Humane Poison
Humanitarians, scientists and naturalists have now, in fruitful co- operation, completed an experiment in the elimination of the rabbit, that enemy No. I to afforesters and, after the rat, to farmers. When I visited that marvellous bird island of Skokham, I was appalled by the evidence of multitudinous rabbits, which scarcely permitted even the grass to grow. The population on that small island was reckoned at 4o,000, and as they dwelt in the cliffs as well as elsewhere, they seemed impregnable. However, Mr. Lockley, the I.C.I. and Uflaw (the university humanitarians) have proved that even such a stronghold may be successfully attacked by cyanogas, which kills instantly and painlessly, and makes the toothed trap (most cruel and indiscriminate of destroyers) wholly unnecessary. The population on that small island was reckoned at 40,000, and, as time for generations. Doubtless " they love not poison who do poison need " ; but those who are aware of the constant and intense cruelty inflicted in the West of England by the use of toothed traps will welcome this alternative. The trap, encouraged by commercial farmers of rabbits. is, of course, a threat to domestic animals, foxes and birds as well.
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