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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/34446-h.zip b/34446-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eeb3155 --- /dev/null +++ b/34446-h.zip diff --git a/34446-h/34446-h.htm b/34446-h/34446-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bfbbfc9 --- /dev/null +++ b/34446-h/34446-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1056 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Cottontail Rabbits In Relation To Trees And Farm Crops, by D. E. Lantz. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .tocnum {position: absolute; top: auto; right: 20%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .right {text-align: right;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Cottontail Rabbits in Relation to Trees and +Farm Crops, by D. Lantz + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Cottontail Rabbits in Relation to Trees and Farm Crops + Farmers' Bulletin 702 + +Author: D. Lantz + +Release Date: November 25, 2010 [EBook #34446] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RABBITS IN RELATION TO TREES, CROPS *** + + + + +Produced by Larry B. Harrison, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE</h4> + +<h3>FARMERS' BULLETIN</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Washington, D. C.</span> 702 <span class="smcap">January 17, 1916</span></h3> + +<h4>Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, Henry W. Henshaw, +Chief.</h4> + +<h1>COTTONTAIL RABBITS IN RELATION TO TREES AND FARM CROPS.</h1> + +<h2>By <span class="smcap">D. E. Lantz</span>, <i>Assistant Biologist</i>.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 145px;"> +<img src="images/001b-illus.jpg" width="145" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p> +<span class="tocnum">Page.</span><br /> +<br /> +Introduction <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Habits of cottontail rabbits <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_2'>2</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Protection of rabbits <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Means of repressing rabbits <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_5'>5</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Natural enemies <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_5'>5</a></span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hunting <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_6'>6</a></span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Trapping <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_6'>6</a></span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Poisoning <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_9'>9</a></span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Bacterial diseases <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></span><br /> +<br /> +Protection of crops from rabbits <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rabbit-proof fences <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></span><br /> +<br /> +Tree protection <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Washes <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_10'>10</a></span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mechanical contrivances <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Other means <span class="tocnum"><a href='#Page_12'>12</a></span></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Note.</span>—This bulletin discusses the distribution and habits of cottontail +rabbits and methods of controlling their ravages on trees and cultivated +crops by means of trapping, poisoning, and supplying safeguards. For +general distribution.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p>Among the serious pests in orchards and tree plantations are the several +native species of rabbits. These animals do considerable damage to +garden truck and other farm crops also, especially on lands recently +opened to cultivation. North American rabbits belong to two general +classes easily distinguished by their size and habits.</p> + +<p>The larger forms<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> include the arctic and varying hares, or snowshoe +rabbits, and the jack rabbits, and are found throughout nearly all of +Alaska and Canada and in all the States west of the Mississippi except +Arkansas and Louisiana. East of the Mississippi they inhabit the +northern parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, most of New York +and New England, and southward in the Appalachian Mountains, parts of +Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Genus <i>Lepus</i>.</p></div> + +<p>The smaller forms,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> generally called "cottontail rabbits," occur in +every State, but are absent from the greater part of Maine, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +northern parts of New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, +and Minnesota, and from the western parts of Washington and Oregon. In +recent years they have extended their range northward in the New England +States, New York, and portions of the West, and have invaded and +occupied a considerable part of the Province of Ontario. In habits they +differ materially from the larger rabbits. They live in copses and +thickets more than in open fields. The young are born blind, naked, and +helpless, while those of the larger rabbits have the eyes open, are +partially furred, and active when born.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Genus <i>Sylvilagus</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Rabbits of both genera, however, feed exclusively on vegetation, and are +at times harmful to crops and especially to trees. Because of their size +and great abundance in parts of their range, jack rabbits are by far the +most destructive, but, except in a few places where they have been +introduced, none are found east of the Mississippi. Epizootics (diseases +which attack many animals at the same time) are an effectual natural +check, and after such attack occurs, jack rabbits are usually so reduced +in numbers that they are not troublesome again for several years.</p> + +<p>Traps and other devices that are effective with cottontail rabbits do +not always succeed with jack rabbits. The recommendations contained in +this bulletin will, therefore, apply only to cottontail rabbits, but +they may suggest methods that, with modifications, may be used against +the larger forms.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HABITS OF COTTONTAIL RABBITS.</h2> + + +<p>Cottontail rabbits (fig. 1) are so well known that little need be said +of their habits. They breed several times each year during the warmer +months, the litters averaging five or six young. The nest is usually +placed in a hollow or depression of the ground, often in open fields or +meadows. It is composed of dead grass and warmly lined with fur which +the female pulls from her own body. The male rabbit takes no part in +caring for the young, and the female weans them as soon as they are able +to leave the nest. These animals breed so rapidly that in spite of many +natural enemies, and of the fact that they are hunted for human food, +they often become numerous enough to inflict serious losses on farmers +and fruit growers in many parts of the United States (fig. 2).