354 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Avith thorn because of certain superficial resemblances in size, general 

 outline, color, and pola<ie. Damage cau>e(l by moles has been, as in 

 other years, closely associated with the work of mice, which fre- 

 quently follow the mole runways. This damage by moles is often 

 very serious, particularly in light sandy situations, where their lift- 

 ing up of the surface soil injures the roots of plants and permits 

 them to dry out, resulting in their death. The Townsend mole, the 

 distribution of which is limited to the coast counties of Washington, 

 Oregon, and northern California, has been destructive in vineyards, 

 gardens, hay meadows, and lawns through its habit of burrowing 

 near the surface of the ground and piling up mounds of dirt on the 

 surface. Trapping moles with specially designed traps has proved 

 to be the most practical way of combating them. Information re- 

 garding suitable traps and trapping procedure has been disseminated 

 through bulletins and the press. 



The value of moleskins was established among fur dealers through 

 efforts of the Biological Survey, and methods of trapping the animals 

 and preparing their pelts for market have been widely demonstrated 

 throughout the infested territory. These demonstrations were con- 

 ducted in cooperation with the public schools, the State extension 

 services, and other agricultural agencies. Many successful boys' and 

 girls' clubs were organized to trap moles and prepare their pelts for 

 market, for the combined purpose of ridding the land of a pest and 

 obtaining profits from the sale of the skins. As a result large num- 

 bers of these animals have been taken and their pelts marketed at 

 good prices. Reports received from leading fur dealers indicate that 

 the number of American moleskins marketed during the year showed 

 an increase of approximately 20 per cent over the preceding year, 

 representing a value of about $60,000 for the raw furs. 



PRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC RABBITS. 



By the development in this country of a w^ell-sustained interest in 

 the production of domesticated rabbits there has been a rapid increase 

 in the number of people who are raising them and in the number 

 of animals produced. Many of the animals are used for home con- 

 sumption, as the meat compares favorably with that of the domestic 

 fowl and possesses high nutritive value. '^Eabbit meat has also come 

 to be a popular item on the menu of hotels and restaurants wherever 

 its good qualities have been demonstrated and an adequate supply 

 can be furnished. 



The cost of rearing rabbits is so low that they have been found a 

 profitable adjunct to other lines of farm production. Many extensive 

 plants have been established to raise them for the larger city mar- 

 kets, and great numbers also are being produced in the back yards of 

 citv residences. The pelts of these animals also have considerable 

 value for felting and other manufacturing purposes. There has been 

 a marked increase in the quantity of rabbit skins marketed and in 

 the use of these skins by manufacturers of hats and of trimmings for 

 coats and other w^eariiig apparel. They are used in their natural 

 color and are also clipped and dyed in imitation of more expensive 

 grades of fur. 



National and State rabbit breeders' associations are now well organ- 

 ized and are working actively for the development of the rabbit 



