St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-08-21
What is a Belgian Hare.

Speci6c information as to the origin OF
the Belgian Hare is indeed much wrap
ned in doubt and obscurity. Primarily,
il is supposed to have originated in Bel.
gium and from there introduced into
England. Some forty years ago. If we
are to believe the statements OF Ernest
Wilkins in his admirable work on the
Belgian hare, a race of tame rabbits
arose in that country much resembling
the wild hare of England. These were
first known as ''Leporines." Since their
introduction into England, to quote
from Mr.. wilkins book directly, they
have been bred continuously, but with
two distinct and different objects, name
lv: in the one for size, and in the other
to develop a rabbit of the form, color
and fur of the wild hare. The large race
has been called "Patagonian," but is
now recognized in different type as the
Flemish Giant. The former has been
named the Belgian hare. OF course the
race has been greatly improved by care
full breeding and selection since those
early days, and as a result of this we
now have many magnificent specimens.
We learn from DR.. Barham of England
that early Belgians doubtless were bred
| from imperfect specimens imported from
Belgium. In 1885 Mr.. Salter, another
English authority, was of the opinion
that the breeding OF fancy varieties OF
| domestic animals has done much to in
terest and instruct men of science. AS
regards rabbits, one curious result has
been the production by careful selection
| r ~, Oocbac avis n
CONFORMATION and color Lepus timidus.
From such beginnings in many ways,
under diverse conditions, and in the
hands of many breeders the Belgian
hare as we see it today has evolved.
Belgians have been bred in this country
for number OF years. believe a Mr..
Hughes, of Albany, New York, bred
them years ago; other pet stock fanciers
in New England, the Middle States, and
even in the west, have bred hares Oft and
on for the past twenty years; but the
economic Importance of Belgian hare
culture never attracted wide attention
until a number of breeders in Colorado
took hold of it and exploited its value
from a producing and pet stock
point of view. That was some four
years ago. Closely following in the lead
of Colorado breeders, Southern Calitor-
MIA suddenly came to the fore as a
champion of this sleek little animal.
HOW LONG WILL THE BUSINESS LAST?
That is question many are asking
We answer: FOOD, CLOTHING, AND Shell
TER ARE ABSOLUTE NECESSITIES, rating IN
value in the order named, in temperate
zones. No industry properly located and
conducted on business principles, supply
ing either Of these necessities, can cease
to be profitable.
The Belgian hare supplies the first and
most important of these requirements as
no other animal can. Its flesh can bt
produced for much less per pound thar
pork, beet, mutton, or poultry, and com
pares with them in nutritive value a:
follows:
Pork yields rs per cent of nutriment
Beef SIS per cent. Mutton, IS per cent
Chicken, so per cent. Belgian hare, 81
per cent. And it is so easily digestec
that physicians prescribe it for fever pa
tients, old and feeble persons; consump
tives, etc.
Belgian meat commands ill the oper
, market, where it's desirable qualities are
known, three times the price of rounc
hog, twice as much as beef by the side
double the price of mutton, third mor'
than chicken, equals the price of turkey
and is vastly superior from every stand
point to either.