</p> + +<p>Cottontail rabbits eat all sorts of herbage—leaves, stems, flowers, and +seeds of herbaceous plants and grasses—and leaves, buds, bark, and +fruits of woody plants or trees. They usually prefer the most succulent +foods, as young shoots, tender garden vegetables, clover, alfalfa, and +fallen ripe fruits; but they exhibit also a remarkable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> delicacy of +taste in their selection of certain varieties of cultivated plants and +in their neglect of others of the same species. Prof. C. V. Piper +reports that in Oregon rabbits ate Arabian alfalfa down to the ground, +while they did little or no damage to other varieties grown in +surrounding plats. Prof. C. A. Mooers, of the Tennessee Agricultural +Experiment Station, reports similar observations in regard to their +taste for soy beans, stating that they greatly relish the mammoth yellow +variety and that it is practically the only one that suffers from their +depredations. When favorite foods are absent rabbits resort to whatever +is available. It is during summer droughts or when deep snows cut off +ordinary supplies that the animals attack the bark of growing trees or +shrubs.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 650px;"> +<img src="images/003a-illus.jpg" width="650" height="477" alt="Fig. 1.—Cottontail rabbit in its "form."" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Fig. 1.—Cottontail rabbit in its "form."</span> +</div> + + +<h3>PROTECTION OF RABBITS.</h3> + +<p>Cottontail rabbits are valuable for food and afford excellent sport for +gunners. In many States, especially east of the Mississippi River, they +are protected as game. In fruit-growing and truck-farming districts +farmers regard them with disfavor, and there is considerable rivalry +between sportsmen and farmers to have their opposing views reflected in +game laws. The interests of the two classes do not seriously differ, +however, for when rabbits are closely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> hunted losses from their +depredations are usually reduced to a minimum. Still there is danger +that in years favorable for their increase the animals may inflict +serious injury to trees during severe winters.</p> + +<p>Rabbits are protected (1915) by close seasons in States and Provinces as +shown in Table I. Twenty-eight States, Alaska, and the Canadian +Provinces not mentioned in the table do not protect rabbits of any kind. +In the District of Columbia all shooting is prohibited except on certain +river marshes. In Kentucky rabbits may be taken with dog, trap, or snare +at any time, and the close season for shooting is evidently solely for +the purpose of keeping gunners out of fields and woods during the two +months immediately preceding the open season for quails. In Wisconsin 46 +counties, mostly in the southern half of the State, have no close season +for rabbits. In California only cottontails, or bush rabbits, are +protected.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 490px;"> +<img src="images/004a-illus.jpg" width="490" height="650" alt="Fig. 2.—Apple tree killed by rabbits." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Fig. 2.—Apple tree killed by rabbits.</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Table I.</span>—<i>Lengths of open season for rabbits or hares.</i></h4> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>State or Province.</td><td align='left'>Beginning of open season.</td><td align='left'>Beginning of close season.</td><td align='left'>Length of open season.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Maine</td><td align='left'> Oct. 1</td><td align='left'> Apr. 1</td><td align='left'> 6</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>New Hampshire</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> Mar. 1</td><td align='left'> 5</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Vermont</td><td align='left'> Sept. 15</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> 5-1/2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Massachusetts</td><td align='left'> Oct. 12</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> 4-3/5</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Rhode Island</td><td align='left'> Nov. 1</td><td align='left'> Jan. 1</td><td align='left'> 2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Connecticut</td><td align='left'> Oct. 8</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> 2-3/4</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>New York</td><td align='left'> Oct. 1</td><td align='left'> Feb. 1</td><td align='left'> 4</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> Long Island</td><td align='left'> Nov. 1</td><td align='left'> Jan. 1</td><td align='left'> 2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>New Jersey</td><td align='left'> Nov. 10</td><td align='left'> Dec. 16</td><td align='left'> 1-1/5</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Pennsylvania</td><td align='left'> Nov. 1</td><td align='left'> Dec. 1</td><td align='left'> 1</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Delaware</td><td align='left'> Nov. 15</td><td align='left'> Jan. 1</td><td align='left'> 1-1/2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Maryland</td><td align='left'> Nov. 10</td><td align='left'> Dec. 25</td><td align='left'> 1-1/2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>District of Columbia</td><td align='left'> Nov. 1</td><td align='left'> Feb. 1</td><td align='left'> 3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Virginia</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> 3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Kentucky</td><td align='left'> Nov. 15</td><td align='left'> Sept. 15</td><td align='left'> 10</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ohio</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> Dec. 5</td><td align='left'> 2/3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Indiana</td><td align='left'> Apr. 1</td><td align='left'> Jan. 10</td><td align='left'> 9-1/3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Illinois</td><td align='left'> Aug. 31</td><td align='left'> Feb. 1</td><td align='left'> 5-1/30</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Michigan</td><td align='left'> Oct. 1</td><td align='left'> Mar. 2</td><td align='left'> 5-1/30</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Wisconsin:</td><td align='left'></td><td align='left'></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 6 counties</td><td align='left'> Sept. 10</td><td align='left'> Feb. 1</td><td align='left'> 4-2/3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 13 counties</td><td align='left'> Oct. 10</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> 3-2/3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> 6 counties</td><td align='left'> Nov. 1</td><td align='left'> Jan. 1</td><td align='left'> 2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Colorado</td><td align='left'> Oct. 1</td><td align='left'> Mar. 1</td><td align='left'> 5</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>California</td><td align='left'> July 31</td><td align='left'> Feb. 1</td><td align='left'> 6-1/30</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>British Columbia</td><td align='left'> Sept. 1</td><td align='left'> Jan. 1</td><td align='left'> 4</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Ontario</td><td align='left'> Oct. 1</td><td align='left'> Dec. 16</td><td align='left'> 2-1/2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Quebec:</td><td align='left'></td><td align='left'></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> Zone 1</td><td align='left'> Oct. 15</td><td align='left'> Feb. 1</td><td align='left'> 3-1/2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'> Zone 2</td><td align='left'> do.