AMONG the minor evils which we apprehended as a 

 consequence of the Great War was the undue concerning 

 increase of rabbits, owing to the men upon Rabbita 

 whom we were wont to rely for keeping them in check 

 being drawn away to the colours. It was a serious out- 

 look; for, once let rabbits take full possession of 

 suitable ground, it is a matter of much difficulty to 

 oust them, infinite mischief being wrought upon growing 

 crops and young plantations in the meantime. Isolated 

 effort is only of temporary effect, for these insatiable 

 rodents are very mobile. If every rabbit could be killed 

 on any one estate, the stock would be continually 

 replenished from neighbouring properties, unless simul- 

 taneous action had been taken upon them. Two 

 circumstances seem to have helped to avert the scourge 

 which we anticipated ; first, the cold and wet summer 

 of 1916, which was markedly unfavourable to the pro- 

 pagation of rabbits, multitudes of the young ones 

 perishing in the rank, drenched herbage ; and second, 

 the great increase in stoats and weasels, owing to the 

 suspension of trapping consequent on so many trappers 

 being sent overseas for the destruction of their own kind. 

 It is difficult to estimate which animal costs the 



