The times., 1900-12-30

While breeders of fancy Belgian hares
are yet unable 90 supply the demand for
choice animals, and are reaping large
profits, the true value and ultimate
utility of the hare abide in its meat quail
ties. How long it will be before all hares
are sold at meat prices it is impossible
to say. The breeders of Shorthorn CT
Durham cattle began importing from
Teeswattr. England. in 1927. and the
Hereforls cane into prominence about
1886, and yet choice individuals OF these
great strains still bring from $500 to
5000 each.
The Belgian hare is even more respon
sive to point breeding than cattle. and the
day is far distant when a choice breeding
buck or dee will not bring a price far
above its mes,t value. The day when Bel
gian hare meat Will be put on the market
in a steady supply is not far away, how
ever, and every true and honest breeder
will welcome its arrival.
Practically, the raising OF sheep has
been relegated to our Western plains and
ranges. The ordinary farmer has no room
for them. There is little or no profit in
raising cattle in a small way, and the
farmer with limited number of acres
must draw the line at pigs and poultry.
Now when he comes to add Belgian hares,
he Will have an animal that requires but
small space. is not decimated by cholera,
or destroyed by vermin. He will have an
animal that is prolific and of early ma
turity. He VIII have one that can be kept
inexpensively. and yet affording the
choices, meat with which a table can be
supplied
One hen will produce easily three
broods of chickens in twelve months, and
lay above her hatch, eight dozen eggs. II
successful with her chicks, thirty-six may
be brought to maturity. These at 20
cents each, and the eggs at 10 cents per
dozen gives the product of one hen a value
of $3.50 For this value over ten milli2n
people in the United States are raising
chickens. yet the supply is never equal to
the demand
A man bas a good Belgian doe. Her
product, estimated at six litters per year
and four young to the litter brings him
twentyfour young. which, at so cents
each, which is lower figure than
they have ever or will ever bring
would outyield the hen. But the
average litter OF a doe is eight young,
half of which are females. When
these are six months old they may be
bred. So in all probability his product
from one doe and her daughters VIII bring
the total up to ninety head, and even at
20 cents each (chicken price,, he has dou-
bled the money product of hen.
great advantage the Belgian hare has
over other classes of live stock Is the
sDlallness OF space required for its rails
ing and the small expense necessary to
feed it. The man who raises cattle, sheep,
or hogs must have extensive pasture lands
and feed lots, and great depots of supplies
OF provender. The man who raises chick
ems or turkeys must have ranges and
closely wired runs. and a variety of feed.
If his poultry is in ducks and geese,
he requires ponds OF water for their
proper cultivation The Belgian hare
backyard animal that has no desire to
go beyond the confines of the little home
his ancestors for nearly century have
inhabited. The home of the Belgian hare
is called hutch. 1t may be made by a
carpenter at slight expense; or anyone
who possesses sufficient knowledge and
skill in the use of saw and hammer.
TIE food of the Belgian should be Sc
lected with care. Buy the best clipped
white oats. small handful Zone quarter
pinD to each adult hare twice a day is
all the grain it requires. At night give a
small bunch of red clover, alfalfa, or pea
vine hay, but no musty hay should be fed.
4 pint Of clean water each day completes
the list OF things necessary to keep hares
in good physical condition. A doe with
litter should. however, have food before
it all the time.