The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1901-07-11
The Belgian HARE.
A Belgian hare enthusiast Of this val
lev sends THE HERALD the following:

|
ley sends THE HERALD the following:
In spite of the efforts Of some of the
farm and poultry papers to retard the
growth OF the Belgian hare industry in
this state and elsewhere, it seems des-
tined to become one Of the staple pro-
ducts of the Pacific coast and especially
of Yakima valley. The Pacific states
took the lead in this new enterprise and
with population of about ne-twentieth
of the whole United States owns six
seventies Of all the Belgian hares in this
country. The result is that the great
centers OF of population in the east are
now receiving most Of their high grade
breeding stock from the Pacific instead
OF importing it from England, the orig
inal home of the little animal.
England's greatest champions have
been bought at fabulous prices and i'm
ported to California and other Pacific
states within the past two years and
now Fashoda, the champion of the world,
is owned by Los Angeles rabbitry, and
took the first prize of 800 at the Bel
gian hare exposition at that place in
February, 1900.
Impositions upon the ignorance OF the
general public as to the quality OF the
Belgian hare, were and are now practiced
to a large extent by INSCRIPTIONS dealers
and breeders. Many mongrel and low
grade specimens were sold as thorough
bred animals, but the organization OF
Belgian hare clubs in most of the large
cities, has done much to eliminate this
drawback to worthy and commendable
industry. The mass Of those now in
vesting are better qualified to judge as
to the merits of the stock purchased
than formerly. They have examined
the STANDARD of excellence" adopted by
England and this country and discover
that color counts for about thirty-five
per cent. in scoring and that Rufus Red,
not golden tan nor sandy gray, consti-
tutes the true color of the ideal Belgian
hare. The standard as adopted in this
country and England is as follows.
Disqualitications--l. Topped or fallen ear or
.. White front feet or white tar or bars
on same. 8. Decidedly wry front feet. L.
wry tail specimen should have the benefit
of any doubt.
Color-Rich rufus red mot dark, smudgy eolor)
carried well down sides and hind
quarter, and as little white under jaws
as possible .,......... s..,............... 70
Tcking-Rather wavy appearance and plen.
hape-Body-long, thin, well tucked up
flank, and well ribbed up: back--slight
ly arched: loins--well rounded, not
choppy head-rather lengthy; muscu-
lar chest; rail-straight, not screwed
and altogether of racy appearance. 20
Ears-About five inches, tn in. well laced on
tips, and as far down outside edges as
possible; good color inside and outside,
and well set on Observation-Disclosures. 10
Eyes-Hazel color large, round, bright and
bold Observation-Disclosures. -. ........ 10
Legs and Feet-Forefeet and legs-long,
straight, slender. well colored and free
from white bars; hind feet-as well col
ored as possible NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 10
Size-About eight pounds ............. 8
Condition-Not tat, but flesh firm like q race
horse. and good quality of fur. ........ 81
without Dewlap. ...........s... ......- -. 8
Total. $50. -. 100