Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-11-22
BELGIAN HARE FAD
New Profession May Result From So
ciety's Latest Freak.
Preceding Belgian horac 10 a.. =,

Breeding Belgian hares is The lateSt
fad of the fashionable set that has in
! the past devoted its attention to rais-
| ing game cocks, pigeons and fancy
fowl. 1t has not struck Maine vet Ia
any extent, but 1t is on the way and
will get here in due time. Already some
Maine people are in the business.
The culture of the Belgian have ;s
greater in southern California than in
any other part of the country. al
though several prominent farms in the
East have gone into the business more
or less extensively. The culture of
these Belgian beauties has reached a
degree Of Importance in this country
that far exceeds its position in Eng
land. the seat of its original ,levelop-
ment. and it is predicted by the en-
thusiasts that the United States will
hereafter produce the largest members
and finest specimens Of the new race.
This fact points to a new profession
in this country. that of the expert in
Belgian hare culture and within "A few
years the demand for such experts will
be great.
The beauty and the grace Of the Bel
makes him unusually attractive as a
pet, as well as an ideal animal for the
fancier who seeks to breed individuals
of the highest excellence. His most
permanent merit will doubtless be
found in the quantity of delicious
meat he furnishes at a cost less than
poultry or any similar table deicacy.
1t is already recognized as an ideal
a ;,. .,lu
der and free from grease and in
ferior fats Al the age of three months
the Belgian will dress three or four
pounds.
AS show animal the Belgian is
fast coming into favor. The prevail
ing color OF the thoroughbred is a
redd,sh tan. known as Rufus red"
The color is not solid. however. but
shows most clearly at the shoulders
and top of the neck. The launches
are q erayish brown in color. and each
hair on portions of the animal is
tipped with black, called ticking.
which gives a peculiarly rich appear
ance TO the best fur. The eyes are
prominent. and the ears should he
about five inches in length. and firmly
carried. An edging of black hairs
called 'lacine" extends over the tips
OF the ears and we'll down the edges.
In build the best Belgians are long.
slim and narrow in front. with small
forcfeet ana legs. The hind legs are
large and powerful and contain tic
best meat
There seems to be good reason why
50 many people are going into the Bel
gian hare raising" business. There
is no waste to the Belgian hare. His
flesh Sells i'll the market when one Is
once established for 20 cents per
pound The fur is extensively use.i
nowadays for trimming garments,
and ior lining gloves. 1t is very soft
ana fire. ANA can he dyed to look like
seal. IKE ears are saved and mounted
IN silver for hon-bon boxes. The feet
are mounted in silver and used for pa
ter weights ana powder brushes.
Many are used in the theatrical pro
fcssion. in the process Of making up,
From the entrails pepSin is extracted,
and there are other uses to when
other parts of the body are put. 1t viii
he seen from this that the hare is
profitable animal for all To handle ana
the increase i'll its propagation Is no
doubt largely due to this fact.