because !y h a few h5s  sitt+4   
,!y don't consid] t :5 ! h5s h hat*$ !  
eggs  ! ,rats w take ! *ick5s4  ,:5ev] a
 f>m] has refus$ to let me  f]ret at 8  
f>m ,i h pass$ t f>m ev] aft]w>ds4  ,to 

%[ y  ! diff]5t dispositions ( f>m]s ,i 
h met1 ,i may m5tion t :5  once f]ret+  
at a f>m1 we caught n9e rats & lo/ !    
f]ret1 &  two days aft]w>ds ! f]ret 0   
f\nd on ! f>m1 & ,i s5t = x1  b ! f>m]  
dem&$ two %ill+s ( me = ! f]ret's keep4 
,?is  same man ,i may add f>m$ ab\t two 
hundr$ acres4    ,( c\rse1 !re are o!r  
f>m]s j ! opposite1 :o w n only  pay y =
 y\r tr\ble1 b take great int]e/ 9 help+
 y to cat*  ! ,rats4  ,i relate ^! facts
 & incid5ts to %[ y ! contra/ 9  !      
disposition ( diff]5t p "o meets 9 ?is  
bus9ess4    ,i don't ?9k ! ,rat-cat*]'s 
life is "o ( ! wor/ if he looks well    
aft] 8 bus9ess1 = he has a few          
advantages ov] o!r occupations4  ,9 !   
fir/ place1 he is 8 own ma/]1 & ne$ only
 d(f 8 coat  :5 he *ooses1 !re be+ = him
 no su* summons to "w z a factory  bell4
  ,& if he fancies a day's out+ 9 !     
c\ntry he c always take  8 dog & f]rets 
) him1 & make a day's pleasure into a   
remun]ative bus9ess1 by reason ( !      
income f ! ,rats1 & ,i f9d  f exp]i5ce t

 ! be/ fri5ds he has are 8 dog & f]rets1
 if  he w look well aft] !m & treat !m  
k9dly1 = ,i ?9k t a  ,rat-cat*] 9 !     
c\ntry )\t a good dog might walk ov]    
scores (  ,rats & nev] "k !y 7 !re1 s y 
w see t 8 dog is  *iefly :at he has to  
tru/ to4    ,& n[1 9 conclusion1 let me 
express ! hope t ?is book w prove       
in/ructive1 ent]ta9+1 & pr(itable to my 
read]s1 inasmu* z ,i  h endeav\r$ to    
make x s to ! be/ ( my ability & )9 !   
some:at limit$ scope & sph]e ( a        
,rat-cat*]'s call+4  ,( c\rse1  ,i might
 h made ! n>rative portion ( ! book m   
/>tl+ &  excit+1 _h ,i drawn ^u my      
imag9ation1 b ,i h ?\ght x be/ to  adh]e
 to cold fact & actual exp]i5ce4        
,,h9ts ,,on ,,rabbit ,,%oot+4           
,always h y\r gun made at y\r gunmak]'s 
to y\r own lik+4    ,always be prep>$ = 
! wor/ ( wea!r1 & be sure to h good     
/rong boots4    ,nev] h y\r gun on full 
cock :ile walk+ ab\t1 especially :il/   
go+ ?r\gh a f5ce4    ,nev] /& too close 
to a burr[1 & don't be too eag] to %oot4

    ,always h y\r gun po9t$ upw>ds to ! 
cl\ds or d[n to ! gr\nd4    ,nev] %oot  
at a rabbit z x sits on ! top ( ! hole1 
or y might  %oot ! f]ret4  ,always /& s 
t all ! %oot]s c see "o  ano!r4    ,nev]
 remove f :]e ! gamekeep] places y4     
,nev] h y\r gun b>rels up :ile x is     
ra9+4    ,:5 y g out 9 ! c\ntry always  
provide y\rself ) refre%m5ts  be=e />t+4
    ,if y miss an easy %ot don't blame !
 gun4    ,don't be too excit$1 & get    
well on ! rabbits be=e y pull4    ,if ! 
keep]'s dog is retriev+ rabbits nev]    
attempt to take "o f  x4                
,,au?or',s ,,notes4      ,,ike ,,mat!ws 
is prep>$ to g out ,ratt+ ) p>ties (    
g5tlem5 or  _! gamekeep]s on _! private 
e/ates dur+ ! summ]1 supply+  dog1      
f]rets1 & nets1 at mod]ate *>ges4       
,arrangem5ts may be made by  po/4       
,,ike ,,mat!ws is also will+ to g out   
rabbit-%oot+ ) g5tlem5  dur+ ! season1 &
 w supply & "w f]rets at reasonable     
*>ges4  ,he is also prep>$ to break dogs
 & puppies to f]ret+ &  ,ratt+ on       

reasonable t]ms4    ,any numb] ( live   
,rats & rabbits suppli$ at a few days'  
notice4    ,all ord]s promptly att5d to4
             ,und5iable ,ref]5ces4      
,y\rs truly1                            
,,ike ,,mat!ws4