CHAPTER XLI 

 SUPPRESSION OF INJURIOUS ANIMALS AND BIRDS 



The beasts of the field and the fowls of the air are sometimes 

 such grievous trespassers upon the fruit plantation that protection 

 has to be sought against them. The animals which figure in this 

 evil work are mainly species of rodentia, some of them burrowers, 

 as, for example, the ground-squirrel and gopher; others, surface 

 dwellers, like the hare or jackass rabbit. Occasionally there is injury 

 done by deer in the orchard and vineyard, and coons in the melon 

 patch, but these larger animals may usually be left to the hunters 

 and the dogs. 



RABBITS 



Though there are three species prevalent, none are burrowers. 

 This fact has led to united efforts at their suppression by driving 

 them, with mounted horsemen, from a wide stretch of country into 

 a narrow, fenced inclosure, where they are killed with clubs. Dur- 

 ing the last few years tens of thousands have been killed in this way, 

 and comparatively few are now found in the localities where the 

 method has been adopted. Still, however, there are plenty at large 

 to vex the fruit planter, and he must protect himself against them. 



Rabbit Fences. The surest protection against rabbits is a fence 

 which prevents their entrance, and many miles of such fence have 

 been built in this State. Several styles prevail. The ordinary board 

 fence, with the boards running horizontally, is made rabbit-proof 

 by placing the lower boards close together, with openings of but 



A rabbit-proof fence in successful use in the San Joaquin Valley. 



about two inches between them. A barbed wire, with bards about 

 two and one-half inches apart, can be used to advantage by running 

 it along at or a little below the surface of the ground to prevent 

 scratching under. 



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