Rats have been a problem for human life for centuries. Suffolk farmers offered a bounty of 2d per head, which in 1828 would provide a good living. At that rate, it would be worthwhile to breed them, on the quiet, of course.
‘RATS.–The Bury Post says, ” The quantity of rats with which this neighbourhood is infested has become a very serious evil. The fields and hedge-rows swarm with these noxious vermin, and their ravages in the new-sown wheat and the turnips have been very considerable. Upon one farm near this town not less than two thousand have been killed, and upon another eight hundred since Michaelmas. It is the common practice of Suffolk farmers to offer a bounty of two-pence each for rats, to all who may choose to bring them, and at this rate a number of persons have found ample employment. In consequence of the dryness of the Autumn, the vermin have not yet taken shelter in the barns ; but when they do, the mischief they will occasion, unless materially reduced in number, must be immense. One cause of this plague, for such it may be termed, has been the wet summer, always favourable to the multiplication of the species ; but a still greater cause is the destruction of stoats, weasels, polecats, and other animals naturally preying on the rat, for the purpose of preserving game, which thus becomes doubly injurious to the produce of agriculture. As a proof of the extraordinary fecundity of these animals, we are assured that on the premises of Mr. Norman, of Culford, one rat was killed in its nest of 12 young ones, and on opening it 13 more were found in the inside.’
Stamford Mercury, 28th November, 1828.