Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-08-13

correspondent of the Country Gentleman,
is about the size of common ground squir-
rel. The tail is shorter than the body, and
the ears are broad and rounded. The color
above is dark yellowish brown; beneath,
ashy. The head and body measure six inch
es in length. This is the common wood and
field rat of the South, being found abund-
antly in all the States south of Virginia,
and westward into Mexico. 1t is nOctur-
nal species, although seen abroad att all hours.
1t digs shallow burrows in the ground, often
is inhabited by single family. This rat
builds nest Of grass, or at times of cotton
hence its name-and brings forth from four
to six young several times during the year.
The young attain their full growth in less
than five months. 1t runs rapidly, and is
an excellent swimmer and diver, like the
wood rats, generally. This is gregarious
species, large numbers being always found
near together. They make beaten paths,
which may be found leading in every di-
rection in old fields where the rats are nu-
merous.
1t does little or no damage to the planter,
being more of an inhabitant of WORKOUT
fields and woods than Of cultivated grounds,
and 1t is rather friend than an enemy of
the agricrlturist. 1t feeds upon the seeds of
various STdSSeS, dUu ttlSO upOll
NAL food. Clay fish, various insects, wound
ed birds and rats and mice, all enter largely
into its dietary. 1t will kill a Florida rat of
twice its size in a few seconds and so pug
nacious is it that in captivity it will destroy
every rat and mouse put into its cage, and
even weaker individuals of its own species.
1t is also very fond Of eggs, and destroys
numbers of nests of the quail and other
birds which build their nests upon the
ground.
The cotton rat has host of enemies to
keep down its numbers, several species OF
birds and mammals feeding almost eXclu-
sively upon it in the States in which it is
common. All the carniverous animals prey
upon it and all the Weasels are it's inveterate
foes. Hawks of many species, especially
the marsh hawk, feed largely upon it, and
it feeds the young of all the large owls found
ly captured in wire, steel or box traps the
traps should be baited with piece of meat,
or the head of fowl, and be set overnight;
but the destruction ofthis rat, except in rare
instances, is worse than useless, the animal
doing far more good than harm to the farm
er. 1t breeds readily in captivity, and be-
comes tame in confinement, and familiar
with those who feed and caress it.
MAKING A MULE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
wall Jackson was never known to let pro-
family pass without rebuke but once.
The incident was reported by the chief ac-
tor in it, Major John A. Harmon, who was
Jackson's chief quartermaster, and man
of extraordinary qualifications. 1t happen
ed at Edwards Ferry, on the Potomac,
in the Antietam campaign. Maj. Gen. ID.
H. Hills division was crossing, when Jack
son rode up and found the ford completely
blocked with Hill's wagon-train. He spoke
to Hill (who was his brother-in-laW, they
having married sisters) for allowing such
confusion Gen. Hill replied that he was
nOta quartermaster, or something that I'M
piled it was not part of his business to get
tangled wagons out of the river.
Jackson instantly put Hill under arrest,
and turning to Maj. Harmon, ordered him
to clear the ford. Harmon dashed in among
the wagoners, kicking mules, and the appar-
emily ineXtricable mass of wagons, and, III
the voice of Stentor, poured out volume
of oaths that would have excited the ad-
miration of the most scientific mule-drlVer.
The drivers were frightened and sWore as
best they could, but far below the Majors
standard. The mules caught the inspira-
ton from chorus of familiar words, and
all at once made break for the Maryland
shore, and in five minutes the ford was
cleared. Jackson witnessed and heard it
all. Harmon rode back to join him eX-
pecting lecture, and, touching his hat,
said 1"The ford is clear, General. There's
only one language that will make mules
understand on hot day that they must get
out of the water" The General, smiling,
said: "Thank you, Major! !and dashed in
to the water at the head of his staff.
THE FIGHTING INsTINcT IN MAN.
There is not the slightest certainty that any
invention, however terrible, would put an
end to war; while there is almost certain
ty that if such an invention were perfected,
it would grievously increase the woes of
mankind. Taken in the lump, men will
face any means of destruction whatsoever,
if also they possess it themselves. Give
two men pistols, and they will fight across
a handkerchief. They are not afraid of
death, but only of death without a chance
of victory. King Theodore, of Abyssinia,
asked his courtiers, when the rocket sticks
fell at his feet, if he could be reasonably eX-
pected to face things like those, and ulti-
mately, in pure despair of defeating science