HARES AND RABBITS. 



43 



The prolificacy of the rabbit is stupendous, and it will breed 

 seven or eight times a year, its progeny being reared at the 

 bottom of a separate hole, termed " stab " in some districts ; 

 they are born blind and are perfectly helpless. Considerable 

 value is attached to the rabbit as an article of food, and its 

 flesh is greatly appreciated. Again, the skin is of worth, 

 being largely employed in the manufacture of felt hats, 

 muffs, furs, and boas. The refuse skin, and ears and feet are 

 used as articles of manure in fruit-growing and hop-producing 

 districts. In localities where hares and rabbits abound, 



THE EABBIT. 



considerable damage is done, and great loss frequently 

 sustained by farmers and cultivators of the land generally. 

 No crop seems to escape their ravages ; hardly any plant is 

 free from their attacks, for they will devour Vvnth avidity 

 almost every description of agricultural produce. Amongst 

 corn crops they make persistent havoc, not only when the 

 young and tender blade is shooting from the ground, but 

 also when the ripe corn is standing in the fields. From, 

 seed-time to harvest, wheat, oats, and barley alike suffer from 

 their onslaughts. Hares, especially, take pleasure in nipping 



