THAT HUNGRY RABBIT!

Southland Times, Issue 18842, 7 June 1920, Page 2

THAT HUNGRY RABBIT!

To the Editor. Sir, —I read your leading article and also the letter signed “Facts” in connection with the rabbit pest in this province. My conclusion of ‘Tacts” was that here is hidden one of those delightful nonentities better classed as an “armchair” critic. Writing to the papers and figuring with pen and paper is the recreation of his class, which has an unfortunate twist of mentality that by doing evil they do good. The rabbit must be exterminated, and efforts in that direction should be aided in every quarter. In asking that you assume that “50 rabbits equal 1 sheep in food consumption,” ‘Tacts” displays a lamentable ignorance of the capacity of a rabbit, its destructive nature and breeding habits. Some years ago as the result ofevidence taken, as far as food consumption alone was concerned, it was ascertained that ten rabbits accounted for the food of one sheep. This has since been challenged in many quarters where information on the point is sought and it has become generally accepted that six rabbits eat as much as one sheep. This conclusion finds ample support in the fact that at least 50 per cent of the rabbit population is reproducing itself three or four times a year. Any farmer possessed of a brood mare suckling a foal will tell you of the vast difference between the capacity for food consumption in the dry or male animal and that of the one providing for her offspring. The brood mare suckling her foal mows down the grass like a sycthe. To what extent then is the capacity of a rabbit suckling half a dozen young increased by ? Here is a chance for “Facts” to do some figuring. Then there is still to be taken into consideration the destructive habits of this vermin, which tears up both pasture, young feed etc., in a most tantalising fashion. You, sir, have surely come near the mark in gauging the consumptive and destructive powers of the rabbit. Information on the point at issue will doubtless be found by ‘Tacts” if he peruses back numbers of the Journal of Agriculture. This should be a fitting recreation for a man of “Facts’” inquiring nature and talents. Personally my time is fully occupied with guu and spade in endeavouring to unfit the vermin to survive. God help us if in a contest on the principle of “the survival of the fittest” we expect to see as ‘Tacts” would urge us to believe, the sheep beat the rabbit. Trusting to see the Minister of Agriculture initiate an early campaign against the vermin, —I am, etc., OUST THE RABBIT.