RATS AND MICE IN ESSEX. 123
It is quite easy to believe that the stack seemed positively alive with
mice, as was asserted.
Rats have been commonly reported as coming and going quite
mysteriously, appearing in large numbers on a certain homestead
all at once, and in other cases disappearing as suddenly—the same
occurring in the hedgerows and fields. Much damage to pea and
bean plants when sown in the spring was complained of, owing to
the rats removing the seed. Mr. Taber had a large field of kale
which, in the winter, was suddenly attacked by rats, eating out the
pith ; they quite spoiled part of the field, and then as suddenly dis-
appeared, to be found, however, in a neighbouring stack of Mr. Wake-
lin's, where between 200 and 300 were killed. The rat being a
murivorous animal, it is not often that any numbers of rats and mice
together are found in the same stack ; the smaller mouse is the
more destructive species, as it spoils so much more than it requires
for its own maintenance,—not so the rat.
Even our bargemen have been troubled with the rat plague, and
they have a wholesome dread of getting this animal on board. If
such is suspected a supply of fresh water is at once provided for them,
as it is only through two two-inch planks to the water outside, and
a rat is sure to find the way through this thin partition if long
imprisoned. Lately a valuable cargo of guano was spoiled and a
Maldon barge nearly sunk, owing to the existence of a rats' hole in
the vessel. One barge-captain related how the rats at certain wharves
would come on board, and in one instance he had to arm himself
with the mop and knock them off into the water as they came
along the warp one after the other.
Other members may be able to give further details and add to
this account of the plague of rats and mice in Essex. I must,
however, say a word or two as to its cause.
I have heard four different causes suggested, in all of which there
is probably some truth. Locally, for preference, certainly comes the
Rabies (muzzling of dogs) Order of 1889 of the Board of Agricul-
ture ; then the number of derelict or uncultivated farms in the county
which have been supposed to provide happy breeding-grounds.
Advertisements for stoats and weasels for export to Australia and
New Zealand have appeared in our newspapers, and with these
worth five shillings each, it is quite possible that the natural enemies
of rats and mice have been unduly interfered with. The almost
complete extermination of kestrels and owls has gone on unchecked