The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-05-20
CATS PRO rECTING THE CITY.
A Retired Ratcatcher's Opinion OF Mr..
Bergh's Iden OF killing on The Cats.


"If it wasn't for the cats Tho rats would be
40 thick in this city that we couldn't live here.
Bergh's idea of killing all the cats is nonsense.
I'm agin it. although can't say but as how it
would help tho business. But | couldn't wish
other people no such harm rs Tint"
This was said by Mr.. Thomas Fullerton, n re-
tirod ratcatcher as he picked UP II largo gray
rat with pair OF tonGs. and he'd it squeaing
In the air.
Rats is all -,ihe. People talk OF the sewer
rat. the house rat the Norway rat. but they're
all the same thing. There's no difference be-
tween them. They all come from tho sewers
In the frat place and II II house il tight at the
bottom. ana 40 holes from tho sewers. tho rats
won't get in"
How do you catch rats ?" asked the reporter.
Its all done on scientific principles. There
il great deal OF nonsense told about catchin.
rats Some mon claim to have powers OF
charming rats. and some say that they uso an
oil or liquid on their hands which prevents tho
rats from biting them, 1t is al untrue This
Fullerton was still hol1In-; the Old rat in his
tongs He whjsk,d tho RI, up unI ,s his arm,
mannuyre un,iI tho belly Of ne rat laid evenly
and held the rat in position by The pressure Of
his arm. Siding his hand oyer the rats back.
bite hun although 1t sunirmad and squealed
vigorously. Pulling down its lower Jaw no
showed the two long. narrow fangs set closely
together ,,..,., ,
| he said. The first bite don't amount To much.
and it is only when tho teeth close with . sec
| ond pressure that there is trouble That drives
roots comes Off in the wounds. have had my
| arm swollen clear up To the shoulder by "A small
bite on the hand. But Il rat won't bite unless
YOU brighten him."
| How do you clear house Of ratsP',
the rats out but | cant keep them out II il
| has a hard foundation. hunt out al the holes
leading from tho sewers and stop them up with
escaping You sec, a rat is a ways on the move.
made the cellar tight. / find the runways by
These are generally along lead pipes in the
.on ray b wa o run w lead pne rs ensy Is
81 thsiT feet e' on the runway. f nah he smal
and grease the outside. Now, . rat can't run
II can't get at the runways find the holes.
and fix this wire door on 1t. You, see, it is made
together BY crossbars, and sharpened at the
ends. This is suspended by the top over a rat
it il up and yet Though. but he can't 20 back.
e. the gate falls and tho sharp points prevent
slides that the rats viii all be led into one
| room In the basement. There they are secure
| ly caught, M they cannot possibly get out. l
90 among them with dark lantern and pick
|. them up with my tongs. l can catch them rs
| quickly rs u cat would u mouse. IL they get in
places where / can't reach them shoot them
with this long target pistol; ] use these little
target cartridges. and II kills them every time.
When the rats got In ceilings / smother
| them out with cayenne pepper. have fumi-
gator here which works like an air pump.
burn rod pepper in IL and pump 1t into tho
ceiling The rats cant stand that and they
than ferret, as ferrets arc expensive and the
handle II th"y bs y"m o mtS s your have h
pry their Jaws open When ! want to catch
rats for dogs set traps. First remove every
thing out OF their way, 80 that they will get very
hungry. Then set the traps. Then | have
another way Of catching them. wear rubber
shoes into u slaughter house at night an i
carry dark lantern; move softly about and
catch the rats with tho tongs before they hay.
u chance to get away In this way / have
caught l93 rats in two hours and halt, II yoy
over got bitten by a rat. put tho wound in hot
water and make II bleed. Then battle il with
! arnica or spirits Of turpeptipe."