</td><td align='left'> Mar. 1</td><td align='left'> 4-1/2</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Newfoundland</td><td align='left'> Sept. 20</td><td align='left'> Jan. 1</td><td align='left'> 3-1/3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Prince Edward Island</td><td align='left'> Nov. 1</td><td align='left'> Feb. 1</td><td align='left'> 3</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Nova Scotia</td><td align='left'> Oct. 1</td><td align='left'> Mar. 1</td><td align='left'> 5</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>In about half the States that have a close season for rabbits the laws +permit farmers and fruit growers to destroy the animals to protect crops +or trees. Such provision might well be incorporated in game laws of all +States. For lack of it farmers have sometimes suffered severe losses, +and not a few have been compelled to pay fines for trying to protect +their property from rabbits. In States that protect rabbits it is well +for the farmer to be acquainted with the game laws and in case of doubt +to have a clear understanding with local and State game, wardens before +undertaking to destroy rabbits.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>MEANS OF REPRESSING RABBITS.</h2> + + +<h3>NATURAL ENEMIES.</h3> + +<p>Among the agencies that help to keep down the numbers of rabbits few are +more effective than carnivorous birds and mammals. These include large +hawks and owls, eagles, coyotes, wildcats, foxes, minks, weasels, dogs, +and cats. Eagles, the larger species of hawks, and all the large and +medium-sized owls make rabbits a great part of their food. From the +standpoint of the farmer and fruit grower these birds and certain +carnivorous mammals are far more beneficial than harmful. On the other +hand, poultry growers and sportsmen regard them as enemies to be +destroyed whenever possible. In the absence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> of such natural enemies, +rabbits, as well as rats and mice, often become a menace to valuable +crops. Indiscriminate slaughter of carnivorous birds and mammals should +be suppressed whenever rodent pests are to be controlled.</p> + + +<h3>HUNTING.</h3> + +<p>Hunting has been the most important factor in keeping down the numbers +of rabbits in America. In some parts of the country the animals have +been so reduced in numbers by shooting that sportsmen have invoked +legislation to prevent their extermination. Shooting is undoubtedly the +best method for hunting this animal. Ferreting is often impracticable, +since our native rabbits do not habitually burrow; besides, the use of +ferrets is forbidden by law in many States that protect the rabbit. +Coursing with greyhounds is popular in the West, where the swifter jack +rabbits are abundant. Cottontails are often chased with foxhounds, but +the beagle is rapidly taking precedence as a favorite for hunting these +animals, the gun being used to secure the game.</p> + +<p>Where the country is sufficiently open for the purpose, the organized +hunt, in which everyone who owns a gun is supposed to take part, is a +good means of reducing the number of rabbits. These organized hunts are +popular in the West, where they are also varied, in the case of jack +rabbits, by what is known as the "rabbit drive." A large territory is +surrounded by men and the animals are driven into a corral built of wire +netting. While a few cottontails are sometimes included in the catch, +these usually find refuge in open burrows or under cover of rocks or +brush, so that this method is hardly applicable to them.</p> + + +<h3>TRAPPING.</h3> + +<p>Rabbits are easily trapped or snared, and while these methods of taking +them are slow, they are always feasible when cottontails infest woodlot, +orchard, nursery, field, or garden. Many are caught in old-fashioned box +traps set with a figure-4 trigger with cord attached to hold up the box +lid.</p> + +<p>An improvement on this familiar trap, widely used in the Middle West, +and often called the Wellhouse<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> trap, is a box 21 inches long and +about 6 inches high and 4 inches wide (inside measurements) made of +6-inch fence boards, preferably old ones. The box is closed at the rear +and has a wire door in front which swings inward from the top, a cleat +at the bottom preventing its opening outward. The trap is set and the +wire door kept open by a wire trigger-rod held in place by two staples +in the top of the box. The trigger-rod is bent downward into a loop or +figure 8 near the rear of the trap. As the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> rabbit enters the trap and +crowds into the back part it presses against the loop, moves the +trigger-rod backward and is imprisoned as the wire door is released and +falls. Bait may be used but is unnecessary, since cottontails frequently +take refuge in dark places from enemies or inclement weather.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> After the late Mr. Fred Wellhouse, of Topeka, Kans.</p></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/007a-illus.jpg" width="450" height="221" alt="Fig. 3.—Details of a Wellhouse rabbit trap." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Fig. 3.—Details of a Wellhouse rabbit trap.</span> +</div> + +<p>The materials needed for making a Wellhouse trap are: Four boards 1 by +6, 21 inches long, for the sides; a piece 1 by 6, 8 inches long, for the +back; a small cleat for the door stop; 28-1/2 inches of wire for the +door; 22 inches of wire for the trigger; 4 small staples for hanging the +door and trigger; and nails (fig. 3).</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/007b-illus.jpg" width="450" height="178" alt="Fig. 4.—Cross section of a Walmsley tile trap for +rabbits." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Fig. 4.—Cross section of a Walmsley tile trap for +rabbits.</span> +</div> + +<p>Mr. J. M. Walmsley recently sent to the department photographs and a +description of a permanent rabbit trap made of sewer tile and used on +his and other farms in Kansas (fig. 4). A 12 by 6 inch "tee" is set with +the long end downward and buried so that the 6-inch opening is below the +surface of the ground. Two lengths of 6-inch sewer pipe are then +connected horizontally with the opening. Soil is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> placed over the joints +to exclude light. The upright tile should be fitted with a tight +removable cover—Mr. Walmsley uses old harrow disks for the purpose. The +projecting end of the small tile is surrounded with rocks, brush, or +wood, so as to make the hole look inviting to rabbits (fig. 5), and that +they may appropriate the den as a place of concealment and shelter. A +number of these traps in various places, and especially in the vicinity +of the orchard, have kept Mr. Walmsley's farm comparatively free of +rabbits. Rabbits occupy these tile traps, go in or out at will, and may +be captured when desired. Whenever Mr. Walmsley visits his traps he is +accompanied by a trained dog that locates the trapped animals. The cover +is lifted from the upright tile and the rabbit captured by hand; if it +bolts from the side opening it is caught by the dog. A short pole fitted +with a 5-inch wooden disk may be inserted in the side opening to prevent +escape.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 650px;"> +<img src="images/008a-illus.jpg" width="650" height="356" alt="Fig. 5.—A Walmsley tile trap in use." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Fig. 5.—A Walmsley tile trap in use.</span> +</div> + +<p>These traps are especially suitable for open lands and prairies, where +rabbits can not find many natural hiding places. Built on waste land, +they may become a permanent part of the farm equipment and will cost +nothing for repairs from year to year. Their first cost may be greatly +reduced by use of second-grade or even broken tiles. If one wishes to +poison rabbits, the baits may be placed inside these traps and domestic +animals or birds will not be endangered. The Walmsley trap also +furnishes an excellent means of obtaining rabbits for the table or even +for market without damaging them by shooting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>POISONING.