The Wild Rabbit Warrens. 183 



This will probably take the form of wire netting, which is 

 also the only cheap and effective means of confining the 

 stock of artificial warrens. The best and most suitable size 

 is the 4ft. wide, 2in. or 2jin. mesh, and, in order that it 

 may be made impassable, it must be fixed in the following 

 manner : At every 6ft. to gft., stakes of from 4ft. to 5ft. in 

 length must be driven in until 3ft. of their length remains 

 above the ground. Then on the inside of what will be the 

 fence, a trench must be cut along from stake to stake, about 

 one foot wide and three or four inches deep ; it will suffice if 

 nothing more than a good thick "skad" be removed. This 

 accomplished, the netting must be fixed to the post by 

 staples and tying with wire, commencing at the top. At the 

 bottom of the trench the last staple should be driven, and the 

 surplus length of netting turned and laid flat in the hollow 

 formed, when, having been pegged down at the necessary 

 intervals between the stakes, the turf removed must be 

 replaced upon the wire, and firmly beaten down. This is 

 the only mode of fixing wire netting which completely 

 baulks the rabbits and prevents them working under. Occa- 

 sionally one may perchance burrow under, but very rarely ; 

 but should this happen, then catch and kill the offender. 

 Not only is the wire when so placed proof against rabbits, 

 but it stands up better and bears a greater strain. When 

 employing this as a limit within the ring fence of a natural 

 warren, it is advisable to fix it about two yards off from the 

 hedgerows, banks, &c., upon the inner side. As to the ques- 

 tion whether a permanent wall, either of stone or brick, 

 or a wooden fence would be desirable, opinions would not 

 differ, but whether the erection would be worth the capital 



