$" tlbKOTHEKSV Kansas City U.S.A. Copyrighted 1900 by Weston Bros. Price, 50 Gentss. s WESTON BROS.' Belgian flare Scrap Book No. J. KANSAS CITY, U. S. A. Published by WESTON BROTHERS, 334 \ Forest Avenue, Kansas City, U. S. A. Dedicated to Interstate Belgian Hare Club. 21280 66242 Library of Con ' Two Copies Receive" | JUL 171900 Copyright entry SECOND COPY. Delivered to ORDER DIVISION, JUL 25 190U IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION FOR HUTCHES. y.'v v' PREFACE. WHILE reading this Scrap Book we wish our patrons to take into consideration the fact 'that the subject matter has been largely selected by boys respectively twelve and eight years of age who have had two years experience in raising Belgian Hares. Therefore everything will be found as plain and simple as may be expected of children. How- ever, we are certain this information is of such a reliable kind that it will be of interest to all, especially to those engaged in the Belgian Hare industry", or to any one contemplating doing so. Again, every man, woman and child that has read Uncle Remuses songs and sayings about Brer Rabbit cannot fail to be a warm friend of Brer Belgian Hare. We trust our readers will find sufficient information in this Scrap Book to act as an incentive for further practical demon- stration in the art of perfecting the Belgian Hare both as a fancier and as an article of food, and furthermore we hope to be able to say in the course of a few years that we have scored another success in a competitive race with our English Friend. Weston Brothers, 3341 Forest Ave, Kansas City, U. S. A. Two Copies REcavto? IN fffisr copy. A MODEL BELGIAN HARE HOME. History of the Belgian Hare* There are many known varieties of Hares and Rabbits, such as the Belgian, Flemish Giant, Angora, Himileagan, Lop Eared, Dutch, English Hare, Wild, Jack, Cotton Tail, and many others which would be useless to mention. After exhausting all efforts in attempting to account for the origin and history of the Belgian we are inclined to believe that the present high grade and standard is more a matter of con- jecture rather than history. We recognize the fact that many well known writers, gentle- men with honor and international reputation as historical stu- dents, have furnished us with data, notes and localities of the nationalty of the Belgian that will satisfy the most skeptical, yet there remains to a certain degree the absolute fact which is quite necessary to establish a foundation for all modern writers. We are inclined to think the origin of the Belgian is a matter that should not be credited to tradition but to the indi- vidual efforts of the high standard of the true fancier and science which has taken years to produce the present noble little animal which is gradually growing a special favorite with the American people as well as our English friends. It matters but little whether the Belgian Hare originated in England, Belgium, Ger- many, France or any other country so long as he is here and here to stay. The Belgian Hare, as near as we can learn, was intro- duced into America about ten years ago. This introduction has been claimed by several distinguished gentlemen of honor and integrity, and were we in possession of the facts as to whom was 6 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. i entitled to this honor, we would be pleased to give them credit for it in this Scrap Book, but will refer the readers to the articles bearing on that subject and they can believe in them as they see fit. The present popularity of the Belgian Hare is sure to have its run and we firmly believe will prove to be of general benefit to the poor as well as the rich. The professor, lawyer, merchant, mechanic or laborer who can easily provide a means of recreation by having a small or large rabbitry just as his means will enable, him to provide, and produce a portion of the good and whole- some meat that his family will consume at a reasonable cost, which will prove a source of revenue or saving of his grocery or butcher bill. We believe our efforts will be appreciated by our patrons and readers of this work as we feel quite sure the articles herein published will prove of value to all interested. Yours very truly, WESTON" BROS. Origin and History of the Belgian Hare* ORIGIN OF THE BELGIAN HARE. By Feank E. Kimball. Just where and by whom the Belgian Hare originated is a matter not positively known, nor does it directly concern the breeders of to-day. It is quite probable that the first breeds of rabbits used in creating the Belgian Hare were crossed by scientists of Belgium. The perfection of the hare of to-day is due, however, to the skill- ful manipulation of English fanciers. These Englishmen, breeding at first to different ideals, finally created and adopted a standard of excellence. Although several times altered, this standard, in its main features, is the same to-day. Certain of the English breeders, however, refused to follow this standard, desiring to produce an animal of greater weight for meat purposes chiefly, and defeated the very purpose for which they bred. The result of this breeding for extreme weight is the Flemish Giant, massive of bone, and in consequence possessing a coarse quality of meat. No one ever hears of the Flemish Giant being advanced as a table delicacy. On the other hand, such of the breeders (and they were a great majority) as followed the standard, "built better than they knew." As the natural result of breeding for fineness of bone and a silky quality of fur is a much finer quality of meat. So that we have the followers of the standard to thank for the present tender, juicy meat so popular with all. Bearing the above in mind, it will be readily seen that the standard bred specimen, weighing not greatly in excess of eight pounds, is the better animal for those intending to breed for the market as well as for the fancy. I realize that in writing the above I may subject myself to criticism from the breeders of the Flemish Giant and heavy weight Belgian Hare, but I believe that my remarks are the re- sult of experience, and not theory. 8 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. OEIGIN OF THE BELGIAN. Agricultural and Live Stock Herald, March, 1900. The present noble and beautiful animal — the Belgian Hare —finds his remote origin in the wild rabbit of Europe. The domestic hare has been known in England as a large and hand- some creature, delicious eating, but not prolific. The wild rab- bit lacks in daintiness of flesh what it makes up in fecundity. Many years ago, nobody knows exactly when or how, though presumably it occurred in Belgium, the idea was conceived of interbreeding wild rabbits with hares to produce a race with the grace and fecundity of the wild rabbit and the size and tooth- someness of the domestic hare. This process of upbreeding has been going on for several generations, and the modern Belgian Hare is the result. The Belgian has been known in America only about nine years. He was brought from England to some of the New England states and leisurely made his way to the Pacific coast. But not until he spanned the continent were his merits fully understood. Although only known here a few years, Los Angeles iioav has the largest rabbitries in the world, the best foundation for breeding purposes, the finest and most expensive indi- duals, both imported and domestic, and the greatest numbers of enthusiastic and energetic breeders. Los Angeles can properly claim and easily maintain that it is the center of the Belgian industry. x\t present are in Los Angeles and vicinity over six hundred rabbitries, large and small. Most of these carry from fifty to seventy-five head each. Many exceed 200 animals, and a few have over 1,000 each. It is estimated that in Southern California there are over 60,000 high-grade Belgian Hares. The present exposition, which is the result of great outlays of time, effort and energy on the part of the association, is only a beginning. The great interest that is being shown in the -ex- position has proved that the Belgian is destined to become popu- lar in America. Expositions similar to this will be held fre- quently hereafter, as the breeders feel they afford the best opportunities for the general public and themselves to compare views and acquire information. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 9 DIFFERENCE BETWEEX THE HARE AND THE BELGIAN. Human Alliance, February, 1900. When Belgian Hare rabbits first became a study with the fancy, it was generally supposed that they were a cross between the wild hare (Lepus timidus) and the rabbit (Lepus cuni- culas), while to-day many people think the now popular Belgian a hare. They are two distinct classes of quadrupeds, and while crosses have been made, it has not assisted further than to pro- duce a stride mule. The hare in its native haunts nests on the ground, while the young are born the same as a foal or calf, and the Belgians are naked, blind and helpless, and continue so for nine days or longer. The Belgian has proved the nearest ap- proach to the hare in the rabbit family, and that color, shape, length of limb, etc., has been the guide for the breeders to follow in bringing Belgian hare rabbits to the highest standard and the exhibition room. Mr. Thomas Worthington, an English author- ity says, "If a cross is to be obtained, I believe it must be done by the use of the male hare and female rabbit, for if the hare was the mother the young would be born in a semi-formed condition (Silices in nudas), and inevitably perish." Monsieur Broca, an authority on hybridism, claims to have made the cross, but this assertion has been doubted and even exploded in the fact that Dr. Hitchman procured a pair of the supposed French hybrids and in a few months found them to breed well, but the young were born blind and helpless as well as naked, which led him to suppose that the pair had degenerated or else were merely a large variety of the rabbit. The supposi- tion with many fanciers is that the Flemish Giant is nothing more than a large Belgian, yet at one time the Flemish were hard to get that would not show traces of the cross between the Pata- gonian and the Belgian. That point, however, has l^een over- come and to-day we have the distinct breeds. These crosses and origins of various rabbits are very interesting, but naturally take up much space, therefore we will continue the subject later. 10 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. THE BELGIAN HAKE. Western Graphic. In publishing this second special Belgian Hare edition the publishers have no apology to offer except that demand for the first edition so far exceeded the supply that it warranted the ef- fort. Like a meteor, the industry has shot into Southern Cali- fornia engaging the entire attention of people in many walks of life and like a fixed star it appears to have gained a foothold that will in time make it one of the great resources of this country. The experts are united in that this section of the Uni- ted States is by far the most suitable, climatically, for the rais- ing of the soft-furred little animal, and that the assertion is well made is shown in Scorer Crabtree's statement that a finer lot of Belgians than were exhibited at the show last week he never saw. The Belgian Hare rabbit originated in Belgium sometime early in the present century. It is said a few keen students of nature set about to produce a. domestic animal that would re- semble the historical English wild hare, with all its graceful out- lines, beautiful color and size. They weighed well the different types of rabbit which were considered most likely to produce the desired result — the prolific qualities of the rabbit and the color and the beautiful markings of the wild hare. One was selected for its shape, another for color, the next for size and weight, and so on, until finally the production of a close counterpart of the outlines was developed. Many persons have asked if the present type of Belgian Hare is not to be found in a wild state in different parts of Europe. No ; it is not. While there is a similarity in some respects, their habits and characteristics are entirely different. The wild hare is not given to burrowing and only breeds twice a year, while our Belgian delights in terrestrial exploration and will, if permitted, breed five or more times a year, bringing forth from six to twelve or more helpless young to a litter, their eyes not open for nine or ten days, and in every way showing their common rabbit tendency. During the early history of the Belgian, some enterprising breeder pretended to have succeeded in mating the hare with a rabbit. This theory, however, is groundless, and has never been substantiated. All attempts of English fanciers to cross the hare with a rabbit have been dismal failures. About 1882 English fanciers who had become interested in the advancement and further development of our meritorious little pet, drew up the following standard: BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. U 90 Color— Reddish brown ■ • • • • • Ticking— Extended uniformly throughout and ol a chocolate black Shape— Like that of the wild hare ~Jj Ears -, . Feet ,, ( Eves K a- 5 Size -, q Condition Total • 10 ° Most breeders were agreed upon the points of shape, but there was a diversity of opinion as to color and ticking- A3 a re- sult of much discussion, the standard was revised m 1899 to read as follows : ♦Disqualifications— 1. Lopped or fallen ear or ears, o White front feet or white bar or bars on same. 3.' Decidedly wry feet. 4. Wry tail. A specimen should have the benefit of any doubt. Color— Rich rufus red (not dark, smudgy color), car- ried well down sides and hindquarters, and as ilttle white under jaws as possible • • • • • • • • • • ■ *0 Ticking— Rather wavy appearance and p'entiiuL... 10 Shape— Body: Long, thin, well tucked up flank, and well ribbed up; back, slightly arched; loins, well rounded, not choppy; head, rather lengthy; muscular chest; tail straight, not screwed; and al- together of a racy appearance . . • • • • • M Ears— About five inches, well laced on tips, and as tar down outside edges as possible; good color inside and outside, and well set on ••••••••-•'" Eves— Hazel color, large, round, bright and bold. . 1U Legs and Feet— Forefeet and legs, long straight, slender, well colored and free from white bars; hind feet, as well colored as possible 10 Size— About eight pounds • • • • Condition— Not fat, but flesh firm and like a race horse, and good condition 5 Without dewlap . • 100 *The disqualifications are not a part of »£*^^^5^* bUt were incorporated by American fanciers when they adopted it in this country. 12 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. The Belgian found its way to the yards of a few enterprising breeders in New England states sometime during 1890-1 and some two or three years ago made its bow to the Los Angeles public. To-day we can honestly boast of possessing the largest rabbitries in the world, well stocked with as nearly perfect animals as one will find anywhere — England not excepted. Neither time nor money has been spared in importing the the best of England's productions. In the minds of some it may seem the height of folly to plank down a sum of money ranging anywhere from $200 to $600 for certain choice specimens of the long eared fellows, but the first murmur of dissatisfaction is yet to be heard from anyone. Such animals have proved a veritable Klondike for their owners, the progeny being in such demand as to make it difficult to secure them at any price. It is no uncom- mon occurrence for our foremost fanciers to receive $50 to $500 as the result of a single day's sales. It is not intended to convey the impression that all rabbits are sold for such enormous amounts, and that a person must be next thing to a banker to en- gage in Belgian culture, for quite the contrary is the case. One can engage in the business with a very modest sum, and improve his stock from time to time as the case warrants. But let it be said right here : Get the best you can afford ; it is the cheapest in the end. Those who make the mistake of commenc- ing with the mongrel, either give up in disgust, or straightway profit by their experience and purchase something in which they can take pride. Most Popular Eabbit. The casual observer has generally looked upon the rabbit as a worthless pet, and not being familiar with their habits and pos- sibilities was only too ready to condemn them as not worthy the attention they so richly deserve. There is, perhaps, no member of the rabbit family that embraces more combined practical quali- ties than the Belgian Hare, which, through its own individual merits, has forced recognition and appreciation wherever intro- duced. Having all the good qualities of the other varieties, with- out inheriting their weak points, Belgian culture is a lucrative and desirable business. The flesh of the hare has not that rank flavor so common in the ordinary rabbit. It is white, fine-grained, juicy, tender, and pronounced by epicures as superior to chicken. As a taVe luxury they are becoming better known and more appreciated. Belgian culture, compared with that of poultry, is con-idercd much more interesting and profitable. They are easier cared for, require smaller runs, have no vermin to fight and little or no BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 13 disease when properly fed and cared for. There are undoubtedly thousands of bright boys and girls in this broad land who could be making nice pocket money if they only knew how simple and easy it is to breed and rear this gentle little animal. As a Meat Producer. As meat producers Belgian Hares are unsurpassed. Their possibilities are not generally understood by those who have never reared them. Let us look for a moment at the production of one doe. Under ordinary circumstances she can produce from four to five litters a year, the number of youngsters in each varying from six to twelve and sometimes more. We will presume the doe is bred five times during the year, and with the low average of eight to a litter, gives us forty. Xow suppose half of these are does, which is generally the case, your four does from the first breeding will produce young twice before the end of the year, making sixty-four, and added to those of the mother doe we have 104. But this is not all. The four does from the second litter by the mother will be old enough to have kindled once before the year closes, making thirty-two more to be added to the 104, which gives a grand total of 136 from one rabbit in a year. But here is another way of figuring it : We will take the same low average of eight, and if the doe is bred five times during the year we have forty. At the end of eight months they should easily average eight pounds each, if they are right stock or 320 pounds for the forty. You may well wonder if there is any other food-furnishing animal on earth that can so multiply its own weight ; and this is not all, by a good deal, of its probabilities — not possibilities. General Care and Feeding. Whether raising hares for the show room or market, much depends on the care given their diet. They are a very cleanly little animal in their habits and amply repay one for good, whole- some food and painstaking care. They will not eat sour or musty feed unless forced to it by hunger and best results will never follow this method of feeding. The question of water is a much disputed one among some breeders. In my estimation, clean, fresh water and plenty of it is as important as good feed and care. Hares should be fed regularly and with judgment. They will eat anything that may be fed to sheep (tin cans excepted). Oats are a clean, wholesome food, and something the rabbit never 14 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. tires of if properly prepared and made appetizing. A good plan is to feed twice daily — morning and evening — and have a regular hour for this important function. Twice a week a mash of one-third bran and two-thirds oats, which, have been soaked over night in salt water, is given to vary the bill of fare. Generally speaking a handful of oats to a feed is sufficient for a single animal. It is for the attendant to deter- mine the exact amount, supplying a greater or less portion as the case demands. This can be accomplished by ever bearing in mind that the hare's condition should be like that of a well-groomed race horse, firm, hard limbs, body free from superfluous fat and symmetrical. Well cured alfalfa hay is a good feed; however it must be sweet and free from moisture. An ordinary handful can be fed with the grain morning and evening. In the spring, when the grass is green, it may be fed for the morning meal instead of hay, but feed sparingly at first until the animal becomes accustomed to the change, but beware of grass wet with due or frost. Remember this, and don't try any experi- ments along this line or you may have occasion to regret it. Breeding. The length and weight of a doe should regulate the time to breed. As a general thing a doe should not be bred until she weighs at least eight pounds, and has an altogether racy appear- ance. If you are breeding for the fancy, and wish those extra long hares, wait until both buck and doe are eight months old. An important point is to mate the doe to a buck that is strong in those parts where the doe shows a weakness, and vice versa. This will tend to eliminate the defects of both the parent stock in the progeny. Another point : The foundation stock should be of some good pedigreed strain. This is all important. Fortune never smiles on the haphazard breeder. One must know what the par- ticular marking strain has accomplished in the past, and the proper way to keep posted in this matter is to have a complete record of your stock. One strain may be weak in a certain point, and oftentimes reproduce it with startling regularity. To avoid this you must know to a certainty what other strain you mate to — that it is free from this weakness, or you will never reach the top round of suc- cess. Thus you may readily see the importance of pedigrees. In selecting vour brood doe the first property to receive attention is color. She Should have a rich red coat, rather inclined to a dark shade, should be of good length, not too fat, and her coat possess BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 15 a lustre. She must have good under as well as top-color. Next for consideration conies shape. The doe should be of good size, long bodied, and limbs as fine as possible. The more nearly per- fect your doe in this respect, the better your chances for getting shapely youngsters. If it is not the lot of the doe to possess the desired color, be sure you get the fine front and gracefully rounded haunches at least, as in the transmission of this property she is very strong. Taken as a whole your brood doe should have good length of body, be fine limbed, have plenty of ticking and ear lacing, well colored front and hind legs, rich body color, slim, neat head, eye large and full. Let the buck be a. shade lighter, but possessed of good gen- eral body color carried well down the sides and haunches. Don't tolerate the greyish coat for a moment. The fore legs should be free from ticking, and the hind feet well colored up to the hock. He should possess good shape and be of a lively disposition. Try and get a buck with as lean a head as possible. It hss been found that a young buck is best to transmit this property. You will also get more vigorous and lively progeny from such an animal. To sum up, your buck must be of the highest excellence, being particularly strong in head properties. When bred, the doe is placed in the hutch where she is to rear her young, which are supposed to arrive after thirty days have elapsed. During gestation she should be provided with nourishing food. About a week before the family is expected place a handful of clean, soft, dry straw in the doe's hutch, with which she is to build her nest. She may not use it immediately, but don't worry, just allow her to pursue her own course. Water vessels and feed cans should be fastened to the side of the hutch, as she s omet'mes sees fit to use these also. Fresh water should be kept continually before a bred doe, as an abnormal thirst is apparent at the time of kindling. For best results she should be kept as qu'et as pos- sible during the whole period of pregnancy. Look into the nest box after the doe has kindled and ascer- tain if any dead are present ; also not the number of youngsters. Any undesirable ones may be killed. In case of ten to fourteen a nurse doe is necessary. She can be a cull Be^lan or a common white or Dutch rabbit, and both being bred at the same time will kindle together. If the nurse is needed her young may be de- stroyed and those of the pure bred Belgian divided between the two. The doe possesses accommodation for but eight young, and it would be the heighth of folly to allow her to rear more. Better results are obtained by allowing but six youngsters to a doe. 16 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. Care of the Young. - An important point to be observed in rearing the youngsters is the feed and care of the nursing doe. She requires milk-pro- dueing feed, such as carrots, peas, or any of the numerous succu- lent plants which abound on all sides. Bear in mind, she not only has to supply nourishment for her own body, but also a good sized family. Plenty of food should be before her at all times, that she may help herself when so inclined. Too much stress cannot be placed upon this point, and if you desire quick matur- ing, vigorous stock give proper attention in this respect. A little bread and milk is much relished by a nursing doe and aids her i u supplying nourishment for the youngsters. This may be fed two or three times a week if convenient. At the age of two or three weeks the youngsters will begin to show themselves. They may be rather timid at first, but this soon wears off as they be- come accustomed to their suroundings. At this time it is well to place a small dish, or box of dry bran before the entrance io the nest box. This not only encourages their remaning out and enjoying a breath of fresh air but is also an excellent feed. Of course, other feed, such as oats, alfalfa hay, etc., will answer the same purpose. The youngsters may, under ordinary circumstances, be weaned at the age of six weeks. They should, by this time, have a good start and be able to look out for themselves. Give them a good runaway, say six to ten feet long by two to three feet wide. so they may exercise and lengthen out. This also promotes early maturity and aids their attaining that racy appearance so muca coveted by all real fanciers. At the age of ten weeks separate the bucks, as they may cause much mischief if allowed to remain with the does. If raising stock for market, caponize the bucks when about four months old. They will faten quicker and make much better meat if this method is followed. Always keep the little ones covered with the fur provided by the mother until they begin to grow their own coat. Keep your young hares until they are about three months old before you sell them, and both you and the purchaser, will get a fair idea of what they are going to look like when grown. , Hutches and Pens. Provide a comfortable abiding place before purchasing your stock, and you will avoid the annoyance of caring for your pets in some tumble-down style of a contrivance, besides probably the loss of a valuable animal from sickness contracted by exposure and draughts. