Evening star., 1948-07-28
This and That
By Charles E. ,TraceWeH
ARLINGTON, Va

ARLINGTON, Va
Dear Sir:
Il should be most grateful to E. S. L. If he
would advise me what he grows in his garden
that attracts rabbits.
We have assiduously tried to cultivate the
friendship of rabbit in our neighborhood,
but he remains aloof and we have only a
noddlng acquaintance with him.
1--WE have enlarged the hole under our fence
through which he enters our yard until 1t Is
almost large enough for a bear, so that the
rabbit will not be inhibited by too small
aperture.
Bits of juicy corn, crisp carrots, melon, cab
bage, even grain, have been placed near his
entrance. and at various other strategic spots
in the yard, in an effort to gain his favor. but
he ignores what we fondly hoped he might
regard as tempting decacies.
Perhaps once or twice a week he casually
drops in nibbles bit of clover or green's, ex-
plores the tomato patch with half-hearted
interest, and then rests moment or two under
a BUSH
I'VE are delighted with even these brief
visits. I must confess that when he is In the
yard, the selfish and ignoble idea has occurred
to me more than once to bar his exit so that
he would be compelled to stay longer, but Of
course I dismiss the thought Immediately
we might have planted a small garden
solely for his use, If we had known that nothing
short of vegetables on the vine would appeal
to him, but it is a bit late for that now.
We would appreciate any suggestions you
might offer for furthering this casual acquaint-
anceship into a warm friendship.
Many thanks for your interesting and de-
lightful column which is like a refreshing,
green oasis in a newspaper desert Of political,
economic and social strife.
Sincerely, L. D. s."
Lettuce and carrots grown in garden, will
attract rabbits.
So will petunias.
Any one living in the suburbs can get these
rodents by planting this trio.
The point is that wild rabbits will not take
food handled by human hands
Those sensitive, wiggling nostrils smell the
great enemy of all living things
We are condemned, all of U.s. by those
nostrils.
Cut out as many fine carrots as you please,
and put them in the yard no respectable wild
rabbit will eat them.
He will gnaw bark first
He will starve, rather than touch what vile
human hands have contacted.
Once we tried to lure bunny in the winter.
We purchased a great sack of alfalfa pellets.
and put heap of them in the refuge spot by
the garage the rabbit had chosen.
He would lie right by the alfalfa, but he
never touched any
Almost any annual flower is food for rabbits.
Such plants are quick growth, and therefore
are less tough and hardy.
1t is refreshing to get a missive from some
one who wants rabbits. What are . few
flowers. after all, as against beautiful wild
creature?
We know where three are. in yard up the
block As far as we know, there are no par
tcular dainties there for them
They just have taken up living there. large
rabbit. middle sized one, and wee little
one.
Leggy. the big tiger cat. chases them every
morning but he does it in a halfhearted
appearance
Leggy knows that he hasn't any chance
whatever of catching them, even the little one.
Our correspondent might as well give up
trying to lure the rabbit with food previously
handled. No matter how crisp the lettuce, or
firm the carrot wild bunny will have nothing
to do with it.
He wants his food straight from the hand
of nature and who can blame him? But even
them he prefers to make his own choice OF
location. and here many unknown factors
enter The three rabbits spoken OF are much
closer to dogs and an express highway than
down our way but still they do not come.
They have right to selection, in the myste-
rious ways of animals. At times their prefer
ences seem strange, but If we knew all the
facts, no doubt we would understand.
If our kind correspondent viii persevere with
home grown lettuce carrots and petunias next
season rabbits win come in numbers. We
suspect that here Is q case for pet store
rabbit. They have some beauties, especially
the yellow ones. And properly lodged and
protected from cats, they are lot Of fun.