334 



YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



larger species, are likely to prove a serious hindrance to the work of 

 forest extension. 



THE RABBIT AS GAME. 



The smaller American rabbits have long been esteemed as game. 

 While their flesh is less tender than that of the domesticated species 

 (Belgian and other races), it is of much finer flavor, and when prop- 

 erly prepared for the table is much more desirable as food. With 

 the same care in dressing and handling bestowed upon the rabbit in 

 English markets, our cottontail rabbit would stand much higher in 

 popular flavor. The jack rabbits of the western Plains are not so 

 good, the flesh, except in young animals, being somewhat coarse and 

 dry; yet many reach our markets. 



The trade in rabbits is extensive, since there are few restrictions 

 upon their sale. They are usually both abundant and cheap, and 

 furnisli an excellent substitute for higher-priced game. Unfortu- 

 nately, on account of their cheapness, little care is taken in handling 

 and dressing them for market, and for this reason many people re- 

 frain from buying them for the table. 



In the South there are few restrictions on hunting rabbits, and they 

 can be obtained at almost any time. As a valuable source of food for 

 the people of this section, the rabbit is of considerable economic im- 

 portance. 



PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION. 



The manner in which the rabbit is regarded by the people of the 

 various States is well shown b}^ the existence or the absence of laws 

 for its protection. In the New England and the Middle Atlantic 

 States the rabbit is protected, Avhile throughout most of the West 

 and South no restrictions are placed on hunting the animals. In 

 some Western States they are regarded with such disfavor that 

 bounties have been paid for their destruction. In States where they 

 are most abundant, protection is rarely afi^orded. In sections of the 

 country w^here a close season on rabbits is accompanied by a strict 

 enforcement of laws against trespass by hunters, rabbits have often 

 become so abundant that farmers have asked for a repeal of the pro- 

 tecting laws. 



Sixteen States have laws fixing a closed season for rabbits, and in 

 the District of Columbia, in addition to the closed season, all shoot- 

 ing is prohibited. Kentucky prohibits the hunting of rabbits for 

 a short time just previous to the open season for quail, the object 

 being to protect the birds rather than rabbits. The list on the follow- 

 ing page shows the States which have laws for the protection of 

 rabbits. 