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 17 The accompanying illustration gives a very fair idea of the construction of an ideal rabbitry. This building is surrounded on two sides with a fine fast tight board fence, thus shutting off all draughts from either direction. The sides of the rabbitry are covered with one-inch mesh wire netting all round. This admits plenty of fresh air, and when night comes a canvas curtain is dropped and fastened at the bottom. You would be surprised to know how comfortable this is for the in- mates. The gable at the farther side contains a large window and admits the sun's rays the best part of the day. The window however, is covered with red opaque paper, thus avoiding any chance of the sun fading the coats of the pets. The sun is a great purifier and is the only disinfectant many find necessary. Hares are partial to sunlight, especially in the winter months and may be seen stretched out sunning themselves every morning the minute it makes its appearance. The rabbitry illustrated covers an area of nearly 500 square feet and has been so built as to facilitate feeding and other neces- sary care. At the end exposed in the illustration may be seen the feed house, which is also the main entrance. From this entrance leads a four-foot passageway, with pens 2^x12 on either side. Eight of the 12 feet is enclosed with one-inch wire netting. The re- maining four feet is enclosed on both sides by a partition four feet high and made of dressed ceiling. A swinging door of the same material divides the two sections and may be closed for the ac- commodation of a bred doe. This virtually gives a hutch and pen all in one, and is a very convenient arrangement, shutting off any chance of annoyance from animals in the adjoining pens. Things are so arranged that while the doe in the four foot enclosure is nursing her youngsters, the owner is disposing of the stock in the eight foot apartments, and by the time her family is able to be about he can open the door which divides the two apartments and thus give them a twelve foot runway to exercise and develop in. As may be readily seen this method gives one a hutch and pen one can stand upright in, saves time in feeding and afford access to the nest box. Two-inch mesh wire netting should be used if pens are on the ground. This will prevent the prospective inhabitants from taking a voluntary departure some moonlight night. Each breeding hutch should be supplied with a nest box at least twelve inches high and wide and twenty inches long, with an entrance at one end six by six inches, and the top so arranged that it may be opened where necessary to look in. Care of the Belgian Hare. TO THE BEGINNER. Belgian Hair Advocate. As many are just engaging in the raising of Belgian Hares, and we have often been asked how to start into the business, we believe a few suggestions to the beginner will not be amiss : First, you must take into consideration your circumstances, for with different persons these vary so much that what is applic- able to one will not be to another. We will, therefore, try to sug- gest ideas that will apply to all, without regard to any particular situation. In procuring stock to start with try and get good ones. If the price does seem a little high they will prove to be the cheaper ones in the outcome. After procuring your stock do not think that you can turn them out and let them shift for themselves. You want to pro- vide good comfortable quarters for them ; not necessarily expen- sive, but comfortable, by being warm and" dry. Hutches 3x4 feet and two feet high for each one is ample room. Inside of the hutch should be placed a nest box, for "Bunny" loves to get in and en- joys a nest very much at times. Provide some soft hay or straw for a nest. You may put it in the nest box yourself, or you can put it inside the hutch and Mrs. Rabbit will carry it into the box herself, saving you that trouble. The above sized hutch will be ample room for a doe and her young ones until the young ones are old enough to wean. When old enough to wean, say about six weeks old, you can put the whole litter in quarters by them- selves and allow them together until about four months old when you should separate them, putting males and females separate. A place five feet wide and twenty feet long will contain two or three dozen of these youngsters very comfortably. Feed regu- larly, and you can feed almost any vegetable. I have found it a very good plan to feed two or three kinds one or two days then change to some other kinds a. few days. In summer time there is so much of a variety to be had, that their feed costs little else than the trouble of gathering. Do not feed too much at a time, for by so doing it becomes wasted and is lost. Scraps from the table BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. I'J makes good feed for them also. No difference how hard and dry the bread-crusts, give it to them and see if it gets too hard for them. I guess rather u nit." For a doe with a litter of young ones, if you have milk, you can feed them milk also. Some say milk is not good for them, and some say they will not eat it, but we have never found such to be the case, and advise soaking bread in milk for them as being excellent, especially for young ones un- til several months old. Rabbits are very great eaters. They con- sume a large quantity of food during twenty-four hours. They do not eat very greedily but they do eat a great part of the time, and put on flesh very rapidly. They need water as well as food, and you should see that they have good fresh water. You should give them just as good and careful attention as you would any other kind of stock. They need it. They deserve it, either for pets or for profit. RAISING BELGIAN HARES. Will S. Covert, Written for The Poultry West. In my previous articles something was said upon the subject of feeding and sheltering the Belgian. I doubt not that many have a different way of feeding and meet with grand success, while perhaps some one is trying to follow my plan and is not succeed- ing. This only goes to verify the statement of many prominent breeders of poultry and pet stock, "Study the wants of your birds or Belgians and then provide for those wants." As to the build- ing of a rabbitry. many may see where our plan is at fault, and be able to make important changes wherein the utility, cost and appearance may be more satisfactory. In this article something should be said on the subject of breeding and mating. Much depends, of course, on the ambition and fancy of the owner, whether fancy or market stock is desired. If fancy stock is wanted, one must use care in selecting the does. Shape is, I think, of more importance than anything else. If she has a long body, and is close ribbed, with flesh nicely drawn, an oval arched back (not humped), a long head, bright hazel eyes and a tail that stands straight, then she will produce stock, some of which should be classed in the fancy list. If the doe is faulty in any of the above points, she will be profitable only as a breeder of market stock, and should be mated to a large, coarse and beefy buck, a good feeder and a quick grower. The Standard calls for a rufus red, rich in appearance and must extend well down the sides and quarters. The points or tips of each hair should be 20 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. black and this gives that wavy appearance, called "ticking." The ears should be thin and almost transparent, with the lacing promi- nent and carried well down the edges. As to breedings, one should use judgment, and thus save the vitality of his bucks. One service each alternate day for twelve days, or until six does are bred, should be enough work for a fancy buck. He should then be given at least one week's rest, after which the same may be repeated, and so on. Of course with mar- ket stock this care need not be taken. When a doe is bred she should be handled quietly and placed in a hutch by herself, on which a tag should be placed, having her name, the date and the buck's number, and this should be recorded in the breeding book, which should give full information as to the name, number and pedigree of both buck and doe. BEGINNING A HAEE FAEM. Poultry and Belgian Hare Standard. When we started in the Belgian Hare business we began in a small way one spring. When fall came we had between thirty and forty hares cooped in covered wire runs, each about 12 feet square and 3 feet high, with a box inside about 2 feet square that could be used by hares when stormy or by the does for nests. Later in the fall, as it began to grow colder, we were rather per- plexed as to what kind of a rabbitry it was most advisable to build in which to winter the stock. We finally remodeled a poultry house in the following manner. To begin with the house was 21 feet long, 8 feet wide, 5 feet high at the front, 7 feet high at the ridgepole and 6 feet high at the back; the board floor a foot from the ground, and the door at one end, next to back. We took the boards off the 5-foot side and covered that side with our inch mesh wire. We then made a second floor 2^ feet above tli3 one already there. This second floor ran the length of the house, was 44 feet wide and was made of matched boards. We partitioned off the two floors we now had and made 14 pens, 7 on a floor, each pen being 44^ feet deep and 3 feet wide at the open wire front and 24^ feet high. The partitions between the pens were boarded up for about a foot and the rest was cov- ered with one-inch mesh wire. In back of these pens we had left a space running the length of the house and 3-| feet wide, where we could keep supplies. The doors in the different pens were made of a framework covered with wire. These doors were 24 feet high and 3 feet wide, and opened into the alley-wav inside of the house. In each pen we had a nest box 12 inches high, 12 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 21 inches wide and 18 inches long, with a hole about 6 inches square in one side. We use sawdust on the floors, cleaning twice each week, feed principally on second crop hay, oats and water, besides a few old vegetables. In this way, with an open front house, we wintered our stock, breeding the does every two months. They stood the two great storms and all the cold weather without any trouble, were never sick, and we lost only one or two very young ones. We think this shows pretty clearly that the Belgian Hare is very hardy and will stand, and breed in very cold weather. In the spring we had about 100 hares, besides what we had sold. We sustained no heavy losses until hot weather came, but even then we got along fairly well. At several times orders got ahead of us and we had to refund money. We have made ship- ments to the northern part of Vermont, to Chicago, Kansas and California. A short time ago we had sold down very close, as we had to move our rabbitry from our farm in Eockland to our new one in Danvers, but we now have some nice young, three to four and one-half months old, besides some breeders that we can spare. We find that a great many of the inquiries we receive come from people who know little or nothing about rabbits, but have become interested and wish to know how to start right, and invari- ably want to know where they can get some book or paper on the subject. We take quite an interest in the way the rabbits are advanc- ing, and we hope that the members of the Eastern Eabbit Club, and all other breeders that are at all interested, will contribute articles on the foregoing subjects, as they will be of interest to breeders and of great value to the beginner. It is not easy to find m books those helpful "tips" and suggestions that may be got from the personal experience of successful breeders. GIVE THE BOYS A CHANCE. J. L. Deyalon, Agricultural Live Stock Herald, Apr., 1900. PROPRIETOR HILLSIDE RABBITRY, DENVER, COLO. The writer visited the principal breeders in a large part of the state of Colorado this season, and in no case was more enthusi- asm shown than in a few places where the father had taken the older son into partnership with him. Where John Smith and his son William were in the business the firm name would be John Smith & Son. In this way the boy is given to feel an interest in the business, and that a part at least of the responsibility as to 22 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. the success or failure depended on him, and would look more closely after the details of the business. There are many lessons a boy may learn from experience in this way that will be of bene- fit to him, such as how to buy to the best advantage, whether buy- ing hares, material for hutches, or feed to feed the animals with. Also how to feed and what feeds to use to obtain the desired re- sult, whether to keep them growing or to fatten so as to be in shape to eat. To the beginner I want to say, get only a few animals to start with, say a trio not related, at least not closely. Get as good stock as you can afford — pedigreed stock should be used at the start. If money is scarce to start with, a better grade of stock can be had by buying animals two and one-half or three months old, and as they mature so early, one does not have to wait very long, as they can be bred at six or seven months of age. It will also be found to be quite an advantage to have a book of pedigree blanks with stubs to correspond; then you can record the pedigree of each specimen, when purchased, on the stub end of the leaf, and if you desire Lo sell it later all you have to do is to fill out the pedigree proper, tear it from the stub, when you have a com- plete record left, showing the animal's breeding, the amount it scored, if scored; by what judge, and to whom sold. A record like this will be found to be worth many times its cost after one has been breeding a few years. With a book like this, as soon as a litter is born, its breeding, with the date of birth, can be entered in the book, and then left until time of selling for filling out. If one starts right in the beginning, they are a long way on the road to success. As to a place to house them, an inexpensive place may be provided by building a frame shed if there is no old one that can be used. A shed 10x20 feet is large enough for quite a number of hares. I have frequently had as many as sixty old and young in one of that size. Some prefer a shed with three sides enclosed and open on the east, with a curtain to drop down when it is cold and stormy. A cheap hutch may be made by taking a lara^e dry goods box, say about 3x4 feet, 2 feet high, Take out one side. Make a door about half the size of one inch mesh poultry netting. Let the door come clear to the bottom of the box so as to be easy to clean out the hutch, which should be done every two or three days. Inside of this large box put a small box about 12x14x20 inches for a nest box. In the back end of this cut a hole about six inches square for the doe to enter. This box should be put at the front of the hutch on the side not used for the door. Board up the half of the front beside the door with a small door into the nest box so the nest can be got at readily. Give the doe plenty of good clean straw about two weeks before she is due to kindle. She BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 23 wall build her nest with the straw and line it with fur pulled from her own body. Sometimes if the weather is cold, they will not pull fur enough to keep the young warm, and they are chilled to death. After one has killed a hare for meat and saved the pelt this can be remedied by cutting the fur from the dry pelt and putting it in the nest the day doe is due. Many valuable litters have been saved this way. These instructions are only for the beginner with but little money to start. A fancier with ample means at his disposal can build his rabbitry and hutches to suit his fancy. The writer's start was a doe costing $2 and two young six weeks old costing 75 cents each, but having been increasing since by breeding and purchase until now the rabbitry contains a lot of extra fine specimens at the head of which is the imported Lord Chamberlain, illustrated in another column, which is one of the finest breeding bucks in America to-day. A letter was received not long since stating that a doe was bought from the Hillside rabbitrv about a year ago for $5, whose progeny had netted the present owner $367.50. He considered that a good percentage increase. Give the boys a chance. Make them a birthday present of a pair or a trio and help them get started. Some of them will soon be making so much money the father will want to be taken in as a partner, and not a silent partner either. If some of the women who are trying to make a scant living with a small garden and a few chickens only knew how much easier hares were to raise, and how much more profitable they are, to say nothing- of the money saved by having a dinner occasionally of the finest meat in the land, there would soon be a large number of them going into the industry. Some of our most successful breeders and judges are women. The writer believes a boy thirteen or four- teen years old can go to school and attend to enough hares morn- ings and evenings to hire a man to do what he would have to do on the farm if he had been compelled to stay at home. Again I say. "Give the boys a chance." HOW TO HOUSE THE HARE. Poultry Culture, March, 1900. Light, air, ventilation are three requirements absolutely nec- essary to life, vigor and health. And this applies to the Belgian Hare as well as to mankind. Housed in a small dark illy venti- lated band box with never a ray of God's sunshine, and most of time rank with filth is it any wonder that the owner spends half of his time dosing his hares to keep them alive, while the other 24 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. half is spent in burying the dead. The first requisite in hare culture is good stock. Culls are to be avoided as they are dear at any price, and it don't cost any more to feed a good animal than it does a poor one. Second, as to the building where the breeding hutches are placed. This should be tight and dry, as dampness and wet are most condusive to snuffles and pneumonia. There should be plenty of ventilation and the hutches so arranged a 6 * to permit of the free circulation of air, and yet not permit the animal to be in the draught. Third, as to the hutch. We con- tend that no breeding hutch should be less than 5ft. long, 3ft. wide and 2ft high. These hutches should be ranged along side of the building, and if detachable hutches are built then a sliding door large enough to permit of egress and ingress of the hare, should be cut in the hutch and through the building allowing the doe and her family a range in an outdoor pen. Opposite this door and surrounding it build a wire fence, first edging down in the ground boards to the depth of six or seven inches to keep the hare from burrowing out. In pleasant weather the doe and family can get out doors and take an airing which will prove most beneficial to the young. In stormy weather this door should be kept closed, confining doe and young to the hutch. HOW TO FEED. Poultry Culture, April, 1900. We are constantly in receipt of letters asking for detailed in- formation on the daily care and feed given the hare. These questions have been discussed many times, but of course there are hundreds of people who still are ignorant. First the hutches need to be good size to allow reasonable exercise, placed in a dry sheltered building. Must have plenty of fresh air, yet no draft directly on the animal. Keep them clean and have plenty of fresh water. The feed for morning can be corn chops and brand, just moistened, as sloppy food should be avoided. We salt ours well every two or three days. For a healthy change it is a good plan to slice in raw onions. Like human kind, they tire of the same thing, and the chops can be omitted and give potatoes, carrots or turnips once a week. Must bear in mind that green stuff should be fed sparingly, so that the bowels are not affected. Such feed with hay is the morning feed. At night hay and oats. As spring comes on a good change is given them by feeding them lettuce, radish tops, plantain and dandelion always given with care. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 25 MAKESHIFTS FOE HAEES AND CHICKENS. By Hattie Byfield, in The Becord, March, 1900. There is no doubt but there are a lot of people engaging in the raising of Belgian Hares, and more than a few are just com- mon poor folks, that could not get money to build a genteel rab- bitry, nor import a buck of royal ancestry. There are rosy cheeked boys and girls, who have earned money to buy a pair by doing errands and selling old bottles, and where the house will come from they cannot surmise, but it is a good investment to buy hares. Some of the farmer's wives would like to invest, and doubt- less, if the husbands were perfectly sure the wives would be able to, hereafter, contribute the groceries and tobacco out of the hare money, they might be persuaded to build a place in which to keep them. There is not a day but that I have at least a half dozen letters to answer on the subject of cheap housing. "We want hares if it won't cost too much to fit up," they all say. Now, here are some cheap ways we have used successfully : We take a large goods box, 3x4 by 2 feet high, if we happen to get that size — we do not like to have it smaller ; in one end of the large box cut a small hole about three inches above the floor. To the outer side of the box we nail a cracker box, the open side over the hole in the large box. The cracker box is for the nest. In the front of the large box should be doors of inch mesh poultry netting and be sure the fastenings are good. If there are to be babies in win- ter, bury the cracker box addition with straw and manure and you will have no losses, even in the coldest weather, if you furnish plenty of bedding, but be watchful when the babies begin to come out of the nest, lest they are not strong enough to get back again. In summer great care must be taken to keep the boxes cool. We use tar paper to keep them dry. If snow blows in we sweep it out as soon as the storm is over. Now, we will suppose that there are fifty young hares ready to wean and a place must be provided. A floored pen 12x14 feet in size and divided in two parts has served us for this purpose all winter. In the center of each pen we have a good sized box with a small hole cut in the end for hares to enter. The box has a floor so we can turn it over and fill half full of hay, then right up again and the hares can burrow in + he hay to their hearts con- tent. We have not had a sick hare in that pen this winter. We have does on one side, and bucks on the other. We never saw a 26 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. case of snuffles, and it is our pet theory, that hares must be kept out of doors to be perfectly healthy. Now we shall tell some of the sisters how we managed to raise a good many early chicks with hens out of doors. We put shed roofs on boxes for biddy and her brood and in front of the box we put a wall tent 4x4 feet. The walls were slatted inside, and were outside doors, to fall down to the ground, when we wished to let the little chicks run out. We used muslin for the roofs and oiled it with linseed oil to shed rain. On cold wet days the doors were kept closed. The slats prevented the hen from coming out and wandering off in the cold. The south gable was a door and we could clean and feed through this door. The box at the back of the tent was kept buried in straw and manure. At night we closed the door to the box and the chicks were very warm. We gave each hen twenty-five chicks and thus, were able to make four tents house 100 chicks. Our losses were almost nothing. The oiled muslin seems to draw heat, and in Nebraska it is always sunny, even when cold. INSTRUCTIONS WANTED. By Mrs. C. D. Bond, Tropico, Calif. Amherst, (Mass.,) Feb. 1, 1900. — [Belgian Hare Editor:] I am greatly interested in the Belgian Hare and want all the light and direction I can get. You have had your day or beginning, and now 'tis the hour for winning. I am situated so that I can gratify my desire to help women to get a living other than by teaching and clerking. I feel that here is an avenue into which many here in our Eastern States can enter and make an honest and healthy living. Will you tell me out of your experience what to do and how to do it? With plenty of room and every facility how shall I make such a start as to insure success? Hoping to hear from you as to how to proceed to open up an industry in a field heretofore unoccupied, I am sincerly yours, Mrs." W. D. Herrtck. |~T would advise you to buy some good does to start with, and be sure they are pedigreed stock, and have them bred to the finest bucks possible. This is the cheapest way to begin. If your means are limited buy a few really good does rather than a num- ber of inferior ones : it certainly pays to gret the best. A fine buck from imported stock, or imported himself, is always a good invest- ment ; thev cost money, but bring iu an income from the start. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 27 If you can't afford to buy a mature buck, a good way is to pur- chase a youngster from celebrated stock ; in a few months he will be useful and. profitable. You will find full information as to breeding, raising, caring for, feeding and hutches, etc., in the Weekly Fruit World, commencing November 11, 1899. Back numbers can be had from the office. — C. D. B.] San Jose, (Cal.,) Feb. 12, 1900.— [Belgian Hare Editor:] Would you please inform me if there are black Belgian Hares. A short time ago I purchased a doe said to be thoroughbred and bred to a. thoroughbred buck. Two weeks ago she gave birth to four young ones, two gray and two black. By answering through the Fruit World you will oblige, yours truly, C. C. I. [Your doe was certainly not thoroughbred or she would only have thrown thoroughbred. Grey, black and white are found only in litters of half-breeds. — C. I). B.] A NEW ENEMY. By C. E. Day, of Colorado, in The Record. A new enemy to the Belgian Hare has come to the front lately. Several parties have told me they had entire litters, just kindled, killed by mice. The only sure remedy I can suggest is to cover the front of breeding hutches with fly screen and then go for the mice with traps and rough-on-rats. Tt is well for breeders to be on the lookout for mice. That reminds me that about one year ago one of our leading breeders was about to trade some hares for some fancy mice. His better half told him if he did. she wo\xld set a trap and kill all of them. He didn't trade. Some breeders seem to worry a great deal about "What shall we do with our pelts?" or "Is there a market for pelts?" That part of the business does not worry me a little bit. The fur clipped from a dry pelt, and put into the nest of a doe about due to kindle, if the weather is cold, is worth ten times what a dealer will pay for the pelt. Very few does will pull enough fur on a real cold night to keep the little ones from freeing. A little help goes a long ways to save the new born litter, which is worth dollars while the pelt is worth cents. 28 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. WATER, WATEE. By Florence Reed, Richmond, Me., The Record, April, 1900. As there is quite a lot said in the March number of The Record about water for rabbits, I would like to ask the people if the non-supply of water to rabbits is reasonable? If any one should say, "Don't, under any circumstances, give a dairy cow water to drink but feed her vegetables instead and she will give more milk and raise a better calf," would any of you that had ever seen a cow believe it? Certainly not. We all know that water is essential to milk production then why not essential that the rabbit have it for the same purpose, as well as for the comfort of the animal. Some one says they give water once a day; that is good so far as it goes, but I think it should be given twice a day even if it is not all drank. Water will absorb diseases, germs and odors, and if the pens are kept as clean as possible, there will be some odor even if we do not detect it; therefore, the water that set all day in the pen is rendered unfit for use in my mind. When I first got my Belgians they did not seem to care for water so gave them creamery milk all summer. After the cows began to eat ensilage in the winter the young hares began to die. I searched for the cause and found it was the milk. They were taken with diarrhea and died in twenty-four hours after being taken. After taking the milk away they did finely then they learned to use water and ever since have taken their morning and evening sups. After the ensilage was gone I gave the milk again, but in the meantime the young hares got stunted, and it was very hard to start them to growing again. In the morning I feed oats, milk, roots or apples, hay and water ; at night oats and corn mixed, hay, bread and water, feed in order as given, using judgment and caution not to give too much of anything, as it will cause trouble if you do. Strive to find out the wants and needs of your Bel- gians and they will be healthy, happy and playful, as all hares should be. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 21> OUE CALIFORNIA LETTER. Melvin Z. Remsburgh, Azusa, Cal., The Record, Apr., 1900. The Belgian Hare awoke one morning in California and "found himself famous." His wide popularity here was attested by the crowds that daily thronged the recent Belgian Hare Ex- position held in Los Angeles, visitors coming 200 and 300 miles to be in attendance. In addition to the show features, there was conducted, in connection with exposition, a restaurant where the Belgian's dainty meat was served in all styles. This feature has done much toward the spreading of the interest since the expo- sition closed. Until recently the breeding of the Belgian has been confined to Southern California, but now inquiries are coming in from the northern end of the state, and that Mr. Hare has won his way to the hearts of the people ,of the North is proven by the change of base of one of the prominent San Francisco papers, which, until lately poked fun at the business, but has now condescended to give much of its space to articles on the hare. Breeding of the hare in South California also has many of .the advantages that breding of poultry does, owing to our mild climate. We have no snow and freezing weather to guard against, but "bunny" will catch cold here the same as elsewhere. By "taking time by the forelock" and bunny by the nap of the neck and applying a mixture of one part turpentine and two parts coal oil, with a free use of salt, we have been able to check and subdue this affection, thus preventing it assuming its worst form — snuffles. We also feed occasionally both eucalvtus leaves and hoarhound, which are both excellent tonics and correctives, and avoid all sloppy foods and use care in feeding green foods. Hares must become accustomed to green foods gradually, and we prefer to feed nursing does no green feed whatever. Belgians often- times display marked individual tastes in regard to their rations. For instance, we have one buck that under no persuasion will eat oats, while another is particularly fond of this food. California breeders feed alfalfa hay mostly, and crushed barley forms the leading ration, which the hares like very much. Manv breeders are discarding the ground floor type of runs, even in this dry climate, and are learning that board floors cov- ered with straw, are much to be prefered, there being far less trouble from dampness. If there is one respect in which we must use more care than any other, it is this one of avoiding dampness, for dampness and health for your hares are not 3U BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. synonymous. Even a partially damp pen will surely cause trouble for both the rabbit and his anxious owner. While our stock now is being snapped up for breeders, yet there are some who are laying plans toward entering the business on an extensive scale to supply the market, that there is every prospect of being a good one. Thus the line between fancy and utility is being drawn, for the market animal, to be a success must be of good size, regardless of color and ticking. The man who can successfully combine all these good points is the man who will win in supplying breeders. We will have more to say on this question later. OUR EASTERN LETTER. By Elmer W. Harp, Buffalo, N. Y., The Record, Apr., 1900. The Belgian Hare is strengthening its hold on the East in a manner which does not attract very much attention, when com- pared with the rapid development on the Pacific coast and in the West, but which promises to place us on a par with each other soon. At present the greater part of the industry east of the Mississippi is confined to the New England and the Middle At- lantic states. One thing which has been a serious obstacle to its rapid growth in this section of the country, was the lack of an organization to centralize and promote its interests, after the American Belgian Hare Club dissolved. An important step was taken in this direction when the Eastern Rabbit Club was organ- ized at the Boston Show 1899. It is a well-known fact that the quality of the eastern strains is improving, partly because of numerous importations and partly as the result of careful study, etc. One seeming disadvantage which the northern breeders are subject to, especially those along the borders of the Great Lakes is the climate. This necessitates indoor hutches. Proper ventilation in rabbitries of this kind, is a problem to some breeders. Probably the best method is, venti- lators near ceiling and near the floor in numbers enough to insure pure air in sufficient quantity. Too many ventilators is almost as bad as too few. If you use the windows for the same purpose they can easily be altered so as to secure the desired effect. We know that of the impurities caused by respiration and otherwise, some being warmer and therefore lighter than the pure air, rise to the ceiling; others as organic matters being heavier descend. In buildings where animals are confined in small quarters, one can readily see why good ventilation is necessary. In the case of the BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. & rabbit the danger is greater because of its size, which prevents it from securing the pure air some distance above the floor. In rabbitries where the hutches are tiered, the stock in the middle tiers thrive better because they have the pure strata all around them. In the open air hutches this condition is absent, because the impurities are treated in the natural way, but in closed build- ings, the suroundings forbid such treatment. One can under- stand, therefore, why good ventilation is an essential feature of indoor hutches. THE BELGIAN HAEE EABBIT. Humane Alliance, February, 1900. This variety, being extremely prolific and also able to stand a tolerably cold climate, is a good one for outdoors. It has num- erous other important points in its favor, as well; it is a very large and handsome animal, averaging from seven pounds to ten pounds ; even twelve pounds in weight has been frequently seen. The quantity of food consumed by this large variety does not greatly exceed that eaten by rabbits one-half their size ; and it may be said that they are nearly as prolific. The young are very hardy and of gentle disposition, soon growing to maturity. If well fed, they are fit for the table in five or six months. Its flesh is parti- cularly delicate, being quite devoid of that rank flavor perceptible in the wild rabbit, and sometimes in hutch rabbits also. If reared for killing, it is usual to wean at five weeks. The hutch for this variety should be larger than ordinary; an occas- ional run over a dry grass inclosure will increase their appetite and cause them to be lively, strong and make flesh fast. Six to ten is the usual limit in the number of a litter, and as the Belgians make good mothers, few of the young are lost. Yet it is a rabbit easily frightened, to its own injury, as, for in- stance, by a rat or a loud clap of thunder ; therefore, avoid disturb- ing the doe at all, for a few days after kindling. Until lately but little attention has been given to this breed, but now their excellence for culinary purposes, beauty of the fur (having a great resemblance to that of the hare), and other valu- able attributes, have drawn the attention of exhibition committees, and special prizes are offered for them. Formerly it was consid- ered to be a hybrid — half hare and half rabbit — but failure has resulted in all attempts to produce any cross, notwithstanding the familv likeness. 32 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. The color of the fur of this useful rabbit should be as nearly as possible like the English hare, or a dark sandy tint, and should, m good health, have a bright sheen upon it. This brown color will tone lighter toward the belly which is nearly pure white. Any white patch upon other parts of the body or head, will militate against the specimen's chance of a prize. The ears should have a black rim at the tips, common to the hare, and be about five inches in length and very broad ; it is not considered necessary that the ears should droop, but partake gen- erally of the appearance of the hare The eye is bold and saucy and very large and bright, in color deep brown. Legs long and straight. The body is very long, even for its weight. If judi- ciously crossed with the Patagonian variety, the young are often of enormous size, and for market purposes nothing can surpass them.' FROM NEW JERSEY. Henry L. Banks, Montclair, N. J., The Record, Feb., 1900. Mr. Editor: — I noticed with interest Mr. Felton's reply to Mr. Davis' criticisms on prices for Belgian Hares. Every fancier holds to his own ideas on such points; and by airing them the fancy at large not only gather pointers but by degrees drop in and let us know how they view matters which helps to swell the columns and that is the very point all magazines can relish and profit by. Raising for market and exhibition are two different matters and I claim, as Mr. Felton does, that in the former it is possible and highly probable that stock can be raised at less cost and far less trouble than when we are breeding for points. Then we must be on the lookout for proper mating, proper coloring, health, points that constitute the standard of Belgians or any other breed and to bring to perfection our pets so that they will stand in closest competition and bring in the true value according to merits and blood. In classing Belgians according to color, of course the best of us run a little off on color, from light and dark and I can say that I have never had a white one thrown in my hutches and few black. On that point I do not agree with Mr. Felton and do not consider the black a cull, but rather of great value in crqssing with very light of the opposite sex, on the sama order that a brindle dog will throw good points by a bitch which lacks them, no matter how well-bred. I have had a clear rufus red doe improved vastly by mating with a black buck, when she BELGIAN HAKE SCRAP BOOK. 33 did not do so by actual test with a light buck and also a splen- didly ticked one. When an advertiser builds roomy hutches, con- struct buildings to hold such and then give a rabbit a separate hutch it stands to reason that prices should advance on such. When the breeder takes pains to pedigree and rear stock not akin it is proof positive that that mode is more work and in the end more productive than crossing at large and letting stock run to- gether on a farm as some advertise. I soften the light in all my buildings by coloring the glass so as not to effect the coats of my pets. A simple matter which carries weight towards richness that the standard calls for. The best way for the young or old beginners to find the true color of his pets, when in doubt, is to visit first-class rabbitries or show rooms — or exhibit his stock and find which the judges give prefer- ence. We all cannot win but a man with good stock will not be at a loss to find benefits from such a step, even if no awards fall ■to his pets. To criticise each other in pet stock columns means more articles of interest, and I trust Mr. Felton and others will not let the matter drop, but raise some other points to be con- tested on by the fraternity. BELGIAN HARES IN MARYLAND. By Otto A. Sanger, Cordova, Md., The Record, March, 1900. Editor Record: — You wished to hear about my Belgian Hares. In the first place I am not old in the business, nor old in years, hence I would not be apt to have reached the high stand- ard of perfection in my stock that some have attained. I am breeding now for practical purposes and have quite a substantial strain which I am selling at a very low price; but the market seems to demand fancy stock. It is a subject under con- sideration now with me, whether the high price that some are re- ceiving is just a boom of the present or lasting, and if it would be advisable for me to procure high-bred stock. My time is needed on the farm, hence I do not want them unless the income is last- ing. Also, money is scarce with me like it is with many young people just starting in an undertaking, and I would not want to purchase high-priced hares without being sure of good returns. If I decide to keep on I will not want- to be without your paper, and I would be glad to lend a helping hand in making your jour- nal what you wish it to be. I find the Belgian Hare to be quite 34 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. an interesting and noble animal, and they deserve attention. Also, if one can make the pecuniary part over-balance the time, work and feed spent upon them, he has surely a profitable pleas- ure at his disposal. Here in this section, whenever the winds bring continued rain from over the Atlantic Ocean, the dampness is too much for the constitution of the hare if not comfortably housed, but through the perfectness by which nature has endowed its mind with contentment, renders this specie of rabbits capable of much confinement, for as certain as I can keep their mind contented and in a healthy condition the body is sure to thrive. Thus weather cannot prevent the keeping of them ; for here a house can be built costing a small amount that will keep a surprising num- ber happy and thrifty if well cared for. One article of diet, that I find to be very healthy for my Belgians, that probably many breeders and fanciers do not use, is the southern black cow-pea hay. It is easily grown, even on poor land, and can be cured so that the hay does not lose its green shade. I give my rabbits nothing but pea hay in the evening, and the next morning it is all gone — leaves, stalks, stems, pods, peas and all. The rabbits seem to be quite fond of eating at night, and I have an idea that they spend more time setting out on a pile of hay chewing away with a never tireless speed than they do in dreaming. There are many more things that I could ask of long-time breeders, who are making the raising of these noble animals a success, and likely could tell of conveniences and inventions, etc., that I have not adopted or thought of that would be of use to others. I think a lively journal wherein unselfish breeders ex- change their different views and opinions on the subject under contemplation, is an honor to the fraternity. EABBITS. Humane Alliance, February, 1900. See that your stock is good. The keeping of such will cost no more than inferior specimens. In handling rabbits treat them gently. The loins are very tender and if pinched may prove serious if not fatal. The ears are very apt to receive injury when lifting by them. Always give support to the body when picking up in that way. It is much safer and more conducive to health of rabbits to raise by the skin on top of shoulders. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 35 A well-bred rabbit is worth more than off-colored and inferior ones. Importing new blood and mating not akin gives value to such specimens. Breeders of such should not be considered un- reasonable in asking higher prices. It is the cheapest in the long run, and most of our exhibition stock come from such hutches. Long nails, or ones that have been cut are a pretty positive sign that the rabbit is old. Watch for that point when buying young stock from unscrupulous dealers. Pedigreed stock is well to have ; that is if the breeder is honest. Keep tally of your ma tings, and start your own pedi- grees. It helps in producing stronger specimens. Separate your stock when they show a disposition to fight or reach the age of breeding. Keep hutches clean and sprinkle wet spots with fine sawdust mixed with "Sanitas" sawdust — one part Sanitas to fifty of the plain. That absorbs the dampness and purifies the air. Feed nothing but wholesome food. Good, clean clover hay or timothy with a basin of oats keeps the rabbits from being hungry. Green food and good fresh water are very essential to their health and comfort. This is the season for looking to the rabbit's health. Only give enough green food that will be eaten up clean and not left to rot or freeze. Scours may be the result, and fine specimens lost for lack of judgment. Look out for snuffles this weather. In most cases a cure can be effected by prompt attention. Give your rabbits salt every few days, either in a crumbly mash or in oats soaked in salt water and then well drained. Eemember prevention is better than a cure. See that your pets are not off their feed. If so coax with a few tea leaves mixed in their oats ; a common appetizer that is found in every house- hold. Do not force your does. Over-breeding is a common cause of poor and sickly young. Watch your buck's condition and only mate when in good health. Then let your doe raise three or four of the most promising young. 36 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. WHAT A WOMAN CAN DO WITH BELGIAN HARES. Mrs. S. Wever, Los Angeles, Poultry and Belgian Hare Standard. 