12 MARCH 1932, Page 17

Most people have noticed the multitude of rats that flour-

ished after the wet summer ; but the ways of the beasts have been as unsatisfactory as their numbers ; and strangely enough, mice and birds have been conspicuous for similar malpractices. The nose of the rat for particular delicacies is remarkably keen. A scientific horticulturist some years ago was making control experiments with a particular variety of pea which lie planted at fixed intervals along a row of less remarkable peas. The rats went along the row, dug up all the special peas, but (lid little harm to the rest.