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I have some other, rather more ancient, tomes like the 5-volume "Amateur
Mechanic" from the 1930s (where "mechanic" means "diy-er") and the
fabulously Pythonesque "The Practical Man's Book of Things to Make and
Do", which must be of similar vintage. Useful topic like:

I've got "Enquire within upon everything" from 1900 - with a recipe for
rat poison.

TO DESTROY RATS

The following recipe originated with Dr. Ure and is hightly recommended
as the best known means of getting rid of these most obnoxious and
destructive vermin. -Melt hog's-lard in a bottle plunged in water,
heated to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit; introduce into it half-and-ounce
of phosphorous for every pound of lard; then add a pint of proof spirit,
or whisky; cork the bottle firmly after its contents have been heated to
150 degrees, taking it at the same time out of the water, and agitate
smartly till the phosphorous becomes uniformly diffused, forming a
milky-looking liquid. This liquid, when cooled, will afford a white
compound of phosphorous and lard. As the spirit spontaneously seperates,
it may be poured off and used again for the same purpose. This compound,
on being warned very gently, may be poured out into a mixture of wheat
flour and sugar, incorporated therewith, and then flavoured with oil of
rhodium, or with oil of aniseed &c. The dough, being made into pellets,
is top be laid into rat holes. Being luminous in the dark it attracts
their notice, and being agreeable to their palates it is readily eaten,
and proves certainly fatal.
Note. -Chloride of lime is a good preventative, as rats have an extreme
aversion to it.

Scary - phoshorous bombs for rats.

--
Skipweasel
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.