1 have been asked that question so often that I will endeavor to answer it, at least in part, and tell how one woman has man- aged to get a start in this growing industry. In the first place it is as essential that a good house be pro- vided for the stock as it is that the stock should be healthy and well marked. It need not necessarily be an expensive house but should be absolutely free from drafts with enough ventilation to insure pure air at all times. A great many people prefer hutches, but for the growing stock there is nothing better than the ground run, with plenty of shade, and if the proper facilities are to be had in the way of housing, it will be well to be equally careful in the selection of your stock. There are many good reliable breeders in this country, who can and will provide you with the best stock in the world. England not excepted, for it is a fact that most of the fine exhibition and breeding stock in England has found its way here in exchange for American dollars. Pedigrees count for just this much, they give one an idea of what may be expected from the young stock in advance, by knowing what their ancestors were, for like produces like though all young will not be prize winners though their fathers were. But to have good pedi- grees is not all, to have animals that fit their pedigrees is not all, the first requirement should be health, for the best animal that ever lived will soon degenerate into the veriest scrub if left to shift for itself. It is environment, food, and attention that goes as much to win the prizes as does the long list of pedigrees and famous ancestors. All these things should be taken into consideration when buying stock, and while it is a good plan to buy from the acknowl- edged fine show specimens, the work has but commenced, good domestic breeding animals can be had in this market for $10 up to $300, bred to the fine bucks that are so numerous here. One of the best ways to get a good start and the way I started, is to purchase a few good breeding docs, and as fine a buck as I could find. The result now is that I have some of the finest young stork on the market, there is nothing in the live stock line that grows so fast or in such quantities as the Belgian Hare ; this fact has led some of the skeptics to think that the business would soon be overdone, but the reverse is what has happened. In the city of Los Angeles alone there are 1 ,500 places where hares are grown, BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 37 this is from the report of the city health officer, yet we are unable to supply the demand. Every day there are people here from all over the country who are looking for breeding stock and it seems as if the more there is raised the more there is wanted. The de- mand for market stock has kept pace with that of the better grades of breeding stock, so there has been no difficulty of dis- posing of the surplus culls and low grade bucks. But to return to the subject, we will suppose that you have been fortunate enough to secure good healthy breeders and have your first lot of youngsters, the subject naturally turns to the feeding, the doe should have good sound grain, fresh water and sweet fresh hay that is well cured and not watery. If green food is fed it should be done sparingly, the best vegetable food is car- rots, it will be but a sew weeks when the young will begin to run around the box and out into the runs. They will relish the car- rots, it will be but a few weeks when the young will begin to run Care should also be taken with the water dish, one should be used that will not allow the youngsters in their frolicking to fall in and die in the spring time of their youth. That is what I, a woman, have done from the start and now I have but one complaint to enter, the young, with all their rapid growth do not grow fast enough to keep up with the demand for this grade of animals. I have increased my breeding capacity several times, each time getting better breeders so that I now have a good paying business and one that is not only pleasant lint profitable. BELGIAN HARE NOTES. Poultry Culture, September, 1899. We are frequently asked the question. "Where can I buy good Belgian Hares?" If you have any stock for sale-, why don't you let the public know of it? When the does are nursing their young, give them all they will eat. Milk, when they will drink it, a crust of bread or a boiled potato, cold rice or pan cakes. The meat of the Belgian Hare is highly recommended by physicians throughout Europe as being one of the cleanest, most nutritious and easily digested of meat products. When the hares have been exposed to a draught or to damp- ness, and appear as if they had taken cold, three drops of tincture of aconite in half a pint of water is a good thing to give. 38 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. Be careful how your Belgian Hares are housed these days. A hot day, followed by a cool, damp night is bad for the hare if the animal is exposed to a draught. A light cold is apt to be followed by a case of snuffles. It is stated as a fact that the City of Paris consumes 190,000 hares weekly. It seems as if such could not be the case and yet, some countries have learned what a good thing is, and the Ameri- cans are just beginning to realize there is something in it. QUESTIONS ANSWERED. The Recokd, August, 1899. The pioneer Belgian Hare breeder of Colorado, W. C. Schu- man, has kindly answered the following questions, asked by the Record patrons : 1st. How should a Belgian be skinned for pre- serving the hide ? 2nd. When is the best time to castrate ? In skinning rabbits, with a view to preserving the hide, a favorite method with some breeders is to slit the skin up the hind legs, cut around the joint, and then pull the skin down over the body to the neck, literally turning the pelt inside out. It is cut off at the neck, treated with ordinary salt, and a board about six in- ches wide inserted. After the skin is well dried it can be cut to suit. This obviates the tedious method of nailing the skin upon the stable door. In castrating young bucks the best time is when they are about 12 weeks old. It is a question, though, if there is anything gained except to make the meat more palatable. The quicker a youngster is fattened and killed and room made for another one the more profit there is in sight for the dealer. When a hare reaches the age of three months and makes a vicious attack upon the contests of the feed box, the profit decreases. From eight to ten weeks they are elegant for a fry, but after three months they are more suitable as bakers. Out here the demand is principally for youngsters, and market breeders find more profit in them than in old ones. A buyer will pay 40 cents for one that dresses two pounds rather than pay $1 for one weighing five pounds. As a business proposition, we do not think the old ones can compete with the youngsters so far as profit and readiness of sale are con- cerned. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 39 DON'TS FOE THE PET STOCK LOVERS. Agricultural and Live Stock Herald, January, 1900. Don't starve your poultry, rabbits or pets of any kind. Don't over-feed, but feed all the will eat up cleanly. Don't allow your stock to be confined in filthy quarters. Don't neglect to provide them good, fresh water. Don't imagine that you can have success with poultry, rabbits or pet stock of "any kind", without some labor. Don't think you know more than all the other fanciers com- bined. TO BELGIAN HARE RAISERS. Mrs Judson Rice contributes to the Los Angeles Times the following advice to those who are just beginning to get rich rais- ing Belgian Hares : Don't fail to keep your hutches clean. Don't feed musty hay or grain. Don't wean the young under six weeks of age. Don't' breed during the hottest weather. Don't fail to give fresh water twice a day. Don't fail to feed salt occasionally. Don't, fail to have feed standing at all times before a nursing doe. Don't breed a buck oftener than three times a week. Don't feed more than the hare will eat within one hour, ex- cept in case of a nursing doe. Don't fail to give your stock regular attention, and Don't expect to find no disagreeable features in the business. 40 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. INQUIEIES. Poultry Culture. Mrs. M. S. — If a doe does not breed, place her in a larger space, so she can have plenty of exercise and work off all super- fluous flesh. • Make her exercise — don't let her mope, and you will likely find she improves. A. B. — You must be regular in feeding, and be sure the hares have a good supply of fresh water. That is especially need- ful with a mother doe, for lack of water will cause them to kill their young. - J. S. — If your young animals act drooping, perhaps they need salt. Also place a small quantity of sweet spirits of nitre in the drinking water. A half teaspoonf ul to a pint of water and do not have them crowded in to small a hutch. J. B. H., Kansas City. — A few dorps of aconite given in the drinking water at the first sign of a cold, will often prevent a case of snuffles. T. H. B., Kansas City. — The best remedy that we know of for slobbers in hares is the Imperial Co.'s No. 72. And for indi- gestion we know of nothing equal to No. 79 put up by the same company. L. J. H., Kansas City. — We are unable to tell definitely what causes some hares to drop one or both ears. Dr. B. J. Hockabout, the veterinary surgeon who has given considerable study to the matter, is very positive that it is not inherited. And after nearly five years experience with the animal we are of the same opinion. DON'TS. Poultry Culture, February, 1900 Don't allow any stock to be kept in filthy hutches. Don't expect success in any business without giving atten- tion and work. Don't forget to give plenty of fresh water. Don't think you know it all — keep learning every dav. Don't buy a thing because it is cheap. Get good stock and then take care of it. Don't let your neighbor get ahead of you. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 41 A SWELLED EYE. Fruit World. Glexdale, (Ariz.,) March 28, 1900.— [Belgian Hare Editor :] I Have noted with great interest your column m the Fruit World, and venture to ask you for a little information. One of my hares (about 4 months old) has a swelling on one of his eyes. A whitish-looking excrescence appeared m the fore corner of the eye, under the lid, and seems to be growing over the eve, and the eve is badly swollen. The eye has not been hurt on anything, and the general condition and appearance of the hare is the same as normal, though, of course, the pam and the swell- ino- is beginning to effect him. I am at a loss to know what it is, and how to cure it, and can't find anything about it m the books on the Belgian Hare. I would be greatly obliged if you could tell me what it is, and what to do for it. Truly yours, V. E. Messinger. T \ friend of mine had a similar experience with a doe. He took it to an oculist, and had it operated on, and the eye entirely recovered I have seen the eve of a hare closed, and apparently blind, and have bathed the same three times a day with a solution of about five to ten grains of sulphate of zinc to two ounces of vrater, and the eve has recovered entirely. This is a very harmless remedy to try, and seems to be wonderfully efficacious. Of course, the lotion itself is poisonous. — C. D. B.] NOTES OF INTEREST. By M. B. Slack, Pueblo, Colo., Poultry. Fruit and Garden. Feed no damaged hay or grain, nothing but clear, bright hay and sound, plump grain. t' M . Don't keep old does to take up room at three years of age , their usefulness is about over. n ,,„ , ,, Do not feed all they will gorge of cabbage. It will bloat the old ones and give the young scours. . Do not feed all they will gor ? e of cabbage. It will bloat the loss of two fine does from this cause. . Dampness and dirt is a Belgian's worst enemy; avoid these and manv difficulties will be overcome. Watch for barren does, but don't s:ive them up too soon ; some prove in the end to be excellent breeders. 42 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. Do not forget to feed salt. We would soon crave it if de- prived the taste of it an indefinite length of time. Be sure you are suited to the business and then go ahead. Know what you are trying to do and that is half the battle. Cottonwood branches and leaves are well liked by the hares and must be beneficial. They seem to crave something bitter. Experience proves it unprofitable to breed during extremly hot weather. Many valuable does are lost if bred in July and August. If you can't have everything just right, have it as near right as you can and don't keep everlastingly growling, there are plenty of other people to do that. Do not be afraid you will overstock the country when once you start in. This country is large and people all seem to eat and will soon eat all you raise. Water once a day in winter is enough. When they have drunk until satisfied empty the dish so there will not be a lot to turn over and make more dampness to fight. Raise good stock but don't let it eat up all the profits. Cull closely and don't keep a lot of bucks in the way hoping for an order for each one at $50, better dress them at 50 cents each and make room for the next lot. Keep them moving. There is hound to be two classes of breeders ; the one for look^ and the other for use. Each have a place. A thin, gas pipe speci- men will not have as much beauty to the eyes of a butcher as one showing meat. Compare a race horse and one of the noble, good natured draft horses, or a Jersey cow with a big, fat Hereford — both have beauty, who can say which is superior ? BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 43 OVERFEEDING. Fruit World. Don't overfeed; it makes the youngsters stumpy and ruins their shape. Experience only will teach you just what they re- quire. Cleanliness. Now the warm weather is coming on, you can't be too parti- cular about keeping your rabbitry clean. It will pay you in the end. Water. Keep water constantly before them. It is a very necessary part of their diet. Treatment For Slobbers. Escondido, (Cal.,) Feb. 26.— [Belgian Hare Editor:] Please state the best remedy for slobbers ; my rabbits have a case of that. I will be greatly obliged to you for the information. Yours respectfully, F. B. Cottle. [Put a little powdered borax in the drinking water, and also wash the mouth of the rabbit with the same.] CAEE OF YOUNG HARES. Poultry and Belgian Hare Standard. From date of birth the care of young hares is left to the doe until the young begin to feed, which will usually be about the fourteenth day. If it is desired to push them forward, a little bread and milk once a day may be given. This may be alternated with plain corn bread or dry chop. These with oats, and now and then some oat flakes, will be found an excellent diet for the doe and voung. At six weeks old the voung must be taken away from the doe and put in pens bv themselves. If put in with other young of about equal age, t'hev should be so marked as to enable one to distinguish them. Usually this is done by clipping a very small nick in the ear, and making a memorandum of the mark, so as to be able at anvtime to fix the identity of the young. After they are taken from the doe the most critical time for the young be- 44 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. gins, and for some weeks the greatest care should be taken to avoid errors of feeding. If the doe has not been used to green food, no green food should be given to the young until they are past three months old, and then very sparingly until they are made accustomed to it. Xo soft feed should be given to a specimen intended for show purposes, as its flesh will be flabby. The best results are generally obtained by a strict dry food course. At three months old the does and bucks must be separated and a record kept, so that they can be known and no mistake made as to parentage. This can be done by putting in separate pens, but when the room is not available, the marking must be resorted to in order to avoid losing track of the parentage. It seems to be needless to say that all hares must have plenty of fresh water at all times, and should be changed twice a day, and three times in summer. A change from alfalfa to clover hay, and once in a while other kinds, can be used for a change, but alfalfa is probably the best for a usual feed. CAEE OF THE BELGIAN. Mrs. C. D. Bond, A.Q.C.L., Tropico, Cal., The Fruit Would. Feeding. What do you feed your Belgians is a question asked about as often as poultrymen ask each other, "what do you feed your lay- ing hens ?" As laying hens should have quite a different diet from those fattening for market or from young chicks, so the feeding of the Belgians can be divided into four classes — the youngsters when weaned, the brood does, feeding for exhibition and for meat. Feeding Youngsters. They should not be weaned until six weeks old, at the earliest. In England they leave them with the mother for three months and they certainly get along much quicker in this way. If pos- sible, give them bread and milk at least once a day when first weaned, but be sure the milk is sweet. If they do not eat up the whole, remove it before it can possibly sour. Give a small amount of hay each day, and grain, wheat, rolled barley or Oregon oats once a day. I prefer oats, but you cannot always procure it in California, much rolled barley is considered too heating in sum- mer ; cracked corn, too, is good in cold weather. A carrot for BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 45 lunch will be much appreciated by the youngsters, but be careful not to give much green food until they are accustomed to it, as this will very readily cause a disease called pot belly in young stock. Be sure hay is well cured and not grown on alkali land; such hay is said to be most injurious to Belgians. In England many of the breeders give a warm mash in the morning, consist- ing of boiled flax seed or peas, which have been soaked over night, mixed with bran or feed meal until it is a crumbly mass. Eabbits don't like any "sloppy" food, add a little salt and also some con- dition powder at times is very beneficial. That put up by Messrs. Langley & Corbett, Los Angeles, is the best I know of. All rab- bits thrive better on an occasional change of diet, so vary the grain and green food at times. Brood Does. Brood does should always be supplied with food and water in abundance from the time they are bred till they wean their litter. If the doe is poor, give her bread and milk, particularly if she has a large family to raise. Carrots are especially good, too, in this case and a small amount of fresh green stuff. Keep grain always in the hutch. The warm mash will be much appre- ciated by the mother and her young as soon as they come out of the box. Exhibition Specimens. Should be treated quite differently to brood does. They re- quire rest and quiet, while the former need all the exercise they can get. Put them in long runs as soon as weaned, about fifteen to twenty feet long, and put in a 12-inch partition in the center for them to jump over. This develops their length and racy ap- pearance and prevents their getting too fat and heavy. Exhibi- tion specimens must not be overfed, this is a most important point. They should be given night and morning all that they will eat up clean at that time. The most common mistake is over-feeding, which makes them lazy and poggy, and renders their coat rough, eyes dull and skin loose, all of which will be dead against them in the show room. Give them the best of grain foods, with very little hay, as that is bulky. They will appreciate the warm mash and some carrots occasionally. Linseed is very good for the coat. More particulars of their special treatment for exhibition, so that they may make a good showing when be- fore the judge, will be given in a later issue. 46 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. Belgians for Meat. Can be kept in quite small quarters, as flesh is the desired end, and not bone and sinew. These hutches must be kept clean. The smaller the quarters the more necessary to clean oftener. Let them have all the food that they will eat up, at least twice a day. A warm mash, good grain and well cured hay with roots such as carrots, but not raw potatoes, will prove a good dtet. Many people raise common meat stock entirely on weeds, such as malva. This, of course, is the cheapest way and can be done, but a little grain must help and improve the meat. Hares must be gradually accustomed to a green food diet or it will certainly dis- agree with them. Salt. Don't forget to have a lump of rock salt hung in each hutch, or give salt with their mash. Some soak the grain in salt water and then dry it before feeding. Either way is good, but salt they must have in some form. Diseases and Cures* SLOBBEES. By M. A. Nicholls, Lockpokt, N. Y., The Record, Feb., 1900. Every breeder who has had experience in raising Belgian Hares or rabbits of any variety has suffered more or less loss through slobbers. It is caused by the food becoming impacted in the stomach and forming an indigestible mass on which the gas- tric juice does not act, the result being that the saliva, instead of passing into the stomach and aiding the digestion, oozes out of the mouth, forming an irritating, slimy substance which adheres to the fur. The hare in its efforts to clean itself with its front feet, besmears its face, neck, chest and front legs. After an ex- amination of the contents of the stomachs of several hares after death from slobbers, the same impacted condition of food was found in each. Knowing that salt was used with nuts, popcorn, etc., to act as a disintegrator and to aid digestion in the human stomach, I arrive at the conclusion that it would have the same effect on the hare. I found that the young hares did not take enough from the lump salt placed in the hutch to accomplish what I desired, viz., the disintegration of the contents of the stomach and thus prevent the slobbers. Even by adding a dish of common barrel salt they would not in all cases eat enough of it to keep them from having the slobbers, therefore have adopted the method given later in this article. After they show symptoms of slobbers, a teaspoon of salt water administered as often as it would seem necessary from the stage of the disease will usually effect a cure unless the condition is too far advanced. A rubber bulb syringe will be found very convenient for giving liquid medicines to hares. Sponge the soiled parts clean with a solution of "Germol," using about a teaspoon of "Germol" to a quart of water, afterwards dry with a soft absorbing cloth. Clean the hutch and spray with double the strength of Germol solution and put in plenty of clean dry litter. In cold weather the recommendation should be carried out in dry warm quarters. 48 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. As my former system of salting has been very much im- proved on, slobbers, by Mr. James Wilson, of Buffalo, N". Y., to whom the credit of the better method is due, I here submit it : Tske a lump of ordinary barrel salt, the size of a hen's egg, dissolve it in four quarts of water, soak the oats in the solution for three hours, then place them on a screen to drain for, at lea-.t, an hour before feeding. All of the oats we feed to young hares at "Bed Creek Farm" are so treated. Both old and young are more fond of them than when fed dry. Salt is an important, and necessary factor to introduce into the stomach of the rabbit family, at the same time, like almost everything else it can be overdone, and brains are necessary in this as well as in other in- dustries. If breeders would be more liberal in giving their ex- periences and ideas wider circulation through the channels of various journals that would devote space to the Belgian Hare it would result to the benefit of the cause by assisting, not only those entering the field, but those of experience, as there are many things that contribute to success or failure. The journals are doing much for breeders; contribute and make them of as much value to the subscribers as you can. If you are not already a subscriber send in your subscription, and recommend others to do the same, you will not only benefit the journal and your friends but yourself as well. I trust this article will benefit some of my brother fanciers and will cause them to contribute and bring out other points of interest for the improve- ment and management of the Belgian Hare. A SUGGESTION. By C. Whitlock, in The Eecord, February, 1900. Find your Magazine very interesting and instructive and feeling that every one interested in breeding, whatever their specialty, should try and help along by giving their experience. I have a suggestion to make to breeders of Belgians that I haven't seen published but it may be old to some. Hares bred in confinement would naturally have diseased lives. A few days ago I had a fine doe "just die." no apparent disease, I opened her and found the liver very much enlarged and white spots on it, she had been dead not much over a day and smelled very offensive. The other parts seemed healthy. I think a small quantity of Mercury given when the hare seems to be "off its feed" would be of great advantage as I have used it with ^reat success. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 49 One grain twice a day and it might be put in the water in liquid form. Would like to have the experience of other breeders on the subject. Quinine is good but hard to get them to take and I doubt if it would get into the system as quickly. Push the tablets in the mouth as far as possible with a stick and hold the mouth until it dissolves. I fully agree with Mr. M. A. Xicholls in his article in the Denver paper as to the gas pipe type of hare. Fear our breeders will sacrifice the meat production (if they follow that up) for shape. QUESTIONS AND ANSWEKS. By Mrs. C. D. Bond, Tropico, Calif., in Fruit World. Ventura, (Calif.,) April 8, 1900.