The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-09
THE RABBITS OF AUSTRALIA.


MELBOURNE. May about forty
years ago a pair of rabbits was brought
10 Australia and turned loose on farm
about nifty miles from Melbourne. In an
incredibly short time they multiplied TO
such an extent that they became a pest.
The rabbits spread In millions over the
western and northern areas OF Victoria.
They invaded New South Wales and
pressed on, stu Increasing. n thousa nd
miles northward into Queensland.
The western part of Victoria. once
called Australia Felix. embraces some Of
the richest soil on earth. II was n para
disc for the rabbits. who soon made Il
desert. The grass began to disappear
Every green blade and shrub was swept
away as by fire. The settlers saw their
cattle and sheep starving. but were help
less. The substantial stone fences round
the farms were harbors for the imported
plague, and they were reluctantly torn
down. Wire fencing. with rabbit-proof
netting carried well below the ground.
was substituted. Then this innocent crea-
ture took to climbing the fences and dis
played marvellous gymnastic ability In it's
endeavors to get at the crops.
All means of destroying the rabbits
proved Intellectual. Shooting only served
to make them flourish, as II killed out
enough of the colonies to leave more
heaters
were tried. Rabbit drives were instituted.
Thousands were killed In every battue,
but stil the rabbits Increased. Poisoned
wheat served for time. but led by in
stinct the rabbits at last refused the doc
tored grain. Poisoned carrots could not
be resisted until wisdom again taught the
rabbit that to eat was to die. Then
nothing would induce him to look at a
carrot. Arsenic and apples brought n like
experience.
Yet despite their cunning instinct and
experience the rabbits were slowly beat
en- back from point to point Every hole
and crevice that could ofrer thu least
shelter was blocked up. The wire-net ted
fences were constantly guarded. Men
and dogs were everywhere on the watch
to hunt to death every stray rabbit so
bitter was the fight that the rabbit came
TO be regarded with feelings OF greater
horror than those with which the aver
age Australian now regards the bubonic
plague.
Beaten in the west the rabbit. invaa-
ed the north and northeast Here they
found n country suited to their habits
They increased and multiplied until they
came to hold men. dogs and guns In con-
tempt Sometimes the trains were delay.
ed through having run into hordes Of the
Vermin. Dezphiring and beaten. the set
tiers invoked the aid Of the state Mean
while the rabbits had swept on TO the
Male country the home OF the dlngo
and cutiawed cattle. Its 7audy soil and
dry, warm climate suited the Dummies.
They ate Il hare. II was possible 10
travel hundreds os miles without se~-
ing a blade 81 grass Here they ruled
as lords uutl Nr Lascelies one n tho
owners 81 this tract discovered that y,
would grow wheat He determined "a
DO 50
His 0rst step was a crusade against the
rabbits Iuci0sinc an enormous spare
with ,athn-proof ami caftlc~proof ret.
ting he began war m tho rabbits that
ended 60 their destra~tinn Poisoned
water was one of his savorite and most
successful agents All the tanks and
Watrr hoies tn his dry land are fenced
IKE fortresRes With the strongest ot wiYy
MEETINGS and hsrbs The wHd oattla
when suram"r ha. drira uD the natara
sources 81 supply. drop dead around
ther' ln their frantic erov's 20 roach ths
precious water. thN rabbits fail by thou
sands ~ the bose % the impr~rnahl.
barriers
Tho nol sorea troughs are then rysarte,
/ 90. and th, number ~ rabbits fcstroyel
/ ia this way 90 almost Incredible Wow
one cu}crs 20 ADothvr the pest aurgai
The most vtEafoUa Laws were snqrte,
against 81 sul ultimately rs uurnt +r'
/ wrre reduced Go reasonable limits Nov
! thc p, srieerstor ard src pveservfaS csr
I are IN usc AMI fhn shipmeut of -abAit'
/ to EnNiaHa every year by these 90 .auI
: has attaiug3 eucrwaps pToportlous Lac
! yeas 3 tH 80 rabbits were Fhipprd IN.
Z caah returns we've Nii AZ A greet -4N
( 40 iutustrt has arer N-itt .tp ans whar.
/ Formerly she creature waa seur-e O.
/ BOSS ani expense f now affords ira.
/ table oustvses 0ling stores and HIPS
/ fc~'lre millions ans pr,V.tIuE bats rtsE
/ e-5 c'oaks f'r ORR millions -l~'.i .&S
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