News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-09-04
A Chapter on Belgian Hares.

q CIObb mlUh II IA hoAC VI "AC3
but is a product of crossing and up
breeding of the Red Belgian with the
lop-eared rabbit of South Africa to-
gether with the Dutch rabbit OF Ger
many and France; selections being
made always with the English hare
as a type. AS further proof of this
the English hare will not mate with
others, produces but two filters a
year and gives but two young at a
litter.
The merits of the Belgian when first
introduced into this country, about
twelve years ago, we're but little
known and it vas by no means b
perfect little animal that we find in
hutches of American breeders and
fanciers to. day. 1t is only within the
past three years that it's value as a
fur and meat producing animal, has
been generally known and acknowl-
edged, and in this short time it has
made such a record in this respect
that the raising of Belgian Hares for
the market and for fancy is recogniz-
ed to-day as a distinct and profitable
industry.
Two reasons are apparent for its
culture in America: First. Thecon-
tinued high price of all edible meats,
necessarily SO because OF the large
cost of raising beef, pork, mutton
and poultry, ETC., has caused wide
awake people to lookfor a substitute
meat that is as good or better and
can be raised cheaper. Second. The
impending extinction of the majority
of the ~fur-bearing animals, as seal,
buffalo, otter, minks, fox, martin,
etc., demands that a substitute fur
be produced that can be steadily
reared in domestication.
The Belgian Hare meets these two
requirments. His flesh is more nutri-
tious than beef, mutton or poultry.
1t surpasses all other meats in the
clear Wilderness of it's appearance, its
delicacy of flavor, high percentage OF
nutriment, it's absence of ~nauseating
greases and costs but two or three
cents per poundto raise. There is an
increasing demand for it's use in hos
pitfalls and sanitariums, being es-
pecially adapted to the requirments
of invalids, as it is easily digested
and the most nutritious meat pro-
durable. The Belgian is thoroughly
do~mesticated, dainty asto its eating,
scrupulously clean in its habits and
will not barber vermin.
A Boston butcher of years expert
ence says 81 never havefound a para.
site of any kind in the flesh of a hare
and consider the flesh seventy per
cent purer than chicken"
1t has been said that the skin alone
will pay the expense of raising a Bel.
gian; skins are now selling at from
twenty-five cents to So so each, &C
cording to size and quality. The de-
mand for them is increasing continu.
ally, expanding in all directions. The
finer fur is exceedingly beautiful and
durable, that from common BeIgians,
when dyed. is known as electric seal,
The leather issoft, pliableand strong.
1t is in great demand for glove max
ing and promises a strong COMPETE
ton with kid in the manufacture o.
shoes. Hatmakers likewise are com
ing into the marketforgreat numbers
of the pelts.
But the future of this industry must
rest largely on a meat basis, and
while there is a growing demand fol
it in the east, the great mass o
people do not have a remote idea
what a Belgian Hare looks like. Ir
each of several of our large cities anC
resorts, we find it included in the
menu of one or two of the leading
hotels, Others are ready to adopt il
as soon as they can be guaranteed 6
supply, SO there is nc doubt but witt
the supply will come the demand
Familiarity with the meat will readi
ly overcome any prejudice against
its use. One meal is sufficient to con
vert the most sturdy of directors
1t is as yet adelicacy which only thu
few can afford.
Aguest of the Randolph at Atlantic
City, recently asked the price of a cul
of Belgian Hare, $3.50 was the wait
er's reply. The meat retails ut from
twenty to twenty-fiv We cents per pound
and should always be quoted higher
than chicken.
There is no animal that has eve
been domesticated that is so prolif,
as the Belgian Hare. A doe will Civ
five or six filters a year, numbering
six or eight each, at a low estimate
The young breed at six months viii
ordinarily give three filters the frs
year. With the aid of a little arith
metic you can easily see that there il
no other industry that promises 81
large and ready returns for the small
capital invested as the rearing of Bel
gian Hares. If after fifty years o
breeding, England imports annual.
N million poundst to supply the fooC
demand, the United States will
seventy-six millions of people and tn,
wild meat supply growing less ever.
year is certainly a boundless field TO
the Belgian Hare industry.
Thn American Federation Of Taho