STUDIES IN THE ART OF RAT CATCHING - With Additional Notes on Ferrets and Ferreting, Rabbiting and Long Netting By H.C. Barkley This fascinating book was first published in London 1911, with the writer relating his experiences as a professional rat and rabbit exterminator during the late 1800's. The book was written primarily as a guide to the rural art of vermin control for pupils of English public schools such as Eton, Harrow and Rugby. Despite the books title as much of the content is devoted to ferrets and rabbit control as it is to rat catching. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have now re-published this historical record using the original text and illustrations. 196 pages contain 10 chapters detailing such varied subjects as: - Ratting Tools. - Ferrets and Ferreting. - Learning Dog Language. - Rabbit Catching. - Long Netting. - Ratting Days. - Ratting Dogs etc. Although almost a century has passed since its first publication this excellent title is recommended for inclusion in the library of all true countrymen. 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.

My publisher writes to say that he, and he thinks others too, would like to know how I ever came to write such a book as this It came about in this way. Some two years ago, I was about to leave England for a considerable time, and a few days before starting, I went to stay in a country house, full of lads and lassies, to say good-bye. One evening, while sitting over the study fire, the subject of rat-catching came up and, as the aged are somewhat wont to do, I babbled on about past days and various rat-catching experiences, till one of the boys exclaimed, "I say, what sport it would be if they would only teach rat-catching at school Wouldn't I just work hard then, that's all " The stories came to an end at bed-time, and I was then pressed by my hearers to write from foreign lands some more of my old reminiscences, and I readily gave a promise to do so. In this way most of the following stories were written; and in writing them, I endeavoured to carry out the idea that they were exercises to be used in schools. I don't anticipate that head-masters will very generally adopt the book in their schools; but I hope it may, in some few instances, give boys a taste for a wholesome country pastime. The characters and incidents are rough, very rough, pen and ink sketches of real people and scenes, and the dogs are all dear friends of past days.

This fascinating book was first published in London 1911, with the writer relating his experiences as a professional rat and rabbit exterminator during the late 1800s. The book was written primarily as a guide to the rural art of vermin control for pupils of English public schools such as Eton, Harrow and Rugby, but still holds much information that modern readers will find of practical and relevant use today. Despite the books title, as much of the content is devoted to ferrets and rabbit control as it is to rat catching. 196 pages contain 10 chapters detailing such varied subjects as: Ratting Tools. - Ferrets and Ferreting. - Learning Dog Language. - Rabbit Catching. - Long Netting. - Ratting Days. - Ratting Dogs etc. Although almost a century has passed since its first publication this excellent title is recommended for inclusion in the library of all true countrymen. Many of the earliest sporting books, particularly those dating back to the 1800s, are now extremely scarce and very expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.