Originally published in Manchester 1898, this rare early work on rat
catching and control is both expensive and hard to find in its first
edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have now republished it in an affordable,
high quality, modern edition, using the original text. Ike Matthews was
a well known pest controller in his home town of Manchester over 100
years ago. His services were much in demand by local corporations,
railway companies and merchants. This book details his extermination
methods acquired over some twenty five years as a full time rat catcher.
During this period he not only studied the different and the best
methods of catching rats, but also took great interest in their ways and
habits. The book's sixty four pages contain ten detailed chapters: - How
to Clear Rats from Warehouses, Offices, Store Rooms etc. - Trapping. -
Ferreting. - Drugs and Chemicals. - How to Keep and Work Ferrets. -
Distemper in Ferrets. - Working Ferrets. - Suitable Dogs. - The Habits
and Natural History of Rats. - Life of the Rat Catcher. - Hints on
Rabbit Shooting. This is a fascinating read for all with an interest in
the countryside and its wildlife. The pest controller and gamekeeper,
both amateur and professional, will also find much of the information
contained in these pages still useful and practical, even today. Many of
the earliest sporting books, particularly those dating back to the
1800s, are now extremely scarce and very expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS
are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern
editions, using the original text and artwork
