1 MAY 1947, Page 17

SIR, —For several years it has been difficult to buy cartrid g es.

Fewer rabbits have been shot. We, in company with other farmers, could spare very little time for ferreting. Rabbits increased, but not alarmingly. Last May our neighbour used steel traps. After eight days he was forced by village opinion to remove them. Villagers were angry because their cats were maimed or killed. Along a hedge (Devon bank) adjoining one of our fields, within six days, two weasels, one hawk, one fox, one dog and many cats were killed or injured. The result has been a quick increase in the rabbit population. We find the wire-noose snare effective, though it needs observation and sense to place the snares where they will