A song called 'The Furze Field' from the Hammond & Gardiner collection has a verse which mentions ferrets:

"I have got a warren, my own dearest jewel,
Where all my fine rabbits do play,
And if you comes a-ferreting when ferreting's in season,
I'll tell you, love, how to proceed,
You bring your dog with you, your ferret in your hand,
Your spade and your nets all at your command,
And the ferret will bolt, and the rabbits will play,
And it's down to the bottom, and that's the right way."

People often snigger when this song is sung - can't think why!

The song is in the collection, 'Marrowbones', ed. Frank Purslow (EFDSS, 1965). I believe that there is a new edition of this out, but I haven't seen it.