The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-08-08
.Tarnl al,N GarDen.
Chlorine for Rnrs:

"A correspondent of the Turf, Field and Farm
gives the following "At the commencement of
TINS season had number of very choice and
'aiuaoie pigeons In large loft situated over
coach-house and stable. The flooring was
very oid, and numerous rat holes communicated
WIN tne space under the flooring and above the
ceiAng OF the stabling below. Attracted by the
corn' the rats came and took possession of this
space. My choicest birds were eaten alive by
these most carnivorous Of the rodentia. 1 was
In despair. l had tried poison, traps. ETC., with
only partial benefit, and had serious thoughts
OF selling off my stock of Columbidaa and taking
TO eagle owls, bull terriers, skunks, opossums,
orsome animals TO which rats are not obnoxious
AT last after deep cOgitaton determined to try
chemical remedy-namely, chlorine, a gas so
potent and destructive to animal life that knew
that, IL could apply it advantageously, it must
necessarily prove sffectual Fortunately, it is
much heavier than atmospheric air, SO there was
every probability of3its flowing down the holes
II 1t once entered into them. I therefore took
Florence oil flask. adapted piece of glass tubing
10 Its meuth by means Of a perforated cork, and
TO the glass added ashort length of india-rubber
tubing. In the flask put an ounce of Manganese
and an equal weight Of common salt, poured on
wineglass OF water, and then added gradually
an equal quantity of strong oil of vitriol (sul-
phuric acid) The cork and tubes being adjusted,
"PPoiotuS was IOr action. ~ bplTlL
lamp applied to the flask liberated stream Of
chlorine, gas which, if breathed, except when
diluted with many thousand times its bulk of air.
Is absolutely irrespirabe.
"All the rats holes having been covered over
one after another was opened the india-rubber
tube introduced, and stream of Chlorine direct
cd down each. The space between the floor and
ceiling must have been filled with a mixture Of
chlorine and air that no one could have breath.
ed and lived Since that time 1 have seen no
rats Old and young have alike disappeared
Should stray adventurer make his appearance
shall repeat my inexpensive remedy and am
now congratulating myself on having for the
present at least, extirpated the enemy.
IL would suggest that in those instances in
which crickets, ants, cockroaches, etc. are con-
cealed in places where they are difficult of dis.
Judgement, the chlorine treatment might be ap-
plicable.
Il am aware that the weak odor Of chlorine
given out by chloride Of lime has been success.
fully employed in driving away insects; but no
animals OF any kind could withstand the action
OF the gas liberated in quantity as I have de-
scribed. l may state that chlorine is prepared
with equal readiness from mixture of Manganese
and hydrochloric acid spirits Of salts salt
not being required when this acid is used 1t
may also be liberated in large quantity without
the necessity OF applying heat, by pouring any
acid on chlorid Of lime but in this case the ey.
olution of gas is sudden and unmanageable,
SO that the plan il not a. we'll suited for the
purpose as either Of those in which Manganese is
used"