Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1892 — Turning Rats to Good Service. [ARTICLE]

Turning Rats to Good Service.

Of all living things rate seem to bo the moat, repulsive, writes Lord Playfair. And when dead what can be their use? But even they are the subjects of production in the Industrial arts. In Paris there is a pound surrounded by walls, into which all dead carcasses are thrown. A large colony of rats has been Introduced from the catacombs. The rata are most useful In clearing the flesh from the bones, leaving a cleanpolished skeleton fitted for the makers of phosphorus. At the base of the wall numerous shallow holes are scooped out, just sufficient to contain the body of the rate, but not their tails. Every three months a great battue takes place, during which the terrified rate run into their holes. Persons go round, and, catching the extending tails, pltoh the rats into bags, and they are killed at leisure. Then begins the manufacture. The fur is valusble and finds a ready sale. The skins make a superior glove, and are especially used for the thumbs ot kid gloves, because the skin of the rat is strong and elastic. The thigh bones were formerly valued as toothpicks for clubs, but are now out of fashion; while the tendons and bones are boiled up to make the gelatine wrappers'for bonbons.