— [To the Pet Stock Edi- tor :] One of my does had nine little rabbits five weeks ago to- day. They did very well for the first three or four weeks, only they didn't seem to be growing very fast, at least they didn't seem as large as some of the neighbors four-week-old rabbits. But dur- ing the last week they have developed some disease. ' I think it is the "slobbers." Water runs out of the corners of their mouth and their hind legs seem rather stiff, and lately their eyelids seem to stick together. Will you please tell me cause of this disease, and how to treat it ? Is malva and green alfalfa a good feed for the nursing doe? What do you feed the young rabbits from the time they come out of the box until you wean them, and what is a good diet after they are weaned? What do you think of milk as a food for the nursing doe and the youngsters? T< salt good for rabbits? Which is best, wheat or rolled barley, for rabbits? Is malva bad for young rabbits? What is best for snuffles ? Yours truly, . Arabrab Nomcirhc. Nine youngsters are too many for one mother to raise suc- cessfully. It is done sometimes, but if you have a valuable doe, do not put too much work on her, best get a nurse doe to help raise her family. This will save her strength, so that she will be in condition much sooner than if she raised nine. Slobbers is often caused by the voim? sjetting too much green food, but in 50 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. your case, it is probably owing to having so many in a litter that all could not get sufficient nourishment, so hunger would compel them to seek other food, which they could not digest, and turning sour would cause a now of saliva from the mouth. Treatment for Slobbers. Wash outside the mouth and jaws with warm alum water twice a day. This will contract the glands and stop the flow of saliva. Powdered borax in water is also very good; give half a teaspoonful of castoria or other simple remedy until the bowels move freely. Do not give any food hard to digest for a few days. The warm mash as mentioned above will be very beneficial. • Bathe their eyes with sulphate of zinc, about three grains to an ounce of water, and they will open immediately. This is a grand remedy for any eye trouble, but don't leave it where the rabbit can get near it, for it is poisonous. As to the Feed. Malva and green alfalfa are good for nursing does if they are accustomed to green food, but don't give too much. If the doe is poor, a little bread and milk is the best thing for her. Of course, the milk must be sweet. A nursing doe should always have a plentiful supply of clean food in her hutch. Oregon oats, I prefer to any other grain, but wheat is good for a change, and so is rolled barley, but too heating in summer. Youngsters at two weeks are very fond of rolled oats or wheat, and it is very good for them. They will soon learn to eat almost anything, enjoying carrots at three weeks of age. Do not give too much green stuff, unless they come from stock accus- tomed to be fed on it. After weaning them, give bread and milk if possible, for a week or so at least, and the warm morning mash and a little well- cured hay. Bread and milk is certainly the best of food for a nursing doe and her young. Never let it sour in their pens. Every rab- bitry should keep a cow ; it would add considerably to the health and strength of the stock. Salt is essential to rabbits. It should be either given in their water once a week, or a piece of rock salt should be hung up in each hutch, so that they can help themselves as they need it, or the grain may be soaked in salt and water and then put on trays to dry before using. Some rabbits are raised entirely on malva. and green stuffs, but I would not advise you to feed it to fine stock unless it is ac- customed to it. It produces slobbers in the young very often. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 51 Warm Mash for Belgians. Mix boiled flaxseed with sufficient feed meal and bran so that it will crumble in your hand. Add a little salt. Babbits do not like any sloppy food. Give them only what they will eat up clean. If any is left over, it should be removed before it sours. SPOTS ON" THE LIVER, By Mrs. D. F. Ross, in The Record, April, 1900. R. J. Firiley, Dear Editor: — Our family is very much pleased with The Record. We have been keeping rabbits for several years and think they are far ahead of poultry, they are so easily taken care of, have such cute ways and increase so fast, are easier dressed than chickens and we think are very much better eating. We have sometimes found the liver covered with white spots while the rest of the rabbit seemed all right, as C. Whitlock speaks of in the February number. A man in our place who raises rab- bits quite extensively for market told us it was their age, that only young rabbits, say 3 months old, were like that. We have found that rabbits a year old or more did not have as many spots, some none at all. Is there any way to keep a rabbit's liver all right? If so we would like to know how? We feed, water and manage our rabbits the same as we read others do, only we give them branches of apple and cherry trees, they eat all the small branches and seem to enjoy it. Perhaps we do not give salt enough, we only give it occasional^, would that make a great difference do you think? We have a pair of Flemish Giant rabbits we bought, that have had the snuffles, but now seem cured by using Bovier's Specific as advertised in your paper. Hope some of your readers will show us the wav out of our difficultv. 62 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. LUNG TROUBLE. By Dr. E. R. Allen, Poultry and Belgian Hare Standard. I see in the March number of your journal that you intend starting an inquiry column in the April number, and it offers me a much needed chance to have sarnie one that knows give me a name and remedy for a disease of hares that several breeders in this locality are troubled with, and who so far have been unable to get anything that will present death. In the first place it only effects bucks of any age or br-^-d. First symptoms will be hearing a roaring or rattling in breathing, accompanied by a failure to eat or drink. Next, the animal draws himself up in a corner and sits there, not moving or noticing anything. His breathing becomes shorter and faster, and he loses flesh from the first. The last half day he runs a little at the nostrils and eyes. Some have died without falling over or changing their position. None that have died so far were over-worked, and none lasted over three days after showing the first symptoms. It does not seem catching, as they have not died right one after another, nor all in the same rabbitry. But it has deprived us of some valuable stud bucks, and it would be a great favor if you can give us a remedy. The hare business is still growing and becoming more popular here. R. F. Armstrong, Greeley, Colo. Proprietor Long's Peak Rabbitry. The above letter was submitted to Dr. E. R. Allen, a practic- ing veterinary surgeon and proprietor of the Oakland Rabbitry, who will conduct a veterinary department for Belgian Hares in the Standard, beginning with the May number. We have found the subject of medical treatment to be of great importance to breeders of hares, as there are so many who have only lately taken up the work that their store of information is very meagre. For this reason Dr. Allen has decided to devote a reasonable amount of his time to giving any possible information when symptoms and all conditions are plainly stated. The answers will bo published in these columns each month. In answer to Mr. Armstrong's letter Dr. Allen says : "The first symptoms of a roaring or rattling comes undoubt- edly from the lungs, which are inflamed and sore, caused from exposure to cold, a trouble which is especially liable to come to breeders in a climate like Colorado. The reason for the animal staying quietly in a corner of the hutch is the pain he is enduring, and bis desire to remain quiet without moving about is in accord- ance with the action of other animals afflicted in the same manner, BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 53 horses often dropping dead without moving from the spot where they were standing, when afflicted with lung fever. "The fact that bucks alone have suffered is only accounted for in supposing they were differently housed, or exposed to a different atmosphere from the does. "As a cure, give four times daily from five to twenty grains of acetanilid, a white powder which can only be given dry by placing in the animal's mouth and holding the nose up until swallowed. This powder is a coal tar preparation recently brought out for the cure of lung fever, and has been found very effective. A few drops of pure listerine may also be given oc- casionally to allay irritation until the patient begins to improve." Dr. Allen also states that before sending a description of any tronblp, a pest mortem examination should be given, in case an aniinfi 1 has died, and in this manner a more thorough answer can be prepared in case of symptoms which are similar in one or more different diseases. CURE FOR SNUFFLES. By Henry L. Banks. The Animal World, January, 1900. During the last few months several breeders of Belgian Hare rabbits have written me regarding the "snuffles" in rabbits, ask- ing if my hutches were infected. My answer was an emphatic no in every case, yet the Belgian Hares I have bought during the last eighteen months have all arrived with one exception, running at the nose and discharging a white matter. To me it is a case of pure neglect, as rabbits, if they are properly housed and not al- lowed in draughts, or to get wet, will certainly be free from malady. English breeders, I believe, have the snuffles constantly in their hutches, and it may be due in a great measure to the climate, but certainly I do not think that can be the excuse on this side of the water. I have seen rabbits of all breeds, young and old, but so far I can find few as healthy as mine and none more so. In Belgian Hares, of which I have had some two hun- dred and fifty, I have never had one off its feed, and after I had cured the snuffles in the ones I had purchased there was no return of that disease, and not one youngster ever inherited it. I want to give credit to whom credit is due, and I will say that my pre- vention and cure has been tight hutches, no draughts, no wind blowing directly on the hutches and the free use of "Sanitas." My hutches are cleaned twice each week, fresh shavings, which I buy in bales, being used for bedding, while a handful of "Sanitas" 54 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. sawdust is sprinkled on all damp spots previous to putting in fresh shavings. This kills any bad odors and the rabbits con- stantly inhale the disinfectant, which keeps their health much better and purines the air of the rabbitry. If they are sneezing badly I drop a little "Sanitas' - ' oil on the nose, not on the hair, a^ it is not so effective, but just so that a drop or two enter the nostrils. I also wet the front feet with oil, which they rub on the face when washing themselves. When the discharge does not stop in a day or so, I inject a little "Sanitas" disinfecting fluid ; one part fluid to four of water, . in the nostrils and use the oil as well. In every case a cure has speedily been effected, and what is better still, there has been no return of the snuffles. The Belgian Hare as a Meat Producer* THE LABORING MAN'S MEAT. By Edgar A. Miller, in The Record, February, 1900. The Belgian Hare as a meat producer for the home table ex- cels. The Belgian Hare is so easily raised that all the farmers and laboring men ought to raise them to supply their own table with fresh meat and also give more of a variety to the living. Get a pair and fix up a pen 5x10 feet and make some shelter to keep off the hot sun in summer, and snow and rain in winter, and then get some dry goods boxes and fix them up to keep the young ones in until they get large enough to eat, and look after them and see that they get plenty to eat and drink and you will be surprised to see how much delicious meat you will have *"0 eat through the year. The farmers ought to eat more chicken and hare meat and less salt side than they do and they will find that they will be more healthy and they can live cheaper, too. When you go to buy stock, don't be afraid to give $5 or $7 for a pair of good healthy animals as you will find that they will be cheap according to the amount of meat they will produce if well cared for. Some people think $5 an awful price to pay for a pair of hares, yet they will pay $2.50 to $3.00 for a young pig and keep it all summer and fall and then have about $10 worth of meat when they kill it, while a good pair of hares will produce at 10 cents per pound between $15 and $20 worth of much more whole- some meat in the same time. BELGIAN HARES VS. POULTRY. The Record, August, 1900. Belgian Hares are fast becoming known and where this is the case they are proving worthy rivals to poultry, there are so many and varied points in their favor that especially in towns the near future will find them almost as widely bred as poultry. Some of their good points are they consume a small amount of food proportionate with their size and weight, and they are not 5G BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. very particular as to what it consists of, nearly every family throw away enough table scraps to feed a trio of hares and the trio will furnish more and better meat than a half dozen chickens and furnish it the year round, they have very few diseases and prevention is the only safe cure, cleanliness, plenty of fresh water, dry quarters and regular attention are their only needs. As to their meat — when I first read that their meat was en- tirely different from the native rabbits I thought the writer was on the order of the chicken "crank" who sees how far superior the flesh of his favorite fowl is to other breds, I was certainly agree- ably surprised to find that the flesh was fit for a king, it is all like the breast of a chicken, white and juicy, not dry and woody like the ordinary rabbit. BELGIAN VS. FLEMISH MEAT. Agricultural and Live Stock Herald, March, 1900. The demand for both Flemish and Belgians is such that the meat proposition is a thing of the future and will be for some time to come. The Belgian has come to stay and the Flemish has come to "stay with it." The same argument was brought out over a year ago, but since getting and handling the Flemish, we do appreciate their advantages and good qualities more and more and know of no bad ones so far, and have that good faith in them that we do not anticipate any other. We doubt if there is any one within a radius of 10 miles of Denver that have had a broader and better chance or experience than we have had with the Bel- gian Hare as a meat producer — fifty does in service at one time — and could not in the past keep up with contracts with two of the leading hotels of Denver ; but had we the Flemish Giants at that time we would have saved time and labor by raising more meat and carrying less stock to do so. As far as the Flemish meat being coarse, that is true; but at the same time can be and is tender and juicy. Has it occurred to you that as you feed an animal, so will the meat be ? I learned that part in my experience with the Belgians ; can make the m< it dry or juicy. There is a beautiful distinction between bull beef 9nd any other beef for an argument, and can be told when placed before us on a platter to eat. Had Mr. K. a bite of the coarse Flemish he saw on a certain platter, the chances are there would have been no argument. "The proof of the pudding is the eat- ing thereof." BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 57 THE HARE IN TOWN. Poultry Culture, September, 1899. That it is only a question of time — and a short time at that — until the Belgian Hare industry becomes one of vast importance is patent to any one who is at all familiar with the advancement made by this little animal in America. Only a few years ago and the Belgian Hare was unknown in this part of the world. To- day there are hundreds being raised for market, and the supply of breeding stock is out of all proportion to the demand. For twentv-flve years past the hare has been a regular attendant upon the tables of the best hotels in England and France. A short time since, the writer was delivering some dressed hares to a market in this city when a customer came in. The gentleman, who had just returned from Europe and who is very wealthy and puts up at the best hotels, was asked if lie knew what those carcases were. He replied that he did not. But when the marketman told him that they were Belgian Hares he said, "Oh, yes ; T eat them at the Hotel Vendome in Paris and I liked them very much." To the farmer who is tired of pork and chickens, the hare will furnish a delightful change. To the city man whose income is limited, and who in making his purchases of fresh meat is con- fined to the cheaper cuts of tough beef, the hare will prove a wel- come relief from bull beef at fifteen cents a pound. Another attractive feature of the hare, and one that will be appreciated by the- city man with a twenty-five foot lot, is the small space required in which to house his hares. A box four feet by three feet by two feet high placed in the woodshed or barn is sufficient room for a breeding doe, and a smaller box will do for the buck. To a person who is looking for some light employment thai will be both pleasant and remunerative, we Avould say — raise Bel- gian Hares for market. L^/ 58 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. BELGIAN HARES. Animal World, January, 1900. The Belgian Hare is fast becoming a favorite in the rabbit family. They are large in size, bear confinement well and thrive in closer quarters than any of its known specie. The color of the Belgian is a rich red or dark tan. The average weight of a Bel- gian is 8 to 12 pounds. The hare has been reared for fancy, but their virtues have become more known in their fine eating, and are now reared for markets. Various rabbitries have been built to supply the mar- ket, quotations ranging from $1 to $1.50 a pair in market. This applies only in game season, when they are sold solely for eating purposes. Can that be done with poultry? I leave the reader to judge whether he can get $1 a pair average for his fowls in market. Belgians make very nice pets. They like to have their fur stroked, will eat out of your hand • but there is another fea- ture to be looked at. We are all after the mighty dollar, and I claim there is more money in hares than in fowls for market. Here is a quotation from the Rural Neiv Yorker, August 8, 1891 : "Nine-tenths of all the rabbit meat brought to this country comes from France, Belgium and Germany, and in ten months alone brought $1,370,000, and is none other than the Belgian Hare." A couple of doe rabbits, weighing 8 pounds each, will produce more meat than a couple of ewes weighing seventy pounds each. Forty young is the average of a doe in a season. They will aver- age 6 pounds each at six months old, making 240 pounds of rab- bit meat. Breeding* By C. E. Goodsell, in San Jose Herald. i Why do some Belgian Hares bring so much higher prices than others ? Most breeders have their own opinions on the sub- ject, but the opinions of prominent breeders do not always agree in every particular. This disagreement is some times due to a different experience in breeding, and some times to a different in- terpretation of the Belgian Hare standard. In this connection it is profitable to consider the origin of the Belgian Hare and how the present standard was adopted. In the early part of the nineteenth century some wild ani- mals in Belgium were crossed, and the young from these matings were called "Leporines." The wild animals so crossed were rab- bits and not hares. No attempt to cross hares with rabbits has ever been successful, although there is a false tradition that Bel- gian hares originated from such a cross. The genuine hare is born with eyes open and able to run around at once, while the young of a rabbit are almost naked and do not get their eyes open for about a week. Our California jack rabbit is really a hare, while the Bel- gian hare is really a rabbit. The Leporines were taken to England just before the middle of the century and received the highest development there, so that England became known as the home of the Belgian Hare. English breeders succeeded in producing an animal that was practical, beautiful, and would stand confinement. Two distinct types were finally developed. One bred only for size and meat, became known as the Flemish Giant, while others, bred also for beauty, are now known as Belgian Hares. The first standard was adopted in England in 1878 and did not require the animal to be so long and racy, and the ticking extended from head to foot and over the entire animal. But in 1882 the standard was changed to the form in which we now have it, and the name of the animal was changed 1o Bel- gian Hare, because they wished to breed toward the shape of the wild hare of England. It also requires the animal to be more racy. GO BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. The new standard took the ticking off the front legs and feet, ears, shoulders and lower sides. Ticking should now be heavier where the hip bones of the hindquarters couple on to the back- bone, should diminish in quantity as it recedes from the coupling Early in 1897, in England the first Flemish Giant standard was adopted, which requires steel gray color with even ticking, while the Belgian Hare standard requires the ticking to be wavy in appearance. Early in 1897 the National Belgian Hare Club of America was organized and adopted the English standard. That standard fixes a certain size, shape, color and quality for many sections of the body, and also fixes a value upon the different sections. Many inexperienced persons in buying hares look only to the color of the animal and ignore the size, shape and quality of the important sections, such as head, eyes, ears, feet, length of body, etc. It is right to consider color as most important, for, out of a possible 100 points the color of all the sections added together, is worth 45^ points, but the total valuation on shape of the dif- ferent sections is 31-J points, which makes shape nearly as im- portant as color. Size has a total value of 1H points and quality 11-| points. These values are from the score card of the National Belgian Hare Club of America, which is the score card used at all the big shows up to the present time. There is some dissatis- faction with the score card and the standard, and, no doubt, there are some points in which both could be improved, if it were wise to make any change before the industry is more firmly estab- lished. But undoubtedly much of the dissatisfaction comes from parties whose animals failed to win at some show or from parties who do not understand the score card, and if any change is made in the standard it should be agreed to by a majority of the Belgian Hart' Club and Breeders in America, for otherwise each county might have its own standard, and parties buying hares in one county under one standard would not know what their value might be in some other county with a different standard. The continued success of the industry depends on having the same standard all over the country. The score card names twenty-nine different sections and tolls which are perfect, and if not perfect, by the amount cut it tells how weak each section is, and thus enables you to select two animals for mating so that one will counteract the weak points of the other with a view to produce young ones that will be better than oithor parent. Fp to the present time the highest official score ever given any Belgian Hare is 96 points out of a possible 100, and only two or three have over scored 9fi. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. Gl The standard does not prescribe any particular color for the belly, but many strive to obtain a dark cinnamon color, which is a great mistake, for experience shows that a belly of that color nearly always accompanies poor color in the most important sec- tions. It is accompanied by blue color on the sides of the hind feet, deep blue under-color on back, sides and hindquarters, and hurts the color of the ears. Neither should the belly be white. Experience shows that the finest animals have a bright rich cream colored belly and that is what we should seek. The more points of excellence that we can combine in one animal the more valuable the animal, and to produce high-class hares requires great skill in mating and breeding. Hares raised in California have better health and are easier to care for than in England or other parts of the United States, and as California now has a greater number of fine hares than any other state in the Union, we will have a great market for our fine stock. While in Los Angeles I met a gentleman from Chi- cago and other eastern cities who was buying hares to ship East, I also met the city treasurer of St. Paul, Minn., who told me that he did riot know of any hares in the state of Minnesota, but that he intended to take some back with him. So the industry will continue to spread and it will take years to supply the demand for fancy breeding stock. Much might be written about the health, feed and' hutches, and still more about mating and breeding for fancy points, s RAISING FOB MARKET. By Mrs. N. F. Almond, Poultry & Belgian Hare Standard. In this connection I regard the rules given in The Standard as applicable to the raising of market stock. What ever will pro- duce a good, healthy, vigorous growth, is essential for growing stock for market. I understand this to mean to market as meat. If to be used for meat only, without reference to the grade as per standard, I would mate for size and weight and pay no attention to keeping the young, so as to be able to pedigree them, as for mar- keeping the young, so as to be able to pedigree them, as for mar- ket that would be unnecessary, though I believe the best results in producing meat can only be attained from well bred stock. The flesh is finer and more delicate than the mongrels bred hap- hazard. There is less waste in bone, as well as being finer meat. The hares either for market or fancy must be kept in clean quarters, whether in hutch or pen. Dust and dirt are dangerous ; 62 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. fresh, pure air necessary. Less attention to light is required when the hares are for market, and the young can be left in pens until they are ready, but not in large numbers crowded into close quarters. Not more than eight should be in a pen four by six feet, and fewer would be the better. Market stock should not Be allowed more exercise than is required for health. The best age to kill for market is at four to five months. They should then weigh about five pounds dressed. The larger ones do not sell as readily as those weighing four to five pounds. Corn is a great, flesh producer and can be fed in very many ways. Hares like it, eat it readily, and thrive on it. But it must never be fed in a sloppy state, or left to stand until sour. I find that most persons who fail in the Belgian Hare industry are those who do not give attention to the details" of the business — the little things, such as taking away sour or stale feed, looking into nest boxes and keeping all parts clean. It is in such things that success lies, and they must be attended to, whether raising for market or not/ Selection of Breeding Stock. I find that many persons are of the opinion that for breeders for ularket, or meat only, any old thing will do. If one would only stop to consider they would come to a very different con- clusion. A razor-back hog is not as good pork as a well bred ani- mal. The same holds good with hares. Persons often come to me for breeders and say, "Oh, I only want a cheap doe, that will do to raise meat." In selecting a pair of breeders, either for meat or fancy, get as high a grade as you can afford. Choose a lengthy animal, with a bright round eye, erect ears, smooth shining coat, good straight feet. In the doe get a small head ; in the buck as good a head as possible. It is therefore essential that the buck should be as good as possible. If one cannot afford a choice buck, better take your doe to one that is fine than to own a poor one and breed to that. The same rules apply to breeding hares as to other animals, to close in-breeding is not desirable. Mate your pairs to overcome whatever faults exist in the doe, and if you are unable to get the best to begin with, if you have the blood of a fine line of stock and breed properly, you can bring your stock up in time to a high standard. This can never be done by buying "any old thing" to start with. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. (53 FOR BEGINNERS IN HARE BREEDING. Poultry and Belgian Standard. The first question is the proper size and construction of hutches or quarters for keeping hares. It is true, nearly every breeder has some little difference in planning and arranging these accommodations but they are practically all the same, the average size being about 3x5 feet and where they are built in double or triple rows around the side of the building they are three feet deep and the length runs with the building. The nest box is most convenient when one end of the length of hutch is solidly partitioned off and a door the full size of this compartment should open outward while a square hole at the back wall inside the hutch allows the entrance of the doe. She then prepares her nest in the front end of the nest box, where, on opening the out- side door the little ones are in plain view and easily reached when necessary. The front of hutch is a screen made of chick netting and is full size of hutch usually, to allow plenty of room in cleaning. The door to nest box should be solid boards and made to fit closely to protect the young from draughts and cold. The usual height of hutches is two feet. Many breeders prefer making the nest box only one foot of this height, allowing the top of box to form a shelf, or resting place for doe and they seem to greatly enjoy this favor as it is always dry and clean which is sometimes not the case with the bottom of the hutch. Another idea, which insures perfect ventilation in hot sum- mer months, is to allow a few inches of air space between back wall and the hutches, having the entire back made of chick net- ting, excepting of course, the nest box end. This is not neces- sary when the hutches are movable or made singly as large open- ings are usually left about the top to insure free circulation of air. If disease would be avoided the hutches must be kept clean, and in order to accomplish this some absorbent should be kept on the floor, such as a liberal sprinkle of sawdust or fresh straw, or both, but this bedding must be changed frequently or it be- comes wet and sodden with filth, and worse, if possible, than a bare floor when neglected. In rabbitries which are regularly cleaned there is no disagreeable odor, and little trouble from the diseases arising from neglect. Cleanliness and plenty of fresh air are of great importance in successfully raising hares. For feed and water small earthenware crocks are best, one for each, and being rather heavy they do not upset as easily as something lighter. 04 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. Clover or alfalfa hay should be fed liberally and regular feeds of oats and corn chop and some vegetables are best with an occasional feed of bread and milk or eornmeal mush cooked dry for the mothers. The young are usually weaned at four to six weeks of age when they should have cooked corn chop, boiled wheat or bread and milk rather than a continuous diet of grains, at least for a short time. After the young are weaned about two months should be al- lowed the does before being bred again, three months in all be- tAveen breeding times being better than oftener to insure vigorous offspring. BKEEDING BELGIANS. Kemp, in The California Cultivator. '"Speaking from my own experience, I prefer to breed four times a year; October, December, February and April. These are our coolest months and best suited for paying results, every- thing considered. "A doe bred in October will kindle during November. When the youngsters attain the age of 4 weeks, breed again, and at 6 weeks they may be taken from the doe and placed in a spacious room, so that they may have plenty of exercise to encourage ear!} maturity. "In my estimation the length and weight of a doe should regulate the time when she may be bred in preference to any given age. In this climate our hares mature much quicker than in some other localities where surrounding conditions are not "so favorable. "If you are breeding for the fancy, and wish those extra long hares, wait until both buck and doe weigh eight pounds. A small doe and large buck will not produce large hares. Look to your buck for color and to doe for size and shape, but the better the color of the doe the better the youngsters. "After carefully selecting your breeders allow the doe to visit the buck. Always remove her gently to the buck's hutch. If she is not in season she will run from him and try to avoid his attentions. A few minutes will decide the question either way. You may wait five or ten minutes, and if the doe is still unwilling, fake her back to her hutch, that she may not be worried by the buck. Next day try her again. It seldom takes more thin two or three trials. When the bnck serves the doe once it is sufficient. Better results have been known to follow, in more than one, when BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 65 this rule was adhered to. It is an acknowledged fact among the foremost breeders of Belgian Hares that, as a rule, a doe will kindle with more young as a result of one good service than from two or three. "When bred, the doe is placed in the hutch where she is to rear her young, which are supposed to arrive after thirty days have elapsed. During gestation she should be well provided with nourishing food/' A FATAL MISTAKE. By H. Pittock, Elmhurst, Cal... in The Kecord, Nov., 1900. In response to your request I herewith submit a brief review of my experience with the Belgian Hare as a marketable com- modity. Looking for some Plymouth Eock fowls about a year ago I stumbled onto a Belgian Hare doe with 8 2-months-old young- sters. She was a very pretty thing and at once won my interest, and learning that she was for sale I bought her and her family. Having an empty stall in my barn I made that into two temporary pens and thus made bunnies quite comfortable. I next looked around for a good buck, and having found one to suit me I bred the doe. I soon found that if I would avoid trouble I must separate the youngsters, so put in another partition and commenced to separate according to sex, but to my great joy (for I had the breeding fever) only found one male. Well the next thing was to provide a suitable male to head this tribe and an active search resulted in the finding of a very good specimen for which I exchanged my male and I was ready for business on an independent scale. As soon as the young reached the age of 5 months breeding commenced and I had to look around for more hutches as I sup- posed each mother must have separate quarters. Dry good boxes obtained at the nearest town for 15 to 25 cents each seems to nicely supply this need and a little work in remodeling made them quite comfortable. Well here they come 3-5-6-7 and even 9 at a clip rabbits every where, but not satisfied with this I here made my First Fatal Mistake By again breeding my does at once and the result was that when the youngsters of No. 1 most needed a mother's care, crop 66 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. No. 2 was at hand and crop No. 1 had to be pushed off to care for themselves and the result was a fatal check, but how about the mothers, poor things, they resented the abuse in various ways, namely: the mothers of 6, 7 and 9 had only 1, 3 and 4 whilst others abandoned the second litter entirely and still others threw them out of the nest to perish and instead of 45 as at first I only saved 17 Lesson No. 1. Don't breed too soon, six months of age is soon enough and 2 months between litters is little enough. Well the old mothers had 8 and 6 so here I had 76 youngsters and expectations of hundreds more so when a man came along and offered me $6.00 per dozen for them I let them go and thought I had done well. Mistake No. 2. To-day I could sell them all for $5.00 per pair, and doubt- less many of them for double that as I cannot near fill my orders for breeding stock. Lesson No. 2. Don't sell too soon and so it goes, and I am still learning, but this I know, that a small cash investment in Belgian Hares, a little time nights and mornings expended in their care and a small cash outlay for bran has netted me over a hundred dollars cash profit in one year and I could sell my stock on hand for $200 more. I still have my Plymoth Rocks and credit them with leading me to the Belgians, but I have lost my interest in them. BREEDING RABBITS. By J. H. Davis, Caledonia, O., The Record, August, 1899. The hare is a rabbit of larger growth. It has come to us in an unmade condition, because our best rufus red Belgians throw white and black progeny. In Georgia I never had any black spots; but I got as many pure whites as T did steel or rufus red color, which I call fawn color. In fact, a good specimen of a Belgian, is identical in color, when grown with an American deer fawn. But I have a pair of Black Belgians which breed pure black progeny. Arid I will continue breeding this, my own BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 67 strain, in-and-in, because no one can maintain or perpetuate a strain, be it fowls, rabbits or animals, except they breed this way. There is no harm, but great benefit in judicious in-and-in breeding. And, I repeat, it must be maintained for best results in color, shape, size and general markings, and to keep the strain pure. The Belgian hare is a made breed. We do not know how it was made, nor do we particularly care. Origin is of little real value. It only satisfies curiosity. We have the Belgian; it is a good rabbit and that is what we most care for and want. And now let us improve on it. American fanciers have improved and made better every original breed of fowls from Europe, and we are making better the hares which we import. My experience of some years with rabbits is pleasing. Easy of care, hardy, very domestic, rapid growers and multipliers. They are an ornament and a profit to all who keep them if handled properly. I have never had any sick or ailing ones. I feed green stuff in the season fresh, as pulled up. I make no attempts to dry or partly cure clover, weeds or grasses. Just throw it in the pens fresh to young and old. I give fresh water daily and feed oats, bran, cracked corn and wheat. In the win- ter, corn fodder, clover hay and the grains with some cabbage and turnips, and apples, when plenty. Keep them in good con- dition and. spirits. There is no royal road to rabbit culture. Nothing mysterious or perplexing about it. Rabbits will eat everything a goat will eat and are as hardy' and more profitable. Great eaters they are to be sure. They devour much rough- ness. But the cost of keeping a rabbit a year is not half so much as keeping a chicken. And look at the increase the does will give. One good buck will serve for a dozen does. But it is best to have two or three bucks on hand, or more according to the number of does kept, for fear of accidents to the buck. I see something about prices mentioned in the Record. A good doe is worth $5.00 and a buck the same, year or two year old stock. Pairs three or four months old ought to bring $5.00. I do not sell for less money because I am not working for fun now, as much as I was. For many years I bred fowls and hares for pleasure, i^ow, by reason of long experience I am entitled to profit. And a year old pair of hares are well worth $10. The first litter the doe has will much more than pay the $10 back. And the person who pays $5.00 for a pair of young only has to wait a little while to get his money back, and more. I am a great admirer of the blacks. I find, as a rule, that the women and children like the whites the best. To me, they are all handsome. A nice specimen of a fawn colored hare is as handsome an animal as can be wrapped up in fur. 66 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. BREEDING BELGIAN HARES. Poultry Culture, April, 1900. In their eagerness to "get lot of 'em and get 'em quick," as one amateur explained it, many breeders of Belgian Hares are doing an irreparable injury to their stock. Breeding a doe when she is only four to five months old weakens her, and her offsprings start out with a constitution weakened and impaired. Conse- quently, if sickness or disease overtakes them they have little or no vitality to withstand the attack. A doe should never be bred before she is six months old and it is better to wait until she is seven months old. When a doe has a family of more than six it is better to kill all above that number, as the six will grow much more rapidly, will be stronger and more vigorous than with eight, ten or a dozen in the nest. When a doe has an extra large family she will wean them at an earlier age than with a less number to suckel, and this is one prolific cause of slobbers in your hares. Being deprived of the mother milk and forced on to dry feed before their little stomachs are prepared for it, causes the food to become impacked in the stomach which produces an irritation and slobbers. A less number and better quality of stock will give better returns in the long run. Scoring* N. B. H. C. SYSTEM OF MASKING. The Record, February, 1900. In my rounds, trying to buy good pedigreed hares, I found breeders who had started out all right, but allowed their young Btoek to get mixed up, and could not give a correct pedigree to any of them, consequently all their young stock had to go for meat, when the does could have been sold at a good price for breeders. If a good system of marking is adopted and properly recorded, no mistakes can be made, even if a hundred are run together. The National Belgian Hare Club of America has adopted a system of marking that answers all purposes admirably. It ad- mits of a very large range of use. It practically has no end. It would be a very large rabbitry that would exhaust all the combi- nations that can be made with the 14 points used. Refering to the above cut note each ear has seven locations marked. No. 1 is located on the thick edge of the ear near the skull. No. 7 on the thin edge of ear near the skull. If one- half of the distances around the ear from 1 to 7 is taken, 4 will 70 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. be on the tip end. Now divide the space between 1 and -i into three equal spaces and locate 2 and 3. Then locate 5 and 6 be- tween 4 and 7 the same way. Thus we have 7 points on each ear that can be marked and so recorded. Designate the ears R and L. The manner of marking the ear is a matter of choice. A small notch can be made in the edge of the ear, or a small gold- plated, silver or German silver wire can be inserted into the ear and the ends twisted together. In making notches be sure to make them deep enough so they will not grow over. If the mark i? made at the fourth position on right ear record it R. 4. If on the left, L. 4, and so on. When the 14 positions are all used, and more are needed, two marks can be made in one ear as R. 3 and 6, or L. 1 and 7, or a mark can be made in each ear at R. and L. 2, or R. 2 and L. 3. If still more marks are needed two marks can be made close together and recorded 2 R. 5, or 2 L. 6, and so on without end. These marks are not only useful to distinguish one litter from another, but can be used .to distinguish breeders if members should happen to get out of their hutches at the same time, and will also help to identify a specimen in case of theft. Some breeders prefer to notch the ear, others insert a wire. If the notch is not made deep enough it will grow over. Hares seem to delight in washing their ears and if healthy will keep them clean. It will be noticed when wire is used that ear is not kept clean as the other one. In selling a hare the mark should be indicated in the pedigree. It is amusing to witness our eastern brothers "scrapping" over selling hares for $1 each. "Lay on, McDuff, and damned be he who cries, 'hold, enough V " Well, perhaps it is all they" are worth. We find no trouble to sell breeders, or even does, three and four months old at $5 and up, and often more of the "up." The plan of scoring all stock before selling is fast gaining favor with all. The seller is better able to put a price on the specimen near its true value and the buyer knows what he is get- ting if he understands the score card. If a breeder has a number of does that are "off" in one par- ticular point. To illustrate we will say their heads are very poor, but in all other respects they are good. Have good length, color and red hind feet, etc. He wants a buck that has all the good qualities that can be crowded into one specimen. If he gets the score card of a buck that has the head section marked "per- fect" or very nearly so, it will not take him long to decide to buy that buck, for he knows the buck is perfect where his does are de- ficient. By all means when buying stock at long prices insist on a score card from a known competent judge. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 71 The National Belgian Hare Club of America, through a number of the local members, has a book on hares that is read} for delivery. Each advertiser that has a full page ad has a full page article on some branch of the hare industry. While the pages are not large, 6x7, a great deal of practical experience will be crowded into the book. Some of the articles contain a lot of "Don'ts" so that beginners will learn what, and not pay for sad experience to "don't do." Two thousand copies are issued and for sale at 10 cents. This is a good time of the year to practice humane qualities by clipping the fur from dry pelts and putting the fur in the nest of a doe about to kindle. Less than a week ago we had a very cold night. I expected two does to kindle. One doe pulled a little fur, the other pulled none. I saved both litters by putting fur in nests. If that precaution had not been taken, both litters would have frozen. AS TO SCORING. By E. W. Graham, Denver, Poultry Culture, March, 1900. Judging from correspondence and articles published on the subject, I am prone to believe that the score card, as applied to the Belgian Hare, is not properly understood in its relation to the breeding value of a specimen. To come at once to the point, I ask, is it generally understood that it is quite possible for a 93 point Belgian Hare to be of greater breeding value than an- other scoring 95 points? After carefully noting the results from several hundred matings, I have come to the conclusion that a novice may easily be misled by mating from the score card. The sections named on a score card may be divided into three classes — hereditary, accidental and conditional. TJnder the first class, may be grouped color of body, feet, etc.. length of coupling, ("symmetry of body") curve of back and loin, length and fineness of head, lacing, size, color and qual- ity of ear, size, shape and color of eve, all the sections of legs and feet and size of specimen. Under "accidental" may be placed, stray hairs, ticking, and shape of ears. "Conditional" includes symmetry of flank and rib, condition of flesh and fur and also dewlap. It is the "hereditary" sections on a score card, which fix the real value of a specimen as a breeder. One of the weak points of the standard, is its failure to fix a certain weight for a certain 72 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. age under maturity. As the standard now reads it is possible for an undersized specimen, one which will never reach standard weight, to compete with and defeat another much larger frame and greater weight, provided they are in the immature class. This is true whether the classes are divided by age or weight. "Stray hair," if evenly distributed should be included in the first class and also "dewlap" when developed on an immature speci- men. Stray hairs, when shown in a bunch are the result of acci- dent. Ticking, I believe, is a section not to be depended upon to reproduce itself. I have made scores of matings where both sexes were possessed of a wavy ticking, beautifully distributed in tones, giving a tortise shell effect and found the young to grow up with a very inferior quality of ticking. Have also grand ticking from parents so evenly distributed as to deserve a 2 to 2£ point cut. Have watched the results from several generations of line breeding and have decided that a genuine tortoise shell ticking is largely an accident. "Shape of ears" may either be classed as hereditary or ac- cidental, depending on its cause. When a hare is kindled in cold weather and shows from the first a "naturally lazy" carriage of the ear, it is very apt to be reproduced in the young. A great many Belgians carry their ears badly however, as the result of heat, small nest boxes, injury, etc., while young. "Symmetry of flank and rib" is a section which may re- ceive a severe cut and still not effect the value of the hare in the least. If the specimen is well ribbed up, giving the lungs plenty of room, it may mean nothing at all, except that the rabbit is not in show condition. Too much green food or over-feeding a doe, may reduce a score by one full point. "Condition of flesh" is the result of exercise or lack of it and does not reproduce itself. "Condition of Fur" should be subdivided into "Quality and Condition of Fur." Quality of fur is strongly hereditary, while condition is only temporary. Any doe after being bred several times, is apt to acquire a dew- lap. This is the natural result of pulling hair from her neck and breast with which to line her nest. To clearly illustrate the foregoing, I give herewith two score cards, a careful study of which will make my meaning clear. