The Wild Rabbit Warrens. 177 



pasturage, will mostly be found fairly supplied with rabbits 

 on the greater portion of their extent. Indeed, so evident 

 is their suitability, that many are already being turned 

 to good account for the purpose we suggest. 



If the ground selected be of rather a hillocky character, 

 so much the better, for then the rabbits will soon adapt 

 themselves to the circumstances, and begin burrowing in 

 good earnest ; but if, on the other hand, this is not so, and 

 it is necessary to produce the inequalities required, it is 

 essential that the work be accomplished in a complete and 

 satisfactory manner. The mere throwing up of mounds 

 of earth and a corresponding formation of depressions, 

 apparently the most efficacious receptacles for rain water, 

 is not satisfactory. First of all, the slope of the ground 

 at the highest point or points of the proposed warren must 

 be ascertained, and, this done, the directions in which the 

 ridges of earth should run which it is necessary to construct 

 must be determined upon and marked out, and they must 

 be raised parallel with the slope which the ground takes, 

 so that rain, instead of running down and soaking into the 

 burrows, may find its course between the rows. These 

 banks of earth should be permanently from three to four 

 feet high, about two feet wide at the top; and, in order 

 that their formation may be as compact and satisfactory 

 as possible, it is advisable, according to the nature of the 

 soil, to extend or diminish their distance from one another, 

 say from I2ft to I5ft. Their formation should be com- 

 menced by cutting a trench about i8in. to 2ft. deep the 

 whole length of the ridge intended to be raised, and the 

 soil removed from about three-fourths the depth of the trench, 



