222 RABBITS 



munching action which has been mistaken for that 

 process is merely grinding the teeth to keep them 

 from growing too long. 



There can be no doubt that, were the whole race of 

 rodents expunged from animated nature, human in- 

 terests would be greatly benefited. The flesh of hares 

 is succulent, and they afford pretty sport, despite 

 Mr. Jorrocks's depreciatory remarks about coursing; 

 rabbits are well enough in a pie, and shooting them 

 has a peculiar zest derived from the knowledge that 

 every rabbit killed is so much service done to the 

 farmer and the forester. But when all that has been 

 reckoned, what remains to the credit of rodents ? A 

 few pretty squirrel skins and other small furs, against 

 which must be set the devastation wrought by rats, 

 mice, voles, lemmings, etc. 



Consider what is probably the annual cost of even a 

 moderate stock of rabbits on an estate. Attention has 

 been drawn at last better late than never to the 

 condition of British woodlands and the deplorable 

 neglect of our forest resources. Landowners are begin- 

 ning seriously to consider planting as a source of 

 revenue, and to calculate the possible return upon 

 capital sunk in that operation. In hardly any district 

 can protection against rabbits be dispensed with, and to 

 provide wire netting for that purpose is a considerable 

 addition to the initial cost of planting, for it cannot be 

 done for less than 6d. a running yard. To enclose a 

 single acre in a rectangle takes 280 yards of four foot wire 

 netting, and costs 7 from 100 to 150 per cent, on the 

 cost of planting. Of course the cost is proportionately 



