very liable to catch the red mange, which arises from too
many being together and sweating very much.

WHEN WORKING FERRETS FOR RAT-CATCHING

always work them unmuzzled. Make as little noise as possible, as Rats
are very bad to bolt sometimes. Never grab at the ferret as it leaves
the hole, nor tempt it out of the hole with a dead Rat. The best way is
to let the ferret come out of its own choice, and then pick it up very
quietly, for if you grab at it, it is likely to become what we call a
"stopper;" and never on any account force a ferret to go into a hole.

WHEN WORKING FERRETS FOR RABBIT-SHOOTING

always muzzle them. The old-fashioned style of muzzle is, I think, the
best, that is, made with string. I don't approve of wire muzzles, as
they are liable to catch against tree roots and bits of sharp stones, and
from experience I find the ferret works much better with the string
muzzle.

There is one way of working ferrets when rabbit-shooting which, if
followed, I think would lead to a better day's shooting. You will often
see the ferrets stick up with the rabbits. Now, in most cases the
gamekeeper or his man working the ferrets will often cut open a dead
rabbit and put the paunch to the burrow. I quite agree as to the
desirability of this to get the ferrets out, but I say that the man using
the ferrets ought never to touch the paunch, as the ferrets will not work
half so well after he has the smell of the paunch on his hands.

Another bad plan is that of throwing a dead rabbit into the burrow so
that the ferret will follow it out. The best plan is to let the ferret
get clear of the hole, and then pick it up quietly. If you will break
your ferrets in in this manner you will never have any trouble with them
afterwards.

When ferrets are conveyed about for the purpose of rabbiting, boxes are
much better to use than bags, as the ferrets then get a better chance of
resting. If bags be used you disturb the ferrets' rest and position each
time you remove one. Take care to observe this and it will result in a
good day's sport.

Always take your ferrets home as quickly as possible after a day's work.

Ferrets kept only for rabbit-shooting should always be fed as soon as the
day's work is over, but they must not have more food till the same time
the following day. If fed in this way regularly you will find that they
will work very well. It is also advisable to let them drink at a stream
when t