</h3> + +<p>Poison for killing rabbits has been used in the West with considerable +success. Only in exceptional cases, however, is its use advisable in +States that protect rabbits. The most favorable season for using poison +is in winter or after a long drought in summer has made green food +scarce. In some localities summer poisoning is interfered with by +crickets or grasshoppers consuming the bait.</p> + +<p>The following method is adapted for general use: Insert crystals of +strychnine or powdered strychnine in pieces of apple or melon rind and +place these baits at intervals along rabbit runs or paths. <b>Take care to +put the poisoned baits where children and domestic animals can not get +them.</b> Where no well-defined runs are visible in orchards, artificial +ones may be made with a narrow drag or scraper. Along such runs or the +dead furrows of plowed fields rabbits habitually travel. Baits may be +placed on the ground or elevated on short sticks along the path, and +should be looked after with care. <b>Any baits left after poisoning +operations are finished should be destroyed.</b></p> + +<p>For poisoning rabbits in winter or during droughts the following formula +is recommended: Good oats, 12 quarts; powdered strychnine, 1 ounce; +laundry starch, 1 tablespoonful; soda (bicarbonate), 1 ounce; +saccharine, 1/8 ounce; water, 1 quart. Mix the starch with 1/2 pint of +cold water. Pour this into 1-1/2 pints of boiling water and continue the +boiling for a minute or two until the starch is clear. Mix the dry +strychnine and soda in a small pan and sift it over the hot starch, +stirring thoroughly to form a smooth paste. Add the saccharine and stir +again. Pour the mixture over the oats in a metal tub, mixing until all +the grain is wet. Allow the oats to dry before distributing. Not over a +tablespoonful of the grain should be put in a single bait and this +should be scattered considerably. A little alfalfa hay will help attract +rabbits to the poisoned grain. This poison is recommended for use when +snow covers the ground. It is effective against both cottontails and +large rabbits.</p> + +<p>Partly ripened heads of barley or wheat soaked in a solution of +strychnine and saccharine or coated with the starch-strychnine solution +just described have also proved effective baits for rabbits, but <b>great +care must be exercised</b> in using them, as <b>they are likely to be eaten by +live stock</b>.</p> + +<p>Cottontail rabbits may be poisoned in winter by baiting them with twigs +cut from apple trees and dipped in or thinly coated with the +starch-strychnine poison. These twigs are scattered along rabbit trails +and are effective against both meadow mice and rabbits. They are less +dangerous to domestic animals than grain baits.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>BACTERIAL DISEASES.</h3> + +<p>The fact that when rabbits become excessively abundant in any locality +epizootic diseases often destroy them in large numbers has led many +people to expect that a micro-organism would be found which would afford +a ready means of rabbit control. The Biological Survey receives many +applications for such bacterial preparations. In reply to all of them it +has been necessary to state that thus far all attempts to spread +contagious disease artificially among wild rabbits have failed to give +practical results.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PROTECTION OF CROPS FROM RABBITS.</h2> + + +<p>Complete extermination of rabbits in any part of the United States is +not desirable, even if possible. They should be reduced in numbers only +sufficiently to secure comparative safety to crops, and before active +wholesale destruction of the animals is attempted the possibility of +crop protection by other means should be carefully considered. In many +cases one of these means would probably be the more economical method.</p> + + +<h3>RABBIT-PROOF FENCES.</h3> + +<p>When rabbits are abundant and the area to be protected is not too great, +a rabbit-proof fence may profitably be used. Woven-wire netting is +recommended for this purpose. This material is in general use, not only +against the rabbit pests of Australia and Europe, but in our own country +against both large and small rabbits. As our species burrow less than +the European rabbit the requirements for rabbit proofing a fence here +are not so great. Even the cottontails, when driven by hunger, will dig +under a fence, but this may be prevented either by use of wire with +close barbs in contact with the ground or by plowing a furrow against +the lower edge. A netting of galvanized wire with 1-1/2-inch mesh and +2-1/2 to 3 feet high is a sufficient barrier against cottontails. Where +snow is infrequent market gardeners and nurserymen use a 2-foot fence, +but in the North they prefer to use a netting 3-1/2 feet wide, and to +turn from 4 to 6 inches of the lower edge flat and cover it with soil. +Netting made of No. 20 wire costs from 25 to 35 cents a rod. Heavier +netting slightly increases the cost, but adds to the durability of the +fence. Where lumber is cheap, a picket fence or one made of laths and +wire is practicable. When deep snows fall and drifts form, fences offer +no protection to crops against rabbits.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TREE PROTECTION.</h2> + + +<h3>WASHES.</h3> + +<p>Many devices for protecting trees from rabbits have been recommended, +the majority of which are paints, smears, or washes supposed to be +distasteful to the animals. Many are not sufficiently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> permanent to +afford protection for an entire winter, and most of those that are +lasting are injurious to trees. Coal tar, pine tar, tarred paper, and +oils, under certain conditions, are dangerous to young trees. Carbolic +acid and other volatile substances afford only temporary protection, and +must be renewed too often to warrant their use. Bitter substances, like +commercial aloes and quassia, are useless against rabbits.</p> + +<p>The most promising simple washes for protecting large trees from rabbits +are those containing lime mixed with sulphur or copperas in various +combinations. Lime alone is not sufficiently permanent, especially where +much rain falls. When mixed with sufficient copperas it has a deep green +color and sticks much better. The lime-sulphur wash commonly used to +destroy San Jose scale in winter has often proved successful as a rabbit +repellent, but its lack of adhesive qualities often makes it fail. The +defects may be partly corrected by mixing salt, soap, or a cheap glue +with the lime and sulphur while the wash is still hot.</p> + +<p>A poisoned wash of starch and glycerin, tried during the winter of +1913-14 in Idaho by a field agent of the Biological Survey, gave +excellent results in protecting young orchards from jack rabbits, and +would probably be equally effective where cottontails are concerned. The +wash is prepared as follows:</p> + +<p>Dissolve 1 ounce of strychnine (sulphate) in 3 quarts of boiling water. +Dissolve 1/2 pound of laundry starch in 1 pint of cold water. Pour the +starch into the vessel containing the strychnine and boil the mixture a +short time until it is clear, adding 6 ounces of glycerin and stirring +thoroughly. When it is cool enough apply with a paint brush to the tree +trunks.</p> + +<p>The glycerin and starch adhere well and form a thin coating to the bark. +Rabbits attacking the trees will be quickly killed. In the Idaho +experiments none of the trees were damaged badly enough to affect their +growth and all the rabbits in the orchards were destroyed. The method is +well worth trying; but <b>care should be taken not to endanger domestic +animals</b>.</p> + + +<h3>MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES.</h3> + +<p>Among the best mechanical contrivances for protecting trees from rabbits +are cylinders of woven wire netting. Poultry netting of 1-inch mesh, +made of No. 20 galvanized wire, will answer every requirement. Rolls 18 +inches wide are used for cottontails, and the material is cut into +1-foot lengths. One of the sections is rolled into cylindrical shape +about the trunk of each tree and fastened at several places by bending +and twisting the projecting ends of wire. No other fastening is needed, +but stakes or spreaders may be used to prevent rabbits from pressing the +wire against the bark and doing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> injury through the meshes. These guards +should be left on the trunks, and will last as long as the trees require +protection. The cost of material is less than 2 cents for each tree. +These protectors may vary in size to suit the requirements of any +particular locality or kind of tree. They may be adapted to protection +from the larger rabbits by using wider rolls and to protection from both +meadow mice and rabbits by using wire of finer mesh and by pressing the +lower edges into the ground.</p> + +<p>Veneer and other forms of wooden protectors are popular, and have +several advantages when used for cottontail rabbits. When left +permanently upon the trees, however, they furnish retreats for insect +pests. For this reason they should be removed each spring. While the +labor of removing and replacing them is considerable, they have the +advantage when pressed well into the soil of protecting from both mice +and rabbits. They cost from 60 cents a hundred upward, and are much +superior to building paper or newspaper wrappings. The writer has known +instances where rabbits tore wrappings of building paper from apple +trees and in a single night injured hundreds. "Gunny-sack" and other +cloth wrappings well tied on are effective protectors. Cornstalks +furnish a cheap material for orchard protection when cut into lengths of +18 to 20 inches, split, and tied with the flat side against the tree, so +as fully to cover the trunk. However, they last but one season and +putting them in place involves much labor.</p> + + +<h3>OTHER MEANS.</h3> + +<p>Few of these methods for the protection of individual trees in orchards +or elsewhere are applicable to young woodlands or forest plantations +where trees grow close together. In these cases the only remedy is the +destruction of the animals or their exclusion by wire nettings.</p> + +<p>Clean cultivation, generally, possesses advantages in preventing rabbit +depredations, since it reduces the number of places of refuge for the +animals; but rabbits go long distances in search of food, especially in +winter, and clean cultivation can not be applied on the western plains, +where dense windbreaks are essential to successful orcharding.</p> + +<p>Feeding rabbits in winter to prevent their attacks on orchards has been +practiced successfully, on the theory that it is cheaper to feed than to +fight them. One plan is to leave the winter prunings of apple trees +scattered about the orchard. Another is to furnish corn, cabbage, or +turnips in sufficient quantity to provide food for the rabbits during +cold weather. These methods have considerable merit, particularly the +first, which seems to give satisfactory results when both mice and +rabbits are present.</p> + +<h4>WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1916</h4> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cottontail Rabbits in Relation to +Trees and Farm Crops, by D. Lantz + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RABBITS IN RELATION TO TREES, CROPS *** + +***** This file should be named 34446-h.htm or 34446-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/4/4/34446/ + +Produced by Larry B. 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Lantz + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Cottontail Rabbits in Relation to Trees and Farm Crops + Farmers' Bulletin 702 + +Author: D. Lantz + +Release Date: November 25, 2010 [EBook #34446] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RABBITS IN RELATION TO TREES, CROPS *** + + + + +Produced by Larry B. Harrison, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + + +UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE + +FARMERS' BULLETIN + +WASHINGTON, D. C. 702 JANUARY 17, 1916 + +Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, Henry W. Henshaw, +Chief. + +COTTONTAIL RABBITS IN RELATION TO TREES AND FARM CROPS. + +By D. E. LANTZ, _Assistant Biologist_. + +[Transcriber's Note: Words surrounded by tildes, like ~this~ signifies +words in bold. Words surrounded by underscores, like _this_, signifies +words in italics.] + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + Page. + +Introduction 1 + +Habits of cottontail rabbits 2 + +Protection of rabbits 3 + +Means of repressing rabbits 5 + Natural enemies 5 + Hunting 6 + Trapping 6 + Poisoning 9 + Bacterial diseases 10 + +Protection of crops from rabbits 10 + Rabbit-proof fences 10 + +Tree protection 10 + Washes 10 + Mechanical contrivances 11 + Other means 12 + + +NOTE.--This bulletin discusses the distribution and habits of cottontail +rabbits and methods of controlling their ravages on trees and cultivated +crops by means of trapping, poisoning, and supplying safeguards. For +general distribution. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Among the serious pests in orchards and tree plantations are the several +native species of rabbits. These animals do considerable damage to +garden truck and other farm crops also, especially on lands recently +opened to cultivation. North American rabbits belong to two general +classes easily distinguished by their size and habits. + +The larger forms[1] include the arctic and varying hares, or snowshoe +rabbits, and the jack rabbits, and are found throughout nearly all of +Alaska and Canada and in all the States west of the Mississippi except +Arkansas and Louisiana. East of the Mississippi they inhabit the +northern parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, most of New York +and New England, and southward in the Appalachian Mountains, parts of +Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. + +[Footnote 1: Genus _Lepus_.] + +The smaller forms,[2] generally called "cottontail rabbits," occur in +every State, but are absent from the greater part of Maine, the +northern parts of New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, +and Minnesota, and from the western parts of Washington and Oregon. In +recent years they have extended their range northward in the New England +States, New York, and portions of the West, and have invaded and +occupied a considerable part of the Province of Ontario. In habits they +differ materially from the larger rabbits. They live in copses and +thickets more than in open fields. The young are born blind, naked, and +helpless, while those of the larger rabbits have the eyes open, are +partially furred, and active when born. + +[Footnote 2: Genus _Sylvilagus_.] + +Rabbits of both genera, however, feed exclusively on vegetation, and are +at times harmful to crops and especially to trees. Because of their size +and great abundance in parts of their range, jack rabbits are by far the +most destructive, but, except in a few places where they have been +introduced, none are found east of the Mississippi. Epizootics (diseases +which attack many animals at the same time) are an effectual natural +check, and after such attack occurs, jack rabbits are usually so reduced +in numbers that they are not troublesome again for several years. + +Traps and other devices that are effective with cottontail rabbits do +not always succeed with jack rabbits. The recommendations contained in +this bulletin will, therefore, apply only to cottontail rabbits, but +they may suggest methods that, with modifications, may be used against +the larger forms. + + + + +HABITS OF COTTONTAIL RABBITS. + + +Cottontail rabbits (fig. 1) are so well known that little need be said +of their habits. They breed several times each year during the warmer +months, the litters averaging five or six young. The nest is usually +placed in a hollow or depression of the ground, often in open fields or +meadows. It is composed of dead grass and warmly lined with fur which +the female pulls from her own body. The male rabbit takes no part in +caring for the young, and the female weans them as soon as they are able +to leave the nest. These animals breed so rapidly that in spite of many +natural enemies, and of the fact that they are hunted for human food, +they often become numerous enough to inflict serious losses on farmers +and fruit growers in many parts of the United States (fig. 2). + +Cottontail rabbits eat all sorts of herbage--leaves, stems, flowers, and +seeds of herbaceous plants and grasses--and leaves, buds, bark, and +fruits of woody plants or trees. They usually prefer the most succulent +foods, as young shoots, tender garden vegetables, clover, alfalfa, and +fallen ripe fruits; but they exhibit also a remarkable delicacy of +taste in their selection of certain varieties of cultivated plants and +in their neglect of others of the same species. Prof. C. V. Piper +reports that in Oregon rabbits ate Arabian alfalfa down to the ground, +while they did little or no damage to other varieties grown in +surrounding plats. Prof. C. A. Mooers, of the Tennessee Agricultural +Experiment Station, reports similar observations in regard to their +taste for soy beans, stating that they greatly relish the mammoth yellow +variety and that it is practically the only one that suffers from their +depredations. When favorite foods are absent rabbits resort to whatever +is available. It is during summer droughts or when deep snows cut off +ordinary supplies that the animals attack the bark of growing trees or +shrubs. + +[Illustration Fig. 1.--Cottontail rabbit in its "form."] + + +PROTECTION OF RABBITS. + +Cottontail rabbits are valuable for food and afford excellent sport for +gunners. In many States, especially east of the Mississippi River, they +are protected as game. In fruit-growing and truck-farming districts +farmers regard them with disfavor, and there is considerable rivalry +between sportsmen and farmers to have their opposing views reflected in +game laws. The interests of the two classes do not seriously differ, +however, for when rabbits are closely hunted losses from their +depredations are usually reduced to a minimum. Still there is danger +that in years favorable for their increase the animals may inflict +serious injury to trees during severe winters. + +Rabbits are protected (1915) by close seasons in States and Provinces as +shown in Table I. Twenty-eight States, Alaska, and the Canadian +Provinces not mentioned in the table do not protect rabbits of any kind. +In the District of Columbia all shooting is prohibited except on certain +river marshes. In Kentucky rabbits may be taken with dog, trap, or snare +at any time, and the close season for shooting is evidently solely for +the purpose of keeping gunners out of fields and woods during the two +months immediately preceding the open season for quails. In Wisconsin 46 +counties, mostly in the southern half of the State, have no close season +for rabbits. In California only cottontails, or bush rabbits, are +protected. + +[Illustration Fig. 2.--Apple tree killed by rabbits.] + +TABLE I.--_Lengths of open season for rabbits or hares._ + +----------------------+-----------+-----------+--------- + | Beginning | Beginning | Length +State or Province. | of | of | of open + | open | close | season. + | season. | season. | +----------------------+-----------+-----------+--------- + | | | _Months._ +Maine | Oct. 1 | Apr. 1 | 6 +New Hampshire | do. | Mar. 1 | 5 +Vermont | Sept. 15 | do. | 5-1/2 +Massachusetts | Oct. 12 | do. | 4-3/5 +Rhode Island | Nov. 1 | Jan. 1 | 2 +Connecticut | Oct. 8 | do. | 2-3/4 +New York | Oct. 1 | Feb. 1 | 4 + Long Island | Nov. 1 | Jan. 1 | 2 +New Jersey | Nov. 10 | Dec. 16 | 1-1/5 +Pennsylvania | Nov. 1 | Dec. 1 | 1 +Delaware | Nov. 15 | Jan. 1 | 1-1/2 +Maryland | Nov. 10 | Dec. 25 | 1-1/2 +District of Columbia | Nov. 1 | Feb. 1 | 3 +Virginia | do. | do. | 3 +Kentucky | Nov. 15 | Sept. 15 | 10 +Ohio | do. | Dec. 5 | 2/3 +Indiana | Apr. 1 | Jan. 10 | 9-1/3 +Illinois | Aug. 31 | Feb. 1 | 5-1/30 +Michigan | Oct. 1 | Mar. 2 | 5-1/30 +Wisconsin: | | | + 6 counties | Sept. 10 | Feb. 1 | 4-2/3 + 13 counties | Oct. 10 | do. | 3-2/3 + 6 counties | Nov. 1 | Jan. 1 | 2 +Colorado | Oct. 1 | Mar. 1 | 5 +California | July 31 | Feb. 1 | 6-1/30 +British Columbia | Sept. 1 | Jan. 1 | 4 +Ontario | Oct. 1 | Dec. 16 | 2-1/2 +Quebec: | | | + Zone 1 | Oct. 15 | Feb. 1 | 3-1/2 + Zone 2 | do. | Mar. 1 | 4-1/2 +Newfoundland | Sept. 20 | Jan. 1 | 3-1/3 +Prince Edward Island | Nov. 1 | Feb. 1 | 3 +Nova Scotia | Oct. 1 | Mar. 1 | 5 +----------------------+-----------+-----------+--------- + +In about half the States that have a close season for rabbits the laws +permit farmers and fruit growers to destroy the animals to protect crops +or trees. Such provision might well be incorporated in game laws of all +States. For lack of it farmers have sometimes suffered severe losses, +and not a few have been compelled to pay fines for trying to protect +their property from rabbits. In States that protect rabbits it is well +for the farmer to be acquainted with the game laws and in case of doubt +to have a clear understanding with local and State game, wardens before +undertaking to destroy rabbits. + + + + +MEANS OF REPRESSING RABBITS. + + +NATURAL ENEMIES. + +Among the agencies that help to keep down the numbers of rabbits few are +more effective than carnivorous birds and mammals. These include large +hawks and owls, eagles, coyotes, wildcats, foxes, minks, weasels, dogs, +and cats. Eagles, the larger species of hawks, and all the large and +medium-sized owls make rabbits a great part of their food. From the +standpoint of the farmer and fruit grower these birds and certain +carnivorous mammals are far more beneficial than harmful. On the other +hand, poultry growers and sportsmen regard them as enemies to be +destroyed whenever possible. In the absence of such natural enemies, +rabbits, as well as rats and mice, often become a menace to valuable +crops. Indiscriminate slaughter of carnivorous birds and mammals should +be suppressed whenever rodent pests are to be controlled. + + +HUNTING. + +Hunting has been the most important factor in keeping down the numbers +of rabbits in America. In some parts of the country the animals have +been so reduced in numbers by shooting that sportsmen have invoked +legislation to prevent their extermination. Shooting is undoubtedly the +best method for hunting this animal. Ferreting is often impracticable, +since our native rabbits do not habitually burrow; besides, the use of +ferrets is forbidden by law in many States that protect the rabbit. +Coursing with greyhounds is popular in the West, where the swifter jack +rabbits are abundant. Cottontails are often chased with foxhounds, but +the beagle is rapidly taking precedence as a favorite for hunting these +animals, the gun being used to secure the game. + +Where the country is sufficiently open for the purpose, the organized +hunt, in which everyone who