THE RABBIT AS A FARM AND ORCHARD PEST. 



837 



has many advocates and is popular in the West, where the swifter 

 jack rabbits abound. Smaller rabbits are often chased with fox- 

 hounds, but the beagle is rapidly taking precedence as a favorite for 

 rabbit hunting, the gun being depended upon for securing the game. 



RABBIT DRIVES. 



Where the country is sufficiently open for the purpose, one of the 

 most successful methods of reducing the numbers of rabbits is the 

 organized hunt, known as the " drive." This method has been tried 

 in many localities in the West and in Australia with satisfactory 

 results, the number of rabbits killed in a single drive reaching as high 

 as 10,000 or even 20,000. 



TRAPPING THE RABBIT. 



Rabbits are easily trapped and snared, and these methods of de- 

 struction although slow are ahvays available in wood lot, orchard, 

 nursery, field, or garden. Many of the animals are caught in box 

 traps set with a figure-four trigger, with cord attached to hold up the 

 box lid. 



An improvement upon these old-fashioned box traps is widely used 

 in the Central West. In Kansas and Missouri it is familiarly known 

 as the " Wellhouse " trap, it having been used extensively in the 

 large orchards owned and controlled by Mr. Fred Wellhouse, of 

 Topeka, Kans. This trap is not patented, and is not on the market, 

 but can easily be made by an}^ farmer. The trap is a box made 

 of 6-inch fencing boards, old ones being preferred. The box is about 

 21 inches long, closed at the back by a board, but in front by a wire 

 door only. The door is hung from the top and swings inward. A 

 cleat at the bottom prevents its opening outward. The trap is set 

 and the wire door is kept open by a wire trigger-rod, held in place 

 by two staples fastened to the top of the box. This trigger is bent 

 downward near the rear of the trap and formed into a loop or a 

 figure eight. As the rabbit enters the trap and crowds into the back 

 part, it pushes upon the loop, moves the trigger wire backward, and 

 releases the wire door. This falls and makes the rabbit a prisoner. 

 Bait may be used, but is not necessary, since the cottontail is con- 

 stantly looking for dark places to hide from enemies or cold winds. 

 Mr. Wellhouse uses about three traps per acre in young orchards and 

 many among the bearing trees. They are regularly looked after by 

 boys, and so effective have they proved that no serious losses from 

 rabbits have occurred in his orchards. 



The materials needed for making a Wellhouse trap are: Four 

 boards 1 by 6, 21 inches long; one piece 1 by 6, 8 inches long for the 

 back; a short cleat for the door stop; 28^ inches of wire to serve 



