The Wild Rabbit Warrens. 181 



sufficient and permanent quantities. Another proviso, 

 which should not be overlooked, is that on no account 

 should land of a damp, moisture-retaining nature be chosen ; 

 the land must, above all things, be dry, and thoroughly so. 

 A soil which becomes saturated with the rain that falls upon 

 it, and retains it, instead of allowing it to permeate through 

 to the rock surface, becomes in damp weather almost like 

 a sponge full of water, and in hot weather as humid as 

 possible, the immediate result of both or either being an 

 outbreak of disease rapidly fatal to the numerous stock. 

 Epidemics in rabbit warrens may nine times out of ten be 

 traced to this cause ; hence the necessity of taking full 

 cognisance of the land proposed before commencing opera- 

 tions upon it. As we said, clay or clayey soils are unsuit- 

 able ; and, to our thinking, any attempt to utilise them 

 would result in disheartening loss. 



Having decided upon the soil, the next question is the 

 situation best adapted for a warren, its aspect, and other 

 minor considerations. The most desirable situation is upon 

 a hill, the top of which slopes slightly to one side, and then 

 dips suddenly down into the valley. No better site could be 

 obtained, provided there be shelter in the direction from 

 which the roughest weather comes. Such a situation is sure 

 to be well drained naturally, and is moreover exceedingly 

 suitable in every other respect. The burrows would in such 

 a case be most judiciously placed upon the expanse of the 

 greater slope, which in time would become one mass of holts, 

 while the upper portion would form the feeding grounds. 

 The land should face the south, or as near thereto as may be, 

 while the whole expanse of the warren should be entirely 



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