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 73 No. 1. No. 2. Symmetry of head Lacing of ears Size of ears . . . Score i 4 * i Stray hairs Color of body Color of sides Color of hindquarter Color of jaws J | Ticking - • ' • * Symmetry of body * I Symmetry of flank and rib ^ Symmetry of back 4 Symmetry of loins " 4 Cl. „~i-™,r ~* lnaarl 2 ? i Shape of ears ; | Color of ears 4 Quality of ears Size of eyes Shape of eyes Color of eyes Quality of eyes Size of forefeet " Shape of forefeet | Color of forefeet 2 Quality of forefeet Size specimen Condition flesh Condition of fur • Neck 94 92 The above scores are entirely imaginary and are perhaps a trifle unusual, but were made to show the ideas I wish to convey If I were to choose between the two and the score cards were my onlv means of judging their quality, I should be willing to pay S^eprice for No"* that 1 would for No 1. The -ore card splendidly fulfills the purpose for which it is intended, but a Kore does not necessarily fix the value of a hare. As a means of awarding prizes in the show room, it is without question, tar ahead of comparison judging, if intelligently and honestly ap- plied. As an educator to the novice it is also of great value, but its use should not be abused. 74 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. MRS. C. D. BOND'S LETTER. The Fruit World, May, 1900. The question of score cards versus comparison, judging and pedigrees, as demanded by all American purchasers in England, have caused quite a commotion there among the fancy. Mr. Lumb, the secretary of the National Belgian Hare Club of Eng- land, and Mr. Ambrose, the editor of Fur and Feather, and also Mr. Wilkins, author of the "Book of the Belgian Hare" (and also registrar for the so-called national "stud book" just started, which should not be confused with the National Belgian Hare Club registry. The latter so far have only registered champions, while Mr. Wilkins's registry is intended for all Belgians of a certain grade of excellence. Now to determine that grade is one reason of the pedigree war.) Mr. Ambrose writes : "To attach importance to pedigree, which cannot be safeguarded by reference to properly registered records, is trusting far too much to the honor of men generally, and what is far more to the point, leaving too great a field for the scope of the pedigree monger — the unscrupulous blood- sucker, that will turn up at every available spot, so that he may trade on the confidence of the unsuspecting novice. So much has been said about in-breeding during the past few years, that pedigree has naturally assumed a very definite value. I am in no wise antagonistic to the value of pedigree, when such repre- sents the true parentage of any particular specimen, but I shall need far greater power of persuasion than any yet brought for- ward, to convince me that it is not safer and better to purchase quality, irrespective of pedigree, than it is to purchase pedigree and have a bad specimen thrown in. However, Mr. Wilkins and I agree on one point, that a pedigree is — mark the word is — a record of the parents, grand parents and great grand parents, irrespective of the value of the specimens which go to make up the list. Thus, then, we commence on one common basis, di- vided, because I warn breeders against the great responsibility of having their hopes of success frustrated by the pedigree bogey, and commencing on a rotten foundation by purchasing bad speci- mens, supposed to be bred from very successful winners. I con- tend that every one who desires success should buy the specimen with the least faults, not the one with the most pedigree. "I recommend buying quality, points of excellence, stamina and characteristics of the variety you prefer to perpetuate, treat- ing, pedigree as a secondary consideration. Others differ from me, and they are, of course, equally within their province to recommend their plan of procedure, but an outsider's point of BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 75 view may be acceptable. C. E. Silk, who, for twenty years past, has probably enjoyed sueesg equal to that of any other breeder of small prize stock — winners, I am referring to — writes me : " 'Dear Mr. Ambrose : I congratulate you on your letter of pedigree. You are perfectly right, I have proved it to my cost. I can give you an illustration. Some years ago I pur- chased the Belgian buck, with a pedigree as long as my arm, gave £3 for him. When he arrived he was a gray-haunched, snuffly- nosed, half-moulted specimen. To my complaint of this I was assured he only wanted a little linseed mash, with meal, etc. ; and his coat would soon come out, and his cold would be all right, and I could rest assured he would do me some good. Now I spent the whole season over this buck, trying to see what he would come like, but to my disgust he was never worth a shilling. I put him to several does, and all I got from him were several "potters." Now, about a few months after I was iip the country driving, and went to a gentleman's house who kept Belgian Hares. I was asked to see them. There were a lot of young ones running in a loose box in the stable. I inquired the price as soon as I saw them, as they looked like beauties. The young gentleman said, "I always get one shilling each for them at this age." I picked out two at the price. The one I kept myself beat Mr. Carvill's noted doe at the Alexandra Palace and won the Jubilee silver medal for me at Ware Show in 1887, and several other prizes; the other I sent to Mr. Cooper of Newport, Isle of Wight, and he told me he won many prizes with it. So here is a proof that pedigrees are useless without the article. I could go on for a month, and show you the same with eats. I have known some of England's champions bred with no pedigree whatever; the same with birds. If any man was to turn black in the face to try to convince me about what the specimen's grandfather or grandmother had done, it would have no impression on me. If the specimens did not please me, I would not waste the time over them ; I want to see what I am breeding from.' "I have purposely selected Mr. Silk's opinion out of many, because of his unique position in the fancy as a breeder, exhibitor and judge, extending over a period of more than twenty years. Apart from this, as my remarks were written as being specially applicable to Belgians, and Mr. Silk has had some lessons in breeding them, and a vast amount of experience in other varie- ties, I thought his remarks well worthy of publication. They are, to my mind, strong, but it is only those who knock about the country and can see the disastrous effects resulting from these 'demoralizing influences who hold opinions which shook those who hold that pedigree is the foundation of success. I advise the breeder to select and pay for the article, and then seek its history. 76 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. BELGIAN HARE STANDARD. The Record, March, 1900. Disqualifications — 1. Lopped or fallen ear or ears. 2. White front feet or white bar or bars on same. 3. Decidedly wry front feet. 4. Wry tail. A specimen should have the bene- fit of any doubt. Color — Rich rufus red (not dark smudgy color), carried well down sides and hindquarters, and as white under jaws as possible 20 Ticking — Rather wavy appearance and plentiful 15 Shape — Body — long, thin, well tucked up flank, and ribbed up; back — slightly arched; loins — well rounded, not choppy; head — rather lengthy; muscular chest; tail — straight, not screwed; and altogether of a racy appear- ance 20 Ears — About five inches, thin, well laced on tips, and as far down outside edges as possible; good color inside and outside and well set on 10 Eyes — Hazel color, large, round bright and bold 10 Legs and Feet — Fore feet and Legs — long, straight, slender, well colored and free from white bars ; hind feet — as well colored as possible 10 Size — About eight pounds 5 Condition — Not fat, but flesh firm like a race horse, and good quality of fur 5 Without Dewlap 5 Total 100 You must not expect a Belgian Hare, or in fact any other animal, to be perfect in every respect. The Standard is merely a guide to aid you in breeding for fancy points and improving weak points in inferior stock. Be willing to pay a price compared with the specimen's markings. It must be remembered, that the more nearly per- fect the animal the higher price, and vice versa. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 77 < < O -J UJ CD M Ll. o LlI UJ g G UJ Q. Q UJ CQ o HI P5 L. < I" Id Ul T DC *- 1 < 2 o 0. —I UJ CQ -Q CQ tf be d 7s BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. OFFICIAL SCORE CARD OF THE Interstate Belgian Hare Club f Name Owner's [Address fDate of Birth— Mo Day , Year Spec'ms < No Name I Weight — Pounds ounces Macon, Mo., CLASS Size Shape Color Quality Stray hairs Body Sides Hind Quarter Jaws 1 Color < | 20.' * ' 1 1 ! Ticking 1 15. fBody | Flank and rib.. Back Loins Head Lacing Otherwise | Symmetry < : 20. Ears 10, Eyes Legs and Feet j Front 10. ' Hind j Size of Specimen | Ooromos ! Flesh 5. < Fur | Xkck ! 5, Sum of Column Possible score, 100. Jxi:ge Total outs Score Preside nt. Secretary. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 79 o 5 •** o « C « V > < •a c « o o c < >> ■o fi. o < z < _' 03 u o 5 UJ a UJ Of a a < a 1 0} a 01 01 u 00 SIRE SEX Date of Birth. DAM < 80 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. AETICLE 473, TARIFF ACT OF 1890. Relating to the Importation of Animals. Article 473. Any animal imported specially for breeding purposes shall be admitted free : Provided, that no such animal shall be admitted free unless pure bred of a recognized breed, and duly registered in the book of record established for that breed: And provided further, that certificate of such record and of the pedigree of such animal shall be produced and sub- mitted to the custom officer, duly authenticated by the proper custodian of such book of record, together with the affidavit of the owner, agent, or importer that such animal is the identical animal described in said certificate of record and pedigree : And provided further, that the Secretary of the Agricultural shall de- termine and certify to the Secretary of the Treasury what are recognized breeds and pure bred animals under the provisions of this paragraph. The Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe such additional regulations as may be required for the strict en- forcement of this provision. Cattle, horses, sheep, or other domestic animals straying across the boundary line into any foreign country ; or driven across such boundary line by the owner for temporary pasturage purposes only, together with their off- spring may be brought back to the United States within six months free of duty, under regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Flemish Giant and Lop Eared Rabbit* THE FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT. Elliott Smith, in The Record. This popular variety of rabbit was first imported to this country by the late E. M. Hughes, of Albany, N. Y. The first importation was a complete failure, nothing more than a large hare. I bought some of them but did not feel satisfied with them. The next year Mr. Hughes made a second importation of some very choice specimens these were indeed very fine animals ; color a dark steel gray, and large head and heavy boned. This was about four years since. This strain of giants took so well with the people that he or any other breeder of them has never been able to fill their orders. They seem to vary in shape, color, etc. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 81 We imported from Belgium and England. The Belgian giants seem very much longer and more inclined to sandiness, while the English are shorter, more compact and are easier animals to fat- ten, although I think to cross the two makes a very fine rabbit. They vary somewhat in color — some will be a brownish gray while others will come a beautiful steel gray. It will be a few years before they are bred down to a uniform color. As to their origin, opinion, so far as I have studied up is, they have come from some of the large European stock, Patagonian, French Giants, etc. They are good breeders and the young grow very rapidly, but want very nourishing food. They will then weigh five pounds at nine weeks old. A good weight for breeders is fourteen pounds, over that I consider only for show purposes. ENGLISH STANDARD OF FLEMISH GIANTS. Agricultural and Live Stock Herald. Adopted by the Flemish Giant Club. Size and Weight — Size to be as large as possible ; weight of bucks not less than 11 pounds and of does not less than 13 pounds at maturity. Color — Color to be dark steel gray, with wavy ticking over the whole of the body, feet and chest alike, the belly and under part of tail pure white. Head and Ears — Head to be large, full and shapely, with large, bold eye dark brown in color. Ears to be moderately thick and carried erect. Head and ears same color as the rest of the body. Body — Body to be large, roomy and flat, with broad* for^ and hind quarters. Does to have a dewlap evenly carried. Condition — Full, short coat, firm flesh, free from colds. The ehief faults are: sandy, brown or red color, small size, barred feet, camel back, bowed legs, lopping ears. THE LOP-EAEED RABBIT. By A. F. Koontz, in Poultry Graphic. All may not know that the lop-eared rabbit originally came from the Island of Madagascar, and this is why it is frequently called theMadagascar or Lop-eared Rabbit. It was originally of large size, but careful attention to its breeding has in every way improved the particular features that make it attractive. And as their points are at all times capable of development and im- provement, there is a constant stimulus to the Lop breeder to be striving to produce something superior. 82 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. The princiy>a feaiuies ;ire its ears. To raise specimens with fine long and broad ears is one of the chief aims of the fancier; and to succeed in producing one measuring 22 to 23 inches from tip to tip when extended, and 5 to 6 inches in width, and so fine that they are almost transparent, is enough remuner- ation for a season's work. It is not often accomplished, and this is one of the attractions in breeding this variety. The dewlap is another feature that is desirable. This is a fold of skin that extends from the under jaw down the front of the neck and breast, and the greater the development the more it is prized. Its head should be quite ]ong and fine in its make up, its eye large, full and bright. Its body is long, rising gradu- ally from the shoulders in a graceful arch at least two or three inches above the top of its head at the rump, when in repose. They are found in many colors, such as solid or self-colored fawns, blacks, whites, blues, and then again these colors broken with white, and even a mixture of black, yellow and white known as tortoise shell — the fancier can suit his taste. Although good specimens of the Lop rabbit always carry their ears in a proper position, it does not always follow that the young of even the best bred will take after their parents ; and so we can see young speci- mens with one ear drooping and the other erect, or both ears carried horizontally. Lop rabbits are not so prolific as the' common English rab- bit, so that if one raises four litters in a season he may be counted as doing well ; and as these run from five to eight in a litter he ought to expect, if his stock is good, to have a few "crack" ones in the lot. And one or two, such as I have mentioned, in a sea- son, is considered good work. The pleasures and possibilities in breeding Lops are so great, and there is so much of beauty, gracefulness and gentleness about them, that a fancier, even though he may not be successful as he desires, will find a never- ending amount of enjoyment in caring for them, studying their habits, and pairing for their improvement, that will pay him for all the attention he may devote to them and for all the money he may invest in stock, feed, and conveniences for their keeping. LOP-EARED "RABBITS. Poultry Culture, December, 1899. In this day when so much is being said and written about Belgian Hares, other choice and interesting varieties of rabbits are in a measure, lost sight of. At this time I propose to speak of only one, the Madagascar Lop-Ear. This variety is sometimes called the English Lop-Ear; but this is a misnomer. It is as erroneous as to call a Belgian Hare BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 83 an English Hare, because most of the importations to this country have come from England. The Lop-Ear is a native of the island of Madagascar, and was among the earliest, if not the very first species of rabbit to attract sufficient notice to be domesticated and bred as' a pet and fancy variety; and was until recently, the most popular fancy rabbit, and is still a great favorite and attracts much attention whereever exhibited. The heavy-weight Belgian ranging from nine to fifteen pounds, and are recorded to have weighed high as eighteen pounds; but from ten to twelve pounds is a fair average. There is standard of color, but are most frequently found in fawn, sooty or smoky fawn, mottled or tortoise. Their habits are rather more sluggish than the Belgian Hare, consequently are more easily domesticated and they soon become very fond of being petted. The Belgian Hare Pelt and Miscellaneous* A FIELD FOE WOMEN. By Mrs. C. D. Bond, Tropico, Cal., Los Angeles Herald, February, 1900. A feature of the exhibition which strikes an ordinary ob- server as remarkable is the number of women engaged in the in- dustry, and it may be stated as a fact that the Belgian Hare has found its firmest friends in women. Inquiry among the women developed the information that the growth of the institution was in a great measure due to them. The hare is naturally a pet. Its domesticity is one of the racial features. This naturally ap- peals to women, and they have entered into the business in a way which places them in the front rank as breeders of high-grade hares. The business opportunities of women are limited, but here is an industry that is open to all. It is unique in this re- spect. All of the women engaged in it were unanimous in the opinion that it was an ideal occupation for women. It inter- feres with no ordinary household duties, is pleasant and profitable and gives occupation and enjoyment for the many "bad quarter hours" which a woman often finds. Many of the women exhibi-- 84 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. tors are engaged in hare raising exclusively, and others are in- terested jointly with their husbands in rabbitries. Some single women have entered the business and have found it infinitely more profitable than stenography or other occupations that are usually alloted to women. Women learn to like hares as they like dogs or cats. It is their ambition to attain a perfection in breed. Under poor care a hare will degenerate. Hence it is that the careful attention given by women to animals they love has produced the finest specimens of the race of Belgians. A hare is readily made a pet, and being more cleanly than ordinary domestic animals, appeals to a woman's heart. She will pay greater attention to the hygienic conditions tnan a man will, and take a larger personal interest in her animals. One bright-eyed woman yesterday gave reasons for her in- terest in Belgian hares : "Two years ago," she said, "my husband was working for $15 a week as an assistant bookeeper in one of the stores of this city. I had relations in England who sent me one Belgian buck and two does as an experiment. Our place was only a fifty-foot lot, and I began raising hares under these small conditions. We have realized over $2,000 since then from our original buck and we value our rabbitry now at $5,000. Twice a year my husband visits England in search of improved stock. I think we owe something to these little creatures," and she affectionately caressed a magnificent specimen of the Belgian. This instance is only typical of the opinions of all women engaged in the business who are interrogated. In it they found a profitable and pleasant occupation, which had developed un- expectedly into an industry of importance. The larger business ability acquired has met a ready demand. The Belgian Hare has done more to educate women to business methods than a hundred crusades for their suffrage would have done. The business of caring for and curing the pelts of the hares is represented by the one exhibit, at which beautiful specimens of tanned pelts are shown. In England the pelt of the hare is manufactured into what is known as electric seal, and sells read- ily at from $2 to $5. This is a branch of the industry yet to be developed in this country. The Model rabbitry has on exhibi- tion a large robe made from hare pelts by an expert tanner, which, to all appearances, is equal to the silver fox. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 85 BEST WAY TO SHIP HARES FKOM ENGLAND. Fruit World. The editor of this department receives so many inquiries, both by 'phone and letter, as to how hares should be shipped long distances, that the benefit of his experience may be useful to readers of the Fruit World. Hares are being imponeu now u, the hundred, and it is a great consideration to have them arrive irj good condition, and yet not pay unnecessarily heavy express rates. They are usually shipped in crates, two tiers high and five to seven feet long, about one and a half feet deep, the floors should be strong, for they are pretty roughly handled at the docks and when swung on board ship eye-witnesses have seen the floors knocked right into the crates. Many wire the back, front and sides, and then cover all but the front with heavy canvas — this is the cheapest way. Mine were boarded lightly all round, ex- cept the fronts, which were wire doors, and they came through during the heat of summer in splendid condition, but the cost was heavier than when wired and canvased. A liberal supply of straw or moss should be put into the hutches, this helps to absorb the moisture, as in such small quarters the hutches get very dirty. The express companies undertake to feed the animals en route. IS THE BELGIAN HARE A PASSING FAD ? By Mrs. M. B. Slack, Pueblo, Colo., in Poultry and Belgian Hare Standard. We have been asked this question so many times of late, we would like to state our reasons for believing most decidedly the contrary, that there is no animal on a firmer foundation than the Belgian Hare. While it would seem to me every one must have heard the echo of the grand boom bunnie has been enjoying for a year or more from the inquiries I receive, many of which ask if they are fit for food, I know to a great many they are something entirely new. If they were like the tulip, 'only good to look at, I would fear the enormous prices of the last few months was the puff that would break the bubble. But the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and that is the way the Belgian has reached his present fame, and on this he stands founded as on a rock. Many wild tales are told and some would lead us to suppose in the Belgian Hare would be found the much sought for "some- thing for nothing," this is misleading and works injury on all. He needs no wild or extravagant tales to build up his fame. First of all he is good to eat, and being cleanly, the most fastidious SO BELGIAN HAKE SCRAP BOOK. can relish him. He is docile and easily handled, he is hand- some and pleases the eye, he is easy to raise, can adapt himself to small space, makes no noise to annoy near neighbors and ac last if he gets too numerous the number is quickiy reduced by the first fact being that he is a superior food. We think this fact should not be lost sight of by fanciers and as the standard weight is huge enough for both beauty and utility, see no gam in either extreme, a gas pipe or a clumsy heavyweight specimen. If they were only for show we believe they would be a passing fad — but for the same reason good Hereford cattle are not a fad, the Belgian Hare is not. A man breeding Herefords would be very foolish breeding them after the pattern of a Jersey, an animal bred for an entirely different purpose. We can not expect to make dairy cows or race horses of our hares, and one that carries length of body and trim proportions with eight pounds weight, will tickle the palate and please the eye. So much has been said on the subject of the Belgian for food that it seems surprising when the question is asked. Are they fit to eat ? The fact is, where they are best known they are in the greatest demand as food, no place has yet been able to supply a regular home market. Does that look like the fancy would pass ? A hare eaten is not only forever out of the way of competition, but has created a demand for hundreds more. There is no ill without its remedy, who can deny high priced meat is an ill, kind Providence has, in the hare, provided a remedy. Providence has not grown, dressed, cooked and served them, has not given something for nothing, but placed it quite within the reach of many people to apply the remedy, if so in- clined. Not every one will make a success of them. Is there any thing, every one, who tries succeeds ? Not every one will admire them. Is there anything all admire? Not every one will like the taste of them, neither does everybody like chicken or pork or any other kind of meat. There are some who refuse meat of any sort, but it does not seem to affect the price very much, there are enough left to eat all that is produced. Is spring chicken, fried nice and brown, with brown gravy, a passing fad? and we like to go to the poultry show and look at them too. Is roast turkey with dressing and cranberry sauce, a fad ? and don't we admire the bronze sheen on his breast, especi- ally when the first snow falls and we are beginning: to think of Thanksgiving dinner ? We don't, many of us, greatly admire a great fat hog as he wallows in some mud hole, but none of us think of him as a pass- ing fad when we eat mothers doughnuts or flaky pie crust. As long as men (and women) eat meat you may calculate the fame of the Belgian Hare will not pass. