RABBITS, AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3583, 25 March 1886, Page 4

RABBITS, AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM.

» — Under this heading, Mr. Jame3 C. "W. Cromnielin, lato Chief Superintending Babbit Inspector, has written 22 chapters, which form a pamphlet recently published by Messrs George Robertson and Co. That the author is well qualified to perform such work is cloarly explained m the preface. Four years ago, when reports from the South-west made it apparent to tho Government that a large portion of tho Colony was infested by rabbits, ho was instructed to ascertain the extent to to which tho unwelcome visitors had spread. In tho year 3883 he was appointed chief buperintendentof alargestaff of rabbit inspectors with instructions to have the work of destruction carried on as regularly and effectively as possible. Ho organised large groups of rabbit trappers, who were placed m charge of soveral OTerseera, and, during a period which extended over three years and a quarter, supervised the operations of pastoralists and workmen employed by the State. Before the close of 1883, acting m his official capacity, he represented the Colony at the conference of chief rabbit inspectors which was held at Went■worth, whero ho had tho opportunity of comparing his experience with that of the officials of Victoria and South Australia. The extensive experience gained during three years is succinctly detailed m the pamphlet m a plain, practical stylo, llr. Crommelin treats of nothing but wbat lie has eeen, and makes no statements for which he has not facts as n basis. Speaking of "increase," lie says : — " In my calculations I have taken six at an average at a birth, and allowed rabbits to breed nine months m the year j some think they average seven at a time and some nine. I myself have got thirteen m one nest, and have often seen ten and eleven. I have also found a nest witli only two m it, bo that taking the averago at six for each litter, and allowing half of the six to be does I am woll within the mark. Babbits consort at three months, and at four months tho does have their first litter. I have caught does not more that three parts grown which were suckling young, and I havo constantly c .night does which wero suckling young and jet had young ones inside of them. I also one day found a nest with six young ones just born about threo feet from the entrance of the breeding burrow, and about two feet further on there was another lot of nine youngster* just ready to leavo; theeo must nil have belonged to tho samo doe, as a doe will never allow another to occupy the same breeding burrow. The progeny, then, of two rabbits left undisturbed, and allowing thorn to breed only nine times m the year, and their first litter at four months old, would amount at the end of tho third year to thirteen million seven hundred and eighteen thousand (13,718,000). Tliis would givo six million eight hundred and fifty-nine thousand (6,869,000) does to commence breeding with the beginning of the fourth year ; that is, allowing Half tho sum total to be does. If, as some say, the young ones do not breed until they are five months old, the number would only bo 3,272,061 at tho end of the three years. But lam positive they not only breed at four months, but they at time 3 breed at three. How advisable it i 9, therefore, to catch tho first rabbits of which a trace can be seen." His chapters on traps and trapping impart very valuable information. He is m favour of using dogs a9 well as traps, and affords many useful hints regarding tho usefulness of bi-sulphido of carbon, which he considers by far the cheapest and most effective agont for dealing with rabbits m burrows or warrens. The ad van ■ vantages likely to be derived by a wages system properly carried out are well explained. Sfr. Crommelin is almost completely opposed to the bonus system, which, according to his experience, is never likely to clear this Colony of tho rabbit pest. The work, as a whole, is worthy of a wide circulation. It should prove useful to all persons engaged m t v e work of rabbit destruction, but especially so to trappers who aro not thoroughly expert m their business. — Melbourne paper.