Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-09

two inches up the leg, and be even all round
the shank in its junction with the back. 1t
should also be of the same length on the
two feet. The fore feet and legs are, like
the chest, white
l will now describe the Lop rabbit, which
is another popular breed. For show purposes
there is only one Lop, the animal whose, ears
droop evenly at either side of the head,
and are not less than eighteen inches long,
measuring from the tip of one ear to the ex-
tremity of the other. In breeding Lops you
must select the parents, first for their SIZE,
tunately a decidedly delicate one in the
second place, for their ear qualities; and, IN
the third and subordinate degree, for their
color, a comparatively non-material point
For many generations breeders have gone
in for artificial forcing process OF ''rals-
ing in heat" but such is not to be tolerated,
as it entirely spols the constitution of the
rabbits, and most breeders now recognize that
clean hutches and proper ventilation are es-
sential to the well-being of their stock, and it
is pretty well settled fact that as good
rabbits in point of ear can be bred without
heat as with it. As regards color, any whole
color is liked, and slight amount of white
is not objected to, provided it is not on the
nose tip. For breeding choose a self-colored
doe, for choice bright orange fawn, and a
parti-colored orange and white buck, and do
not use two rabbits of the same self-color or
two dark colors.
Inc rlemlSn ClanJ IS anOtner IaVOrlIe. L ne
standard weight Of these rabbits, as fixed by
the National Flemish Giant Club, is for
fun grown bucks not less than eleven pounds
and does thirteen pounds. The distinguish
ing feature of this variety seems to be that
the bucks are mostly smaller than the does,
whilst the females possess a large pouch
under their skin, known as a dewlap, rem
dering the sex apparent. Their immense
bulk, combined with a glossy, dark, steel-gray
ticl1ed coat, gives these rabbits a very hand
some and imposing appearance, and their
gentle, affectlonate disposition and intelll-
gence make them. very attractive pets. |
consider these rabbits are splendid hobby
for any boy reader, as fine specimens COM
mand high prices. and the poor ones provide
a plentiful and dainty dish, whilst the cost
of maintenance is scarcely more than other
varieties which only average three to five
pounds weight when fully grown.
| could go on writing about rabbits for a
long time without exhausting the varieties,
but must say word or two on some
other minor pets which our boys might take
up.
The next sort of pet in Importance to the
different kinds of cavies is called the Agouti,
and | will first of all describe this variety.
Golden Agoutis are very popular, and as tney
grow to a good size and are very hardy, they
make splendid pets. The points sought for
in judging are size and shape (the larger the
head qualities and soundness and richness of
coloring. The ticking or Agouti marking
must extend all over the ANIMAL not desert
ing the. lower part of the back, where its
tail might be, if it possessed one. The only
part of the body free from this marking
deep a hue as possible. The head of well
bred cavy is very massive, the rising of the
sitter hair above the middle of the nose
gives a curved or Roman outline to the pro-