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 87 CRITICISING LOW PRICES. By G. W. Felton, Barre, Mass., The Record, Dec, 1899. In November issue of the Record I note Mr. Davis' criticisms on my prices for Belgian Hares. In first place if we can't rear Belgian Hares to 6 weeks of age for a dollar each then mine are an exception. Again note what I say from dollar each up, ac- cording to age, size, markings, etc., my stock speaks for itself without sneezing and I trust Mr. Davis does also. I have always bought the best I could get a price on. I never knew a white one to come from my strain and very few black ones — I call those culls — but I have had the misfortune to get one hurt occasionally, for instance an ear knocked down or a leg hurt. I have sold hares as high as $50 each and many more $10 to $25 each this year and every customer pleased. It is not strictly brown Belgians that I have sold for that price but golden, tan, and a shade or two darker. I believe fanciers differ quite a little on the proper color and kind and amount of ticking they should have and will for some time to come. I also believe all should show at some place where a good judge is to place the ribbons and they will find it an A 1 school. Don't leave your pets at home but enter them and you may win the blue. If not I will wager it learns us all something every time we show them. I trust I haven't hurt the fancy by my low prices and I write this to enlighten people on the subject as I can't keep up with my calls for fine stock at the prices I do get. It may save me a few stamps on $1 customers. I have in past years sold a great many good hares at 6 weeks of age for $2 per pair but not as fine as I now have. I have been improving them steadily for 7 years and shall endeavor to keep them up to standard requirements as near as in my power to do so lies. I can't agree with Mr. Davis on his statement that Belgians can't be fed and cared for. for $1 each to 6 weeks of age, as I know there is lots of money in them at $1 each at 6 months of age for the table but of course you can keep them for the table very much cheaper. No advertising, no looking out for sexes fighting, more can be kept together. Such stock can be bought very much cheaper to start with. I think our prices can be better regulated by the quality of the stock we have. I believe I have that which can be relied on to produce it- self or even better than the dam, if rightly mated, and right there I believe is the cause of much disappointment as well as success, but please give me the success, if I work hard and honestly for it, if not give me what I deserve. Give us your experience brother fancier, criticise each other and be pleasant about it. 88 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. THE PRICE QUESTION. By F. H. Dewey, Westfield, Mass., The Record, April, 1900. From a short but interesting experience with the Belgian Hare I am led to the conclusion that there are about three classes interested in the animal; the price of the Belgian will depend upon these standpoints, demand and supply, playing their parts. The pet Belgian breeder raises two or three litters a year, but kills some of them in infancy of course, and the few that sur- vive of the fittest, command prices that a cow or hog would envy. Size is not the essential object, only color, form and beauty. Another 'class of breeders aim to produce fine quality in form and color and make size and early maturity a great consideration. Those breeders will have good stock for sale but. not so select and blue blooded as the former and consequently cheaper. The poorer quality are allowed to live and find their destiny on the table. Such breeders will multiply more and more and will be- come the sources from which the ordinary Belgian raiser will get f" his breeding market stock, for the day is coming, it seems to me, ^ when the Belgian, the pig and the hen will form a tripple alliance - in nearly every farm yard. And the third class of breeders will be those who have land suitable for their purpose and can pro- duce Belgians by the hundreds. The turkey will tremble for his popularity. What meat, when baked, can compare with the Bel- gian, warm or cold. Every one says, "Why it doesn't taste like a rabbit." The Belgian is not a "rabbit" except in shape and conduct. What dish can be more appetizing for a banquet or family gathering ? Now when all this is appreciated the Belgians will have to be raised and sold by a different standard from the aristocratic prize winner. The price must compare when retailed with the price of the choicest game and meats now sold in the markets. The English Belgian may keep his place as a pet and prize winner. The stock that grows rapidly and gives abundant flesh in 4 or 5 months and stands in the reach of the caterer's pocket book will be the chief object of regard for the mass. Bel- gians must be raised to be sold for "a dollar," or less, if whole- saled, and I believe it can be done. When these facts are kept in mind the criticisms in regard to prices will be differently di- rected. Market breeding stock, like all breeding stock, will have a special value. In time there will be two standards for the Bel- gian Hare, the beautiful Belgian as a pet, and he is beautiful, and the Mammoth Belgian for market, the one reared to please the eye, the other to delight the palate. BELGIAN HAKE SCRAP BOOK. 89 WHO TURNS BELGIANS OUT? By Geo. W. VanMetre, Martinsburg, W. Va., The Record. This question has been more frequently asked than any other, Would Belgian Hares do well turned out to shift for themselves ? I say no ! Not even where the climate is favorable. People have come to my rabbitry and asked me to sell them rabbits for this purpose. T refused them on the ground of "cruelty to animals.'" It would be no more use turning them out to live on what they could get, winter and summer, then it would be to turn sheep out without proper food and attention. I could never give my consent to have those fine animals, with their large lustrous eyes and confidential • expression, as they look up into your face for care and protection turned out to battle with the elements and live for a while, only to ultimately die from hunger and exposure. Just like sheep, there would be some of the more intelligent and stronger animals live, but they would be shaggy and unsightly specimens. THE INDUSTRY IN ENGLAND. By Mrs. C. D. Bond, Tropico, Cal., in The Fruit World. T. B. Mason, who has been a judge of rabbits in England for some twenty-two years, and is also proprietor of the well-known fanciers' paper there, writes an interesting article on the Bel- gian industry in England during the past year. We give some of the remarks in condensed form, believing that they will prove interesting to American breeders : "What a year this has been for the breeders after variety. Never in the history of the fancy have such prices been paid for stock. It is no secret that one breeder alone, in the noted town of Grimsby, has sold during this year about $10,000 worth of the Belgians, all of his own breeding. This record will be hard to beat. The credit of sending the largest consignment to Califor- nia belongs to Messrs. Kilby, Styles & Howe. They have shipped no less than 150 in six weeks. Other breeders in all parts of the country have had a share in the orders, with the results that Bel- gians to-day cannot be purchased at anything like the prices they could be got for at the commencement of the year. I am told, and believe, that a sum of no less than £7000 has been spent for Belgians alone in this country for consignments to America. Such a progressive state of things cannot but have a marvelous 90 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. effect on the fancy, and let us hope that the stock sent out will be the means of establishing in the states a strain of Belgians that will be a credit to the fanciers of England, and will put our brothers across the water on an equal footing with ourselves in the breeding of this popular and very pleasing variety. During the meeting of the club at the Crystal Palace in Novem- ber Mr. Lamb the secretary, was full of his pet scheme, the 25-guinea champion challenge cup for the best of all the cup winners. By this time he will probably have got the required sum for this splendid trophy. Taken altogether, I think the quality of the Palace was up to the average, and I feel sure that we have still left in old England some of the most typical speci- mens that have ever seen a show pen. "It is very remarkable that in all the mixed classes this year the bucks certainly beat the does; several years ago it was just the reverse. I hope the coming year may see a great improve- ment in does. Some of the present-day winners are, to my mind, altogether too broad on shoulders, and flat on back. They have not got the fine and lovely outline so essential to a first-class show specimen. Some stop quite short behind, and are chopped off, so to speak, losing the fine circle which should start immediately behind the ears, and so gradually on until it reaches that part of the body that requires strength and power of limb ; when it should gradually taper to the tail. This kind of body, with a narrow chest and long, fine limbs at the front, with plenty of power behind, ought to be the aim and object of breeders of the present day. Some years ago we had ticking all over the body, even to the forefeet. To get rid of this extreme measures had to be taken. No one likes to see the wavy body ticking better than myself, but the dull-chested, heavy-ticked ones of-the past are, in my opinion, far behind those with bright color, but a little too even in body ticking. The improvement in ear lacing has been very marked. "The secretary's balance sheet is most satisfactory, and with the additional champion challenge cup, which will be competed for at the Palace in 1900, marks the coming year as one of the most interesting this variety has enjoyed." Over-feeding. Over-feeding is a great fault with some exhibitors. Condi- tion is one thing, ugliness another; one makes a winner, the other gets a codding card. Style. Remember that style and fineness of limb are bred, not made. You cannot breed a race horse out of an elephant. The sire for color and the dam for style and shape. Follow this advice ; it will lead you to success. BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 01 HOW TO EXPRESS BELGIANS. By S. A. Butler. The following timely order from the Los Angeles office of Wells-Fargo Express is self-explanatory: "To shippers of Belgian Hares: As an additional protec- tion to shippers of Belgian Hares, I would suggest that you would build your shipping boxes, or cages, open on the sides and ends. as well as on the top. The Belgian Hare business is growing into such large proportions that we are obliged to place the cases on top of one another in the car, and if they are not open at the sides as well as the ends, the animals are liable to smother. If this suggestion is adopted I am sure that it will result to our mutual advantage. "In behalf of the company as well as myself I wish to con- gratulate you on the wonderful growth of the Belgian Hare in- dustry." THE BELGIAN HARE. The Animal World, March, 1900. Buying good stock against poor is a question which will un- doubtedly interest all buyers and breeders. We quote Mr. Geo. A. Almond's article in the Poultry Fruit and Garden. Mr. Al- mond certainly has the correct view of the situation and under- stands the subject: "Notwithstanding the fact that very much has been written on the subject of the Belgian Hare, very many people are wholly unacquainted with, or have only a very limited knowledge of them. The writer has seen specimens offered for sale on our market here, said to be 'pedigreed' and 'registered' stock from some rabbitry of breeder, known to the fancy, which of course might have a pedigree, but to be registered would require that they should score high enough to be called standard hares, while these were clearly culls and not even good culls. "This is a very poor practice for any breeder, and especially one who desires to gain any prominence, above that of other breed- ers. The price asked for these culls being low in comparison with good stock, gives the breeder of good standard hares some trouble, and causes confusion in the minds of those who would be con- sistent in their prices. "There is only one class of stock which should score at least ninety points ; less than that are not worthy to be classed as breed- ing stock. The price of such stock has steadily increased and an animal that will score ninety or over is worth from $25.00 up, and almost any good doe would be a bargain at $25.00 if old 92 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. enough to breed. The demand for such stock is away ahead of the supply, very few being offered even .at the price quoted Nearly all the breders are sold down close, even for the last of the season, and only a very few have any for sale at any price and this, at this season of the year, is very remarkable. Most breeders say they are compelled to return money sent with orders as they cannot fill them nor procure the stock. "Those who buy culls cannot expect to raise standard stock from them. They may get a few passable ones, but even that is doubtful. I would advise those who wish to buy, to get good standard stock and start with a few, and learn their habits and wants and from them get a start with one good doe, and raise some fine hares that will bring good prices ; than have fifty or one hundred culls that would hardly bring one dollar a head. It does not cost any more to raise one to sell for $25.00 than one that would bring at most not over $1.50, if its actual value was given, but unfortunately, those who buy the culls offered for sale at $2.50 or less are not posted, and they pay about twice what the animal is worth, its real value being what its flesh would bring for meat. It would be profitable for anyone intending to pur- chase, to go to some of the breeders, whose stock is never seen on the market, and who have such stock as will do both buyer and seller credit, and which neither will ever be ashamed of." We have had several inquiries regarding the best mode of curing Belgian Hare and Flemish Giant Eabbit pelts. Will some cf our readers assist us by sending in any suggestions on this question ? We wish the easiest way to effect a cure for the pelts so that they will remain soft and pliable, and not hard, like we so often see. There is no reason why these pelts should not prove marketable, and certainly furriers in this country can doubtless make use of them as well as in foreign countries. That is another point for consideration which will try and answer, and hope others will refer the matters to furriers in their localities and send in reply for April issue. BELGIANS AS MEAT PRODUCERS. By Mrs. C. D. Bond, Tropico, Calif. As a meat proposition, people have to be educated up to it, oi rather, the cook, must first learn how to prepare the meat for the table in the right way, before the Belgian will be appreciated, as the luxury it really is. We will give from week to week receipts from well-known authorities in this country and England for its preparation. After killing the hare, allow it to hang for several days, as this will improve the flavor and make it much more tender. Let it remain an hour in warm water after skin- BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 93 ning; or first put it in vinegar water for a few minutes, if old; wipe it dry. Make a dressing of the following: One-quarter pound of suet, 2 ounces of bacon, a teaspoonful of chopped pars- ley, half a teaspoonful of sage, the rind of half a lemon, cayenne pepper and a little pounded maze, a few sweet breads chopped fine, mixed together with two well-beaten eggs. Baste the hare well while roasting, and do not subject it to too hot a fire, at first, or the outside will be dry and hard before the inside is cooked through. HAEE CHOWDEE. Poultry Culture. Cut up the carcass and boil in salted water until tender, then place it in a roasting pan with cold boiled potatoes, take a pint of bread or cracker crumbs and mix with two well beaten eggs, season with salt, pepper and a teaspoonful of lemon juice, spread it over the meat and pour over the whole the liquor in which the meat was boiled. Bake about 30 minutes. BOAST BABBIT. [English recipe :] Let the rabbit hang at least a day before cooking. Make a forcemeat dressing and sew up well; some cooks put slices of bacon inside before putting in the dressing. Be sure have slices of bacon fastened to the back of the hare ; this prevents it from being so dry and gives a fine flavor. Dredge with flour and baste well every fifteen minutes. Make a good gravy by browning the flour in the pan and adding milk, salt and pepper. English bread sauce is a very nice addition to this dainty dish. Fried Babbit. Cut in pieces and roll in beaten egg and bread or cracker crumb. Drop into boiling fat and keep cover on until nearly done. Salt lightly. Babbits should not be over three months old to be cooked in this manner ; then they are delicious and resemble the tenderest of sweet breads. WHEN TO DBESS. Poultry Culture. M. E. M., Warrensburg, Mo. — Our experience is, that the most profitable age at which to dress hares for market is about four months. The last three weeks the hare should be fed all it can possibly eat, as the meat is much more tender where the animal is fattened quickly. 94 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. TO COOK BELGIAN HARES. The Fruit World. Capt. Smith of the Abbotsford Inn, Los Angeles, gives the following receipes : The French people more than any other nation, perhaps, appreciate how to obtain the very best results in preparing the Belgian Hare for market and in cooking it; and it is for this reason that they make from the Belgian Hare such extremely palatable morsels. Hare served in stew with cream and gravy, and flavored with wine, as terrapin, is pronounced delicious and infinitely better than chicken or the average game bird prepared in tastiest manner. "Hare in the blanket" is, no doubt, the most popular method of serving the Belgian in England. The hare should be well drawn and then rubbed with whatever flavoring is intended; it is then rolled in a blanket of pastry or dough, which has not enough shortening to prevent a good consistency, and boiled. For flavoring, wine and a few hot condiments impart a gaminess that makes one ask for more. Belgian Hare should never be par- boiled. A most appetizing delicacy is the French grill. When the rabbits are about three months old, they are cut down the front and rolled out flat, put between the prilling irons over the coals and basted with butter. They are then equal in delicacy to frogs' legs and in flavor to green-winged teal. If properly pre- pared the flesh is perfectly white. HOW TO COOK BELGIAN" HARE. Western Graphic. The hare having been properly fed and penned before killing, should be rinsed quickly and thoroughly, wiped with a clean, dry cloth. It should be kept at least forty-eight hours before cooking, but, as in the case of game, it is better to let the hares hang for three or four days, or even longer in cold weather. Broiled Hare. — If you broil, see that the hares are young, under four or five months, therefore tender. After a brief soak- ing in water into which no soda or salt has been put (if the hares are young they will have no unpalatable flavor and consequently great care must be taken to preserve their natural delicacy), dry BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 95 well with a clean cloth, and gash them down the back through the thickest portion; then flatten each, place it on a grid-iron, and broil over a bed of clear coals, turning often. Or you may lay them smooth on the bottom of a dripping-pan, and cook in a hot oven without basting; oil the pan slightly with a little sweet drip- ping, or a bit of fresh butter ; they should be done in half an hour. Stewed. — Having cut the hares into joints, drop into a pot, and cover with boiling water; then slice in an onion and a bit of bacon, and stew slowly one hour, or until tender. As old hares are best stewed, it will do no harm to. put in a yoang chicken, stewing all together. At the end of half an hour add a few po- tatoes, peeled, and cut in quarters, and, if liked, some small bits of light paste, after the potatoes get fairly boiling. When all are done, stir in a little cream thickened with white flour, boil up a moment and dish for the table. Fried Belgian. — Disjoint and cut uniform pieces, cover with boiling water, and let it simmer until quite tender. Then re- move carefully to a dry dish. Dredge wejl with flour and drop into very hot butter to brown. Serve with gravy made from the liquor in which it was boiled and cream. Two tablespoonful of vinegar added while boiling is an improvement. A few table- spoonsful of claret add a gaminess to the dish. Koast Hare. — Make a dressing of fine dry bread-crumbs ; part graham is best. Add to the crumbs a small lump of fresh butter, a little dry sage (or other herb, if preferred), and moisten well with tepid water, stirring well as you add it. Do not put in too much water ; have the dressing light and flakey, not wet and heavy. The large and delicious liver of the hare, having been thoroughly steamed, will add an unwonted zest if chopped into bits and put into the stuffing. Fill the hare with this, leaving plenty of room for the dressing to swell ; sew up, put the hare into a dripping-pan, add a cup of boiling water, and roast as slowly as possible during the first half hour. Baste every fifteen cr twenty minutes, turning as needed ; and if any part browns too fast, cover it with a clean napkin wet in warm water, and folded two or three times. Allow from one to two hours for roasting; test with a fork, to ascertain when the hare is done, take them out of the pan and make the gravy ; drain the grease all off, and pet the pan on the stove : then nut in any tid-bits (as the liver, etc.), and the liquor in which thev were boiled; thicken with a little browned flour wet with milk or water, and boil up a moment. LIBRARY OF CONGRES: JUL 17 1900 96 BELGIAN HARE SCRAP BOOK. 002 848 202 4 TO BAKE BELGIAN HARE. By Mrs. E. F. Hunting,, Kansas City. The hare should be properly dressed, after which it should be soaked a few hours to extract the blood. It should then be parboiled slightly, when it can be stuffed or otherwise. If not stuffed, lay it in a baking pan with the back uppermost, dredge with salt and flour, have plenty of water under the rack on which the hare rests, bake slowly, turning often and basting with butter. With a, rich meat gravy, this will be a dish fit for an epicure. BELGIAN HAEE PIE. By M. C. M., Warrensburg, Mo. Stew the hare until tender, season with salt and pepper, using plenty of butter. When done drain, leaving the liquor in the stew-pan. Put the meat in a bowl and chop as for chicken- pie. Line a pie-pan with rich biscuit dough, fill with the chopped meat, add more butter and pour on liquor enough to keep it soft. Cover with a top crust and bake a delicate brown. Use remaining liquor to pour over each piece when served or serve with cranberry frappe or sauce. BAKED BELGIAN HAEE. By Mrs. N. F. Almond, Kansas City, Mo. To be prepared to perfection the hare must hang for some time, after having been killed, at least 24 hours. After it is skinned, wash it well, and soak for an hour in warm water. Wipe dry, fill with dressing and sew it up. Bring the hind and fore- legs close to the body towards the head, run a skewer through each. Eub with salt and a little pepper. Put in double bake pan with a very little hot water. Bake slowly. Baste with milk and butter heated together. Baste