owns a gun is supposed to take part, is a +good means of reducing the number of rabbits. These organized hunts are +popular in the West, where they are also varied, in the case of jack +rabbits, by what is known as the "rabbit drive." A large territory is +surrounded by men and the animals are driven into a corral built of wire +netting. While a few cottontails are sometimes included in the catch, +these usually find refuge in open burrows or under cover of rocks or +brush, so that this method is hardly applicable to them. + + +TRAPPING. + +Rabbits are easily trapped or snared, and while these methods of taking +them are slow, they are always feasible when cottontails infest woodlot, +orchard, nursery, field, or garden. Many are caught in old-fashioned box +traps set with a figure-4 trigger with cord attached to hold up the box +lid. + +An improvement on this familiar trap, widely used in the Middle West, +and often called the Wellhouse[3] trap, is a box 21 inches long and +about 6 inches high and 4 inches wide (inside measurements) made of +6-inch fence boards, preferably old ones. The box is closed at the rear +and has a wire door in front which swings inward from the top, a cleat +at the bottom preventing its opening outward. The trap is set and the +wire door kept open by a wire trigger-rod held in place by two staples +in the top of the box. The trigger-rod is bent downward into a loop or +figure 8 near the rear of the trap. As the rabbit enters the trap and +crowds into the back part it presses against the loop, moves the +trigger-rod backward and is imprisoned as the wire door is released and +falls. Bait may be used but is unnecessary, since cottontails frequently +take refuge in dark places from enemies or inclement weather. + +[Footnote 3: After the late Mr. Fred Wellhouse, of Topeka, Kans.] + +[Illustration: FIG. 3.--Details of a Wellhouse rabbit trap.] + +The materials needed for making a Wellhouse trap are: Four boards 1 by +6, 21 inches long, for the sides; a piece 1 by 6, 8 inches long, for the +back; a small cleat for the door stop; 28-1/2 inches of wire for the +door; 22 inches of wire for the trigger; 4 small staples for hanging the +door and trigger; and nails (fig. 3). + +[Illustration: FIG. 4.--Cross section of a Walmsley tile trap for +rabbits.] + +Mr. J. M. Walmsley recently sent to the department photographs and a +description of a permanent rabbit trap made of sewer tile and used on +his and other farms in Kansas (fig. 4). A 12 by 6 inch "tee" is set with +the long end downward and buried so that the 6-inch opening is below the +surface of the ground. Two lengths of 6-inch sewer pipe are then +connected horizontally with the opening. Soil is placed over the joints +to exclude light. The upright tile should be fitted with a tight +removable cover--Mr. Walmsley uses old harrow disks for the purpose. The +projecting end of the small tile is surrounded with rocks, brush, or +wood, so as to make the hole look inviting to rabbits (fig. 5), and that +they may appropriate the den as a place of concealment and shelter. A +number of these traps in various places, and especially in the vicinity +of the orchard, have kept Mr. Walmsley's farm comparatively free of +rabbits. Rabbits occupy these tile traps, go in or out at will, and may +be captured when desired. Whenever Mr. Walmsley visits his traps he is +accompanied by a trained dog that locates the trapped animals. The cover +is lifted from the upright tile and the rabbit captured by hand; if it +bolts from the side opening it is caught by the dog. A short pole fitted +with a 5-inch wooden disk may be inserted in the side opening to prevent +escape. + +[Illustration: FIG. 5.--A Walmsley tile trap in use.] + +These traps are especially suitable for open lands and prairies, where +rabbits can not find many natural hiding places. Built on waste land, +they may become a permanent part of the farm equipment and will cost +nothing for repairs from year to year. Their first cost may be greatly +reduced by use of second-grade or even broken tiles. If one wishes to +poison rabbits, the baits may be placed inside these traps and domestic +animals or birds will not be endangered. The Walmsley trap also +furnishes an excellent means of obtaining rabbits for the table or even +for market without damaging them by shooting. + + +POISONING. + +Poison for killing rabbits has been used in the West with considerable +success. Only in exceptional cases, however, is its use advisable in +States that protect rabbits. The most favorable season for using poison +is in winter or after a long drought in summer has made green food +scarce. In some localities summer poisoning is interfered with by +crickets or grasshoppers consuming the bait. + +The following method is adapted for general use: Insert crystals of +strychnine or powdered strychnine in pieces of apple or melon rind and +place these baits at intervals along rabbit runs or paths. ~Take care to +put the poisoned baits where children and domestic animals can not get +them.~ Where no well-defined runs are visible in orchards, artificial +ones may be made with a narrow drag or scraper. Along such runs or the +dead furrows of plowed fields rabbits habitually travel. Baits may be +placed on the ground or elevated on short sticks along the path, and +should be looked after with care. ~Any baits left after poisoning +operations are finished should be destroyed.~ + +For poisoning rabbits in winter or during droughts the following formula +is recommended: Good oats, 12 quarts; powdered strychnine, 1 ounce; +laundry starch, 1 tablespoonful; soda (bicarbonate), 1 ounce; +saccharine, 1/8 ounce; water, 1 quart. Mix the starch with 1/2 pint of +cold water. Pour this into 1-1/2 pints of boiling water and continue the +boiling for a minute or two until the starch is clear. Mix the dry +strychnine and soda in a small pan and sift it over the hot starch, +stirring thoroughly to form a smooth paste. Add the saccharine and stir +again. Pour the mixture over the oats in a metal tub, mixing until all +the grain is wet. Allow the oats to dry before distributing. Not over a +tablespoonful of the grain should be put in a single bait and this +should be scattered considerably. A little alfalfa hay will help attract +rabbits to the poisoned grain. This poison is recommended for use when +snow covers the ground. It is effective against both cottontails and +large rabbits. + +Partly ripened heads of barley or wheat soaked in a solution of +strychnine and saccharine or coated with the starch-strychnine solution +just described have also proved effective baits for rabbits, but ~great +care must be exercised~ in using them, as ~they are likely to be eaten by +live stock~. + +Cottontail rabbits may be poisoned in winter by baiting them with twigs +cut from apple trees and dipped in or thinly coated with the +starch-strychnine poison. These twigs are scattered along rabbit trails +and are effective against both meadow mice and rabbits. They are less +dangerous to domestic animals than grain baits. + + +BACTERIAL DISEASES. + +The fact that when rabbits become excessively abundant in any locality +epizootic diseases often destroy them in large numbers has led many +people to expect that a micro-organism would be found which would afford +a ready means of rabbit control. The Biological Survey receives many +applications for such bacterial preparations. In reply to all of them it +has been necessary to state that thus far all attempts to spread +contagious disease artificially among wild rabbits have failed to give +practical results. + + + + +PROTECTION OF CROPS FROM RABBITS. + + +Complete extermination of rabbits in any part of the United States is +not desirable, even if possible. They should be reduced in numbers only +sufficiently