ItErORT ON TREES NOT LIABLE TO BE DESTROYED BY RABBITS. 447 



Second, To make a slit on the side or even in the centre of 

 tufts of heath, grass, or other herbage, carefully put in the plant, 

 covering the herbage all around, as if no derangement or dis- 

 turbance had taken place, and thus secure the plant against the 

 destruction of its enemies. The top only being exposed, which 

 has little attraction at that age, being passed by on the first visit, 

 is never again so liable to destruction, save during a protracted 

 snow-storm, when it appears a few inches above the surface of 

 the frozen snow. 



The work of planting is best either to be done in the end of 

 September and October, or delayed till April ; the latter month 

 is preferable. In spring, the winter's severity is over ; and as 

 soon as fresh shoots of grass appear, the rabbits are thereto 

 attracted, and thereby the plants escape for at least one season. 

 If possible, the planting of larch should be delayed till spring, 

 at least if the ground is bare, as the plants, if at all conspicuous, 

 are all but certain to be eaten the first or second night after 

 planting. After the middle of May scarcely any further damage 

 occurs (to evergreens at least) till a severe storm occurs the suc- 

 ceeding winter. 



Rabbits, like all other animals, have a greater preference for 

 some sorts of food than for others ; and while some sorts they 

 covet and seek after, others they dislike and shun. Upon this 

 hypothesis the Highland and Agricultural Society have invited 

 reports. Not only has the rabbit a preference for one descrip- 

 tion of food over another, but has a stronger affinity for one class 

 of plants at one season of the year than at another. Whether it 

 is that winter severity whets the appetite or imparts a certain 

 flavour to the food, or both combined, is neither easily ascer- 

 tained nor of much importance to the present subject to know. 

 This much, however, is self-evident, that many plants are eaten 

 in winter which are despised in summer, and many are devoured 

 during winter frosts which are passed by in open fresh weather. 



The following are the rates per acre at which the work of 

 planting under a head of rabbits is efficiently executed : — 



5000 1-year seedlings 1-year bedded Scots pine, 



at 4s. 6d. per 1000, . . . L.l 2 6 



Two men and one boy planting the above, . 10 



Carriage of plants and incidental expenses, . 2 6 



L.l 15 



As already stated, pitting is incompatible with growing a crop 

 of trees under a head of rabbits, and the same may be said of 

 trenching ; yet there is much ground where the breaking up of 

 its surface is of primary importance. In order to secure the 

 benefits resulting from pitting, and yet avoid breaking the turf, 



