CHAPTER XLIV. 



SUPPRESSION OF INJURIOUS ANIMALS AND BIRDS 



The beasts of the field and the fowls of the air are sometimes 

 such grevious trespassers upon the fruit plantation that protection 

 has to be sought against them. The animals which figure in this 

 evil work are mainly species of rodentia, some of them burrowers ; 

 as, for example, the ground-squirrel and gopher; others, surface 

 dwellers, like the hare or jackass rabbit. Occasionally there is in- 

 jury done by deer in the orchard and vineyard, and coons in the 

 melon patch, but these larger animals may usually be left to the 

 hunters and dogs. 



RABBITS 



Though there are three species prevalent, none are burrowers. 

 This fact has led to united efforts at their suppression by driving 

 them with mounted horsemen, from a wide stretch of country into 

 a narrow, fenced enclosure, where they are killed with clubs. Dur- 

 ing the last few years tens of thousands have been killed in this 

 way, and comparatively few are now found in the localities where 

 the method has been adopted. Still, however, there are plenty at 

 large to vex the planter, and he must protect himself against them. 



Rabbit Fences. The surest protection against rabbits is a fence 

 which prevents their entrance, and many miles of such fence have 

 been built in this State. Several styles prevail. The ordinary 

 board fence, with the boards running horizontally, is made rabbit- 

 proof by placing the lower boards close together, with openings of 

 but about two inches between them. A barbed wire, with barbs 

 about two and one-half inches apart, can be used to advantage by 

 running it along at or a little below the surface of the ground to 

 prevent scratching under. 



The cost of board fences has led to the use of barbed wire and 

 woven wire fencing, the styles of which can be seen in all fruit- 

 growing sections. 



Smears Distasteful to Rabbits. Where the expense of a fence 

 can not be assumed, measurable protection can be had by sprinkling 

 the leaves or smearing the stems of plants with substances distaste- 

 ful to the animals, which are quite dainty in this respect. Com- 

 mercial aloes, one pound to four gallons of water, both sprinkled 

 on leaves and painted on the bark, gives a bitter taste, which repels 

 rabbits. A tea made of steeping quassia chips is said to produce the 

 same effect. Rancid grease, bacon rind, liquid manure, putrescent 

 flesh or blood, have all been used as a daub for tree trunks, and have 

 been approved. This prescription has been approved: 



Kill a rabbit, take an ax and mutilate the entrails and foreparts in a 

 mess. Put this into a can with a gallon or more of water. Let it stand 