to secure comparative safety to crops, and before active +wholesale destruction of the animals is attempted the possibility of +crop protection by other means should be carefully considered. In many +cases one of these means would probably be the more economical method. + + +RABBIT-PROOF FENCES. + +When rabbits are abundant and the area to be protected is not too great, +a rabbit-proof fence may profitably be used. Woven-wire netting is +recommended for this purpose. This material is in general use, not only +against the rabbit pests of Australia and Europe, but in our own country +against both large and small rabbits. As our species burrow less than +the European rabbit the requirements for rabbit proofing a fence here +are not so great. Even the cottontails, when driven by hunger, will dig +under a fence, but this may be prevented either by use of wire with +close barbs in contact with the ground or by plowing a furrow against +the lower edge. A netting of galvanized wire with 1-1/2-inch mesh and +2-1/2 to 3 feet high is a sufficient barrier against cottontails. Where +snow is infrequent market gardeners and nurserymen use a 2-foot fence, +but in the North they prefer to use a netting 3-1/2 feet wide, and to +turn from 4 to 6 inches of the lower edge flat and cover it with soil. +Netting made of No. 20 wire costs from 25 to 35 cents a rod. Heavier +netting slightly increases the cost, but adds to the durability of the +fence. Where lumber is cheap, a picket fence or one made of laths and +wire is practicable. When deep snows fall and drifts form, fences offer +no protection to crops against rabbits. + + + + +TREE PROTECTION. + + +WASHES. + +Many devices for protecting trees from rabbits have been recommended, +the majority of which are paints, smears, or washes supposed to be +distasteful to the animals. Many are not sufficiently permanent to +afford protection for an entire winter, and most of those that are +lasting are injurious to trees. Coal tar, pine tar, tarred paper, and +oils, under certain conditions, are dangerous to young trees. Carbolic +acid and other volatile substances afford only temporary protection, and +must be renewed too often to warrant their use. Bitter substances, like +commercial aloes and quassia, are useless against rabbits. + +The most promising simple washes for protecting large trees from rabbits +are those containing lime mixed with sulphur or copperas in various +combinations. Lime alone is not sufficiently permanent, especially where +much rain falls. When mixed with sufficient copperas it has a deep green +color and sticks much better. The lime-sulphur wash commonly used to +destroy San Jose scale in winter has often proved successful as a rabbit +repellent, but its lack of adhesive qualities often makes it fail. The +defects may be partly corrected by mixing salt, soap, or a cheap glue +with the lime and sulphur while the wash is still hot. + +A poisoned wash of starch and glycerin, tried during the winter of +1913-14 in Idaho by a field agent of the Biological Survey, gave +excellent results in protecting young orchards from jack rabbits, and +would probably be equally effective where cottontails are concerned. The +wash is prepared as follows: + +Dissolve 1 ounce of strychnine (sulphate) in 3 quarts of boiling water. +Dissolve 1/2 pound of laundry starch in 1 pint of cold water. Pour the +starch into the vessel containing the strychnine and boil the mixture a +short time until it is clear, adding 6 ounces of glycerin and stirring +thoroughly. When it is cool enough apply with a paint brush to the tree +trunks. + +The glycerin and starch adhere well and form a thin coating to the bark. +Rabbits attacking the trees will be quickly killed. In the Idaho +experiments none of the trees were damaged badly enough to affect their +growth and all the rabbits in the orchards were destroyed. The method is +well worth trying; but ~care should be taken not to endanger domestic +animals~. + + +MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES. + +Among the best mechanical contrivances for protecting trees from rabbits +are cylinders of woven wire netting. Poultry netting of 1-inch mesh, +made of No. 20 galvanized wire, will answer every requirement. Rolls 18 +inches wide are used for cottontails, and the material is cut into +1-foot lengths. One of the sections is rolled into cylindrical shape +about the trunk of each tree and fastened at several places by bending +and twisting the projecting ends of wire. No other fastening is needed, +but stakes or spreaders may be used to prevent rabbits from pressing the +wire against the bark and doing injury through the meshes. These guards +should be left on the trunks, and will last as long as the trees require +protection. The cost of material is less than 2 cents for each tree. +These protectors may vary in size to suit the requirements of any +particular locality or kind of tree. They may be adapted to protection +from the larger rabbits by using wider rolls and to protection from both +meadow mice and rabbits by using wire of finer mesh and by pressing the +lower edges into the ground. + +Veneer and other forms of wooden protectors are popular, and have +several advantages when used for cottontail rabbits. When left +permanently upon the trees, however, they furnish retreats for insect +pests. For this reason they should be removed each spring. While the +labor of removing and replacing them is considerable, they have the +advantage when pressed well into the soil of protecting from both mice +and rabbits. They cost from 60 cents a hundred upward, and are much +superior to building paper or newspaper wrappings. The writer has known +instances where rabbits tore wrappings of building paper from apple +trees and in a single night injured hundreds. "Gunny-sack" and other +cloth wrappings well tied on are effective protectors. Cornstalks +furnish a cheap material for orchard protection when cut into lengths of +18 to 20 inches, split, and tied with the flat side against the tree, so +as fully to cover the trunk. However, they last but one season and +putting them in place involves much labor. + + +OTHER MEANS. + +Few of these methods for the protection of individual trees in orchards +or elsewhere are applicable to young woodlands or forest plantations +where trees grow close together. In these cases the only remedy is the +destruction of the animals or their exclusion by wire nettings. + +Clean cultivation, generally, possesses advantages in preventing rabbit +depredations, since it reduces the number of places of refuge for the +animals; but rabbits go long distances in search of food, especially in +winter, and clean cultivation can not be applied on the western plains, +where dense windbreaks are essential to successful orcharding. + +Feeding rabbits in winter to prevent their attacks on orchards has been +practiced successfully, on the theory that it is cheaper to feed than to +fight them. One plan is to leave the winter prunings of apple trees +scattered about the orchard. Another is to furnish corn, cabbage, or +turnips in sufficient quantity to provide food for the rabbits during +cold weather. These methods have considerable merit, particularly the +first, which seems to give satisfactory results when both mice and +rabbits are present. + +WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1916 + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cottontail Rabbits in Relation to +Trees and Farm Crops, by D. Lantz + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RABBITS IN RELATION TO TREES, CROPS *** + +***** This file should be named 34446.txt or 34446.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/4/4/34446/ + +Produced by Larry B. 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