AN ALTERNATIVE TO RABBIT-TRAPS.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR_") Sra,—Mr. Douglas Gordon has written an excellent letter on humanity to rabbits. As a landowner I should be glad if he can suggest other means than trapping. It is a horrible method, and yet consent has to be given in self-defence. I live on an estate where rabbits seem endless. Tenants and neighbours must be considered, as well as myself. A field of 25 acres has had the rent reduced owing to ravages, and should a weak place be discovered by them the gardens suffer severely in one night. One keeper is employed, more cannot be afforded in these difficult days. Wire is costly, but has been widely used. One man could not shoot such numbers, also cartridges are too expensive. The most one can do is to prohibit traps being laid down at night, which has been done, though it naturally limits the number caught considerably. Any prac- tical suggestion will be gratefully considered, not only for the sake of the rabbits, but also for the squirrels, which, I am
sure, are often caught.—I am, Sir, &c., M.
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