20 JANUARY 1917, Page 15

(To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR.") SLR,—I am very

glad to see that an endeavour is being made to get as much food out of the ground as possible, and I think now would be a very suitable time if the farmers and small-holders would try to destroy the vermin which do so much harm to the crops, &c. We may probably have snow and very severe weather, and in this case poison could be put down in the case of rats in their holes without danger to other animals. I hope this matter will be widely taken up by your readers.—I am, Sir, &c.,