450 REPORT ON TREES NOT LIABLE TO BE DESTROYED BY RABBITS. 



Tenth, The elder, though as a hedge it is now seldom planted, 

 yet on account of its entire exemption from the attacks of rabbits 

 (and probably all other animals), it is on that account alone 

 entitled to a more important place than it now occupies. 



Eleventh, The box-tree, though not employed as a common 

 hedge plant, is yet at times planted as a hedge for ornament, 

 about the shrubbery and other places exposed to rabbits. For 

 any such situation it is well adapted. The writer has never 

 observed it injured by rabbits, though exposed to a large stock 

 of them during severe snow-storms. The box-tree may therefore 

 be planted under exposure to rabbits with perfect safety. 



Twelfth, The butcher's broom, though not suitable as a hedge 

 plant under ordinary circumstances, is yet at times made to 

 occupy such a position, and, when placed on the top of a face 

 wall or other eminence, it looks well, and has the important 

 merit of being " distasteful to rabbits." 



The preceding list embraces most plants grown as hedges, and 

 a few others seldom so grown ; but to that list might still be 

 added some plants which might form hedges, and at the same 

 time remain uninjured by rabbits. Such plants, however, will 

 be enumerated under another head. 



Another class of plants, equally important in their place (the 

 shrubbery), deserves special notice ; but those plants already 

 named as hedge plants, though equally appropriate for the shrub- 

 bery, will not be again recognised. 



First, The raspberry, which is very excellent cover for phea- 

 sants and other game, presents no appearance of being eaten. 



Second, The bramble, which, while it resembles the rasp, like 

 it is exempt from injury by rabbits, hence is entitled to certain 

 situations in the woodland where pheasant cover is wanted 



Third, Ivy being a favourite plant, and one which delights 

 the eye both in summer and winter, is all but exempt from the 

 attacks of rabbits. Its leaves they can scarcely be induced, 

 even through hunger, to eat. Its young wood they refuse, and 

 it is only the bare stem, as it clasps the trunk of the stately 

 tree, and when the gnawings of hunger are very keen, that they 

 bark it. 



Fourth, Honeysuckle is a favourite plant with all admirers of 

 nature. It renders fragrant the dell, the grove, and the garden, 

 and is also much employed in trellis-work, both in the garden, 

 the shrubbery, and in the policies. In the latter places it is 

 much exposed to the injuries inflicted by rabbits, and it is very 

 satisfactory to know that they seldom or never injure it. 



Fifth, The spirsea is never injured to any extent. During 

 severe weather the extremities of the side branches are slightly 

 nipped, but it scarcely appears conclusive that any of it is actually 

 eaten as food. 



