Ch. XLII.] ON RABBITS. 533 



than those in a wild state, AVith sucli nourishing food they are fattened 

 in about tliree montiis; but their flesh, though white and deh'cate, is not 

 esteemed equal in flavour to those which are wild. 



Warrem, U not connecied with farms, have at least always some arable 

 land attached, from which fodder can be produced for the rabbits ; and, as 

 their manure is valuable*, a portion of the warren is annually ploughed up 

 for turnips ; then spring corn and seeds; after which it is again thrown out. 

 They are found to return a large per centage on the capital emjiloyed ; but 

 the animals ai-e so destructive of fences and growing crops, that the land 

 on which they are maintained appears in a state of desolation ; and they are 

 sucli notoriously bad neighbours, that, however profitable they may be, they 

 are considered as a public nuisance, and efforts are constantly made to anni- 

 hilate them. IMany of the warrens have been therefore abandoned; but as 

 they are still in some degree an object of speculation, we annex an extract 

 from the account of some large ones given in the Survey of Lincolnshire. 



A buck serves one hundred does, which go to buck the day they bring 

 forth their young. The common winter stock is three couple per acre, and 

 the produce five or six couple killed. New land is however more produc- 

 tive than old warrens; and on 250 acres of worn-out sainfoin turned into 

 a warren, 2000 couple were for many years killed ; leaving about 700 

 couple on the ground : and it was reckoned that they would annually clear 

 100/., besides paying the rent. Turnips, clover, and sainfoin hay, are the 

 most proper kinds of food in winter, and thrashed oats or barley is some- 

 times given in severe seasons, provided the snow be not deep enough to 

 cover tlie corn. In severe storms, liowever, turnips are preferable, as the 

 animals can find them by their scent, and will scratch the snow ofl" when 

 covered; and it will "require two large cart-loads, or else a load of hay a 

 dav to fodder such a breeding-stock as that above mentioned. ' 



There are several species bred by amateurs in a domestic state, hut 

 those kept in the warrens are seldom otherwise distinguished than as the 

 silver sprig, or the grey. The silver skins are the most valuable, but the 

 grey rabbit is so much hardier that if a warren be stocked with both, there 

 will, in a few years, be nothing but greys. They are of different shades of 

 colour, according to the period of the year at which they are producedf ; but 

 they all come in season, — both skins and carcasses, — about the second 

 week in November ; from which time, until Christmas, they are killed. 

 Among the skins there are, however, a great many of what are technically 

 called '' half skins," " quarter skins," and " racks;" sixteen of which latter 

 are only allowed for as one skin. 



The period during which they are in full prime being tlius so short, vast 

 numbers are sent to the metropolis, where the carcasses are sold, wholesale, 

 for a mere trifle — seldom averaging more than fourpence a couple. They 

 are forwarded in light spring carts, and, being necessarily packed close 

 in order to save expense, they must be promptly sold, as they very soon 

 become putrid. Considerable expense being incurred by warreners for the 

 repair of fences and for the destruction of diflerent kinds of vermin, as well 

 as for protection from poachers (which, if not vigilantly watched, would soon 

 depopulate the warren) ; the jirice of the skins, being also partly dressed 



* It is sold in the country at Cxi. per bushel ; and a man at Aylesbury, who has 140 

 breedin;;; does and 10 bucks, says that bucks and does together, with the young, make 

 24 bushels of dung per week. Buckinghamsh. Rep., p. 330. 



f Those bred about May-day undergo no change from their white colour, hut from a 

 u'fiile rack become a whole skin ; bred at Lady-day, become black ; in June, white ; in 

 July, black 5 and in November, white again." Lincolush. Rep-, p. 429. 



