Reduction of Rabbits. 461 
them into eight small posts, or rather, large stakes. The netting is of 
galvanized wire, No. 19 gauge, and one and one-half-inch mesh. This 
netting is stapled to the posts and stakes on the inside, or toward the 
field. This is of prime importance, as it will not serve the purpose if 
it is placed on the outside. The bottom of the netting is to come down 
to the ground, and the ground must be lelt hard, and not plowed, to 
prevent burrowing or scratching the dirt from underneath, which can 
be easily done if the dirt is softened up. It is not at all necessary to 
A Rabbit-proof Fence in Successful Use in Miramonte Colony, Kern County. 
set the netting below the ground In the sketch are shown three 
barbed wires, with barbs two and a half inches apart. These wires must 
be placed on the outside of the posts. This position is also a prime 
necessity. The lower wire is stretched just clear of the surface of the 
ground. The middle wire is one inch higher than the top of the net- 
ting, and the top wire, which is intended only as against cattle, is at a 
height suitable for the purpose. The rabbit-proof portion is comprised 
in the netting and the two lower wires. Hence, if cattle are not feared, 
and rabbits are the only foe, the top wire can be dispensed with, and 
the posts can be all short with a greater proportion of stakes, having 
only enough stout posts to stand the strain of the wires. The theory 
of this construction is that a rabbit can only pass the fence over the top 
or under the bottom of the netting, and this is effectually prevented by 
the barbed wires, which tear the animal if it attempts either to leap or 
climb over, or to scratch under. 
Smears Distasteful to Rabbits——\Where the expense of a 
fence can not be assumed, measurable protection can be had by 
sprinkling the leaves or smearing the stems of plants with sub- 
stances distasteful to the animals, which are quite dainty in this 
respect. Commercial aloes, one pound to four gallons of water, 
both sprinkled on leaves and painted on the bark, gives a bitter 
taste, which repels rabbits. A tea made by steeping quassia 
chips is said to produce the same effect. Rancid grease, liquid 
manure, putrescent flesh or blood, have been approved as a daub 
for tree trunks, but the efficacy is only of limited duration. 
Rabbit Poison.—Pieces of watermelon, cantaloupe, or other 
vegetable of which they are very fond, may be poisoned with 
strychnine and then scattered around the orchard. Rabbits will 
not touch the bark as long as they can find this bait, and one 
meal is effective, for the rabbit never gets far away from it. The 
same results can be attained by the following mixture. To one 
hundred pounds of wheat take nine gallons of water and one 
pound of phosphorus, one pound of sugar, and one ounce oil of 
