46 FARM VERMIN, HELPFUL AND HURTFUL. 



pole the rabbits sever it at the bottom with their teeth, 

 and leave it to wither and die. This action on their part 

 seems strange, as they can derive but little nutriment from 

 it. As an example of the wanton mischief they perform, 

 the following is a noteworthy incident. They will, if a hop- 

 pole fall to the ground owing to high wind or other causes, 

 strip the hops from the bines, but leave them untouched 

 and uneaten beside the pole. 



The methods of prevention against injury to different 

 crops by hares and rabbits are numerous and effectual if 

 carried out in a right manner. Mr. Rooke, in his evidence 

 before the Committee in 1873, says that wire netting is 

 quite sufficient, if put down in a workman-like manner, to 

 protect crops and farms from ground game. Wire netting 

 (galvanised wire, if -inch mesh, is the most suitable kind) is 

 the best acknowledged method of checking the ravages of 

 ground game, and if placed round crops liable to be attacked 

 is found to be thoroughly efficacious. Mr. Rooke recom- 

 mended wire netting 3 feet wide, 6 inches of which is 

 placed in the ground in order to prevent the rabbits from 

 burrowing. This netting is secured to posts and a top-wire 

 is stretched from post to post. A ditch is dug on the 

 protected side and the wire is placed on the edge of the 

 ditch. The first cost for putting up protection of this kind 

 is for every mile, and the annual expense of repairing 

 and keeping in order is ^4 17s. 2d. per mile. Mr. Arch, 

 a witness before the same Committee, said that it would 

 be only justice for the game-preserver to put up fences of 

 the above nature. It is said that this wire netting is 

 equally adaptable on all soils, both heavy and light, but in 

 some instances it has been found necessary to place a layer 

 of chalk under the fence. 



In fruit plantations and amongst woods wire netting, or 

 twigs of quick or thorn, are sometimes placed round the 

 trees. Sacking or matting is also tied round. Trees may 



