The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1920-11-03

this kind of food and consequently not
willing to pay prices that would war
rant the raising of rabbits for the
table. Lately, however people here
and there have very quietly taken up
rabbit raising. first for home use then
need for meat. City and suburban
dwellers now are raