The premises around the poultry house should be cleared of all rat harbors by elevating all objects under which a rat can find shelter. (Fig. 14.) Near-by buildings particularly should be considered, for it is frequently found that rats living exclusively on poultry feed occupy harbors 50 or more feet away from the food source. For this, reason it is desirable to build poultry plants at least 100 feet from any possible rat harborage. The vast number of young chicks killed annually by rats would be greatly reduced if these simple precautions were taken. [Illustration: 13740C Figure 13.--Rat proofing a poultry house by laying a concrete floor] OTHER FARM STRUCTURES There are many farm buildings of various kinds that should be made proof against rats. In most cases, however, the application of the general principles of rat proofing, as previously explained, will suffice. Not only should all buildings in which food is kept be made inaccessible to rats, but adjoining and near-by buildings and premises as well. The procedure to be followed in the case of farm dwellings is omitted here, as sufficient is included under the next heading, Rat Proofing City Buildings, the conditions with respect to dwellings on farms and in towns being quite similar. Outside cellars frequently become infested with rats, and great havoc to stored produce almost invariably results. Considerable expense, if necessary, is justified in making the storage cellar rat proof. A cellarway with wooden steps and sills and earth floor is usually the source of the trouble. The sill soon rots or the rats burrow under it to gain entrance. The remedy is to construct a concrete floor and cellarway. This not only will exclude rats but will prove more economical in the long run. (Fig. 15.) [Illustration: 7651-C Figure 14.--Coop built up off the ground, rather than with the floor resting on the ground and thereby affording rats a desirable hiding place.] [Illustration: Figure 15.--A, Cellarway before rat proofing; B, cellarway rat proofed] RAT PROOFING CITY BUILDINGS In rat proofing a city building it is well first to look to the exterior. If the locality is heavily infested with rats, some are almost certain sooner or later to find their way into the building however well protected against them it may be. Garbage and trash usually comprise the bulk of the rats' food supply. A metal, water-tight garbage can, large enough to contain all garbage accumulations between collections and having a close-fitting lid (fig 1), is of prime importance and should be required in all cases by city law. [Illustration: B2008M Figure 16.--An accumulation of trash such as this Is almost certain to attract rats and should be prohibited by law]