The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-12-13
THE BELGIAN HARE.
If You have a Little Money and a
few Spare Moments You
Can Raise Them.

The latest acquisition to our domestic
animals and, in some respects, superior
to any which contribute to our food
supply, is the Belgian hare. The Bel
gian hare is exceedingly domestic in its
nature and can thrive in close cOnfine-
ment, doing well in small boxes in back
yards, or in any convenient corner in
and about the residence or barn.
For cleanliness we have no other do
inestic animal that will compare with it.
Lis i1stinctively clean in all its habits,
i1II1I animal that we know e
sssss!aa in large hhersl -
and about the residence without serious
objection. The Belgian hare is so scru-
pulously clean, when given Intelligent
care, that no fault can be found with it
by the most fastidions.
We have no meat producing animal
that is 80 easily and cheaply supplied
with food as the Belgian hare. Its de-
nlands are exceedingly small, nor does
itrequire the frequent attention that
most domestic animals do. 1t will
thrive on the trimmings of garden veg.
etabies OF hay alone. As a meat pro.
ducer the Belgian hare stands at the
very head Of all our domestic animals,
not only in the superb quality of the
meat, but in quantity as we'll. 1t will
many times excel in the latter regard
any animal that can he kept in equal
space and at no greater expense. The
delicate and richly favored meat it pro-
duces is pronounced by our eplcures as
superior to that produced by any do.
nestle animal or fowl. 1t is claimed
that no sweeter or more palatable meat
was ever served for human food.
The Belgian hare is the most prolific
of any animal that has been domestica-
ted. In this respect it is marvel. 1t
will produce its young every sixty days
and on an average of from eight to
twelve at q time. At the age of four
months it will dress from four to five
pounds, and the bones will weigh but a
few ounces. With due attention and
ordinary success over two hundred an.
imais may be produced in one year from
single pair.
The Belgian is a beautiful little fellow,
graceful in form and action, clean in its
habits, and in every way most inter-
esting animal to care for, every atten-
ton being reciprocated by the most al
fectionate notice. 1t is SO doclle child
may handle it With perfect freedom, and
il susceptible of such high development
that the fancier may grow enthusiastic
over it. Its graceful shape, dainty feet,
rich color, silken fur, beautiful ticking
and delicate laced ears are points which
delight his heart. These in connection
with it's afectionate disposition make it
for the fancier one of the most delight
full and interesting animals. Not alone
is the Belgian desirable for it's meat and
the fancier. but its fur and skin are also
valuable.
The Belgian hare business seems to be
especially adapted for the employment
OF women. To many it has proven
more renumerative and far easier than
clerking, book keeping, typewriting,
teaching and other lines of work usually
followed by women.
The business also offers advantages to
those possessing small capital, as it re-
quires but little cash to get started, and
{ by proper attention only short time
will pass before the cages will be we'll
filled. The Belgian hare can be success.
+ fully bred anywhere in the country.
Right here in Leon we have rabbitry
owned by f. u. Close which contains
some Of the best bred hares in America.
II has at its head Imported Lord Rose
berry, fine buck which scored officially
4 96 points, the highest score ever gwen
TO buck in America. His sire WAS
Champion Edinboro, winner of first
prize at Barton, first and two specials at
l,oughborough, first cup and two spe.
Gals at Edinboro, first and special at
Rugby, first medal at Northampton and
many other prizes. He by Lincoln
Mystery, the sire of the '99 Palace Cup
doe. Rosebery's dam was Champion
Noble Queen, she by Nation Mystery,
winner of 10 prizes.
The Duke of Banbury jr. is another
fine buck which he purchased direct
from the California Rabbitry at Los
Angeles, Calf, the largest rabbitry in
America.
i The does are all finely bred and pedi-
greed, and there is no better Belgian
stock,enywhere than that in tha LeonJl