NETTING RABBITS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 796, 20 April 1910, Page 8

NETTING RABBITS.

, A NEW METHOD/:. V'v " 'According to. the "Sydney Homings Herald," a liew method' of catering rab- ■ bits: has .been tried on tie South Coast, and apparently been very successful.'. It is at least, highly spoken of by eoine ,landholders, 1 who have witnessed demonstra- ■ trons. The method, consists in.using nets" made of., flax, cotton or hemp, specially ■ cured, and has been introduced by Mr. , C. C. BuUock, a Government .surveyor. i : Three different kinds of nets are used, termed "pocketing," "nosing," and "simplex" • traps. ' The pocketing net is so made 'and set.up that when the'rabbits run-or are driven they become entangled, . and cajinot get out. It is made in-lengths ; of 50 .yards, weighs; about 71b.,' and it is claimed: can be set in five minutes, ai'.d has a catching power of at'.least 250 . rabbit-sl Tho principal way of catching . by this'method is to intercept the rab- ■ bits . between their' habitat and feedinggrounds, by drives, and' by surrounding :■ .burrows,, and' using ferrets. Ferreting, - : in conjunction with the net, is considered ono of the best of methods. Tho nosing net can-be set rigid, and is intended for . : wings in lieu of wire-netting .in rabbit 1 or hare. dTives,' and may :be used for directing rabbits to pit traps or netted '. Jenoes,-to permanent or temporary yards,- ' or to pocketing nets. Both these nets are supported by hoop ■steel jnckcts, and forked; pieces of fencing wire are used to keep the botfcm lino to the ground. The simplex trap is a light : contrivance, which/allows a con- : tinuous stream ,of rabbits to pass through 'it, but not to return, and is intended .for permanent yards, for. temporary yards when drying, and to allow rab- , bits to leave a netted area.* - The inventor ' claims that the method has proved - its efficacy, and wo understand that it is . now being brought. under the notice of , Dr. Tidswell and the Rabbit Destruction Committee. Providing it works effec- . tiraly, the method has the advantage of not-damaging the carcass, where it is intended to use . the rabbits for food.