This isn't the only column in these islands to favour the hedgehog as a pest controller. In Country Life, a regular contributor under the name of Agromenes joins the club and gives a good example of this as the safest anti-slug protection. "Even dedicated opponents of pesticides make an exception when it comes to the slug" and presumably resort to them. For, says Agromenes, "rabbits have a reputation for fecundity, but slugs multiply before your eyes". Literally? Well, he or she doesn't go into details. But when a farmer from Ledbury in England had problems with his strawberry crop, "all credit to him for finding an organic answer. He did some reading in old books and there found what soft-fruit farmers used before there were pesticides".
He came across what our columnist calls the Tiggywinkle alternative. But the most amazing thing about it all is that he was able to get from "an animal refuge" no less than 50 hedgehogs. Fifty! They made short work of the slugs and the farmer got the best crop of strawberries he'd had in years. And "all the while respecting the rules of the Soil Association". This generation thinks it knows it all, he goes on, so it is good to find at least someone who acknowledges that our grandparents knew a thing or two before this age of high-tech farming, etc. Now, he pessimistically and naughtily, fears that the "know-alls will try to breed a super-hedgehog, capable of scoffing 10 times the number of slugs in 20 per cent of the time".
To this reader of his column, however, the great wonder is that in England it was possible to find an animal refuge that could provide him with 50 hedgehogs. That's a lot of spines (and fleas, as was pointed out here a few days ago). Over 500 per animal, not forgetting lice. How many suburban gardens would welcome just a couple of these animals, never mind the fruit farms. Many gardens, of course, would be ruled out, or would cause some unease on the part of the owners, because of having an aggressive dog or a cat. Too much trouble to keep them from worrying the poor little spiny creature.
In country or even suburban areas where badgers are many, a man quoted here recently reminded us that badgers will kill and eat them. But, if you are cat-free, dog-free and badger-free, wouldn't you like to be able to go to such a source as Agromenes mentions - an animal refuge, whatever that is - and be able to buy a couple? Possibly forbidden here?