Fig. 3. Fig. 4.
Mole trapping is very seldom practiced, except by professionals, who besides the blood money generally awarded on the production of each mole’s tail, make a very nice little amount by selling the skins. Still there is nothing difficult about mole catching, and the most stupid boy could render himself successful if he observes a little and follows the directions I am about to give. First, then as to tools, which are indispensable when one is out for a day’s trap-setting. [Fig. 3] shows an implement which at A consists of an iron heavy spike which is used for making holes for the insertion of the spring stick of the trap to be described presently. B is the wooden haft—ash is as good as any; C is a sort of spatula or little spade for digging into a mole run. [Fig. 4] shows a light hatchet or a rather long handle for cutting hazel or ash-spring sticks, pointing them, etc.
Fig. 5.
Now as to the traps themselves. [Fig. 5] shows the iron trap, usually sold with galvanized uprights and claws. A indicates the spring which, on the mole by placing its head in the circular orifice of B releasing the latter, closes the claws to, killing the mole instantly. B, of course, is a movable tongue of the shape shown at C, and ought to be tied to the body of the trap in case the mole should by any means escape, pulling the tongue (C) after it. This is, of course, a very neat kind of trap, but a dozen of them would come expensive, and besides, I do not prefer them in actual practice on a large scale, as they are by no means so likely to be viewed without suspicion by the mole as are the homespun traps I am going to describe.
Get a strip of wood (deal is as good as anything) about six inches long by four broad and half an inch thick, like D, [Fig. 6]. Bore nine holes in it, four for the reception of the ends of two half circular hoofs of wood shown at A, and four smaller ones for the two wires at A2 A2 to pass through. One largish hole is made in the center, and through this passes a cord with a knot at the end (C). B shows a piece of wood cut like a little spatula with a somewhat blunt handle or head (see B2). This tongue is placed against the knot when the spring hazel stick E is in position as in [Fig. 7]. I want you to look carefully at [Fig. 6] because it very nearly explains itself.
Fig. 6.
The whole apparatus is buried in the ground in the run of a mole, and fastened down by sticks stuck athwart and across, as shown at [Fig. 7]. The stick E is thus kept in position by the knot C and the tongue B and B2. When a mole passes through the circular loops at A A it hits its nose against B and knocks it out, releasing the knot C, which in turn releases the bent stick, up this flies, and one of the wires A2 are bound to catch the hapless Talpa, compressing it so strongly as to kill it almost instantly.