58 



FARM VERMIN, HELPFUL AND HURTFUL, 



GROUND GAME. 



Hares [Lepus Einopceus). 



Hares damage plants of woodland growth by biting the 

 buds as far up as they can reach, and by nibbling and gnaw- 

 ing the bark of young trees and poles. Where they have a 

 considerable choice of species of trees, as on large woodland 

 estates, they exhibit preference for beech, hornbeam, aspen, 

 ash, elm, maple, and sycamore ; whilst the conifers generally, 

 and Scots pine and spruce in particular, attract them in a 

 less degree than the broad-leaved species of trees. But in 

 comparatively un wooded tracts, like many of the Scottish 

 moors, it is often absolutely impossible to rear plantations 

 even of pines, spruce, or larch, unless they are well fenced 

 in and protected to a height of 2\ to 2J ft. with ^vire net- 

 ting. During hard winters hares flock from all the 

 neighbouring hill-districts and moors to the plantations, and 

 form well-trodden runs round the fencing in their endeavours 

 to effect an entrance. In parks, and on the residential por- 

 tions of estates, wherever they have any marked oppor- 

 tunities of selection, hares single out papilionaceous species 

 of trees, more particularly the acacia {Robzm'a pseudo- 

 acacia and Gleditschia tri acanthus)^ for gnawing and peeling 

 off the bark. In the Highlands of Scotland it is more par- 

 ticularly the Blue Hare [Lepiis variabilis) that commits the 

 greatest damao;e. In orchards hares sometimes commit 

 very extensive damage to young fruit trees of the better sort, 

 after they have been grafted. Experience shows that apple- 

 trees suffer most from such attacks, cherry-trees to a less 

 extent, and pear-trees least of all. 



The best remedy against damage of this sort undoubtedly 

 lies in shooting the hares off. But failing the legal power 

 to do this, the protection of young plantations, nurseries, or 

 orchards may be ensured by means of a complete fence of 

 vrire netting offering no opportunities of entrance. Where 

 this is not applicable, the stems should be covered from 



