Cottontail Rabbits in Relation to Trees and Farm Crops Farmers' Bulletin 702

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Title: Cottontail Rabbits in Relation to Trees and Farm Crops

Farmers' Bulletin 702

Author: D. Lantz

Release Date: November 25, 2010 [EBook #34446]

Language: English

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FARMERS' BULLETIN

Washington, D. C.   702   January 17, 1916

Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, Henry W. Henshaw, Chief.

COTTONTAIL RABBITS IN RELATION TO TREES AND FARM CROPS.

By

D. E. Lantz

, Assistant Biologist.

CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction 1

Habits of cottontail rabbits 2

Protection of rabbits 3

Means of repressing rabbits 5

Natural enemies 5

Hunting 6

Trapping 6

Poisoning 9

Bacterial diseases 10

Protection of crops from rabbits 10

Rabbit-proof fences 10

Tree protection 10

Washes 10

Mechanical contrivances 11

Other means 12

Note.—This bulletin discusses the distribution and habits of cottontail rabbits and methods of controlling their ravages on trees and cultivated crops by means of trapping, poisoning, and supplying safeguards. For general distribution.

INTRODUCTION.

Among the serious pests in orchards and tree plantations are the several native species of rabbits. These animals do considerable damage to garden truck and other farm crops also, especially on lands recently opened to cultivation. North American rabbits belong to two general classes easily distinguished by their size and habits.

The larger forms[1] include the arctic and varying hares, or snowshoe rabbits, and the jack rabbits, and are found throughout nearly all of Alaska and Canada and in all the States west of the Mississippi except Arkansas and Louisiana. East of the Mississippi they inhabit the northern parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, most of New York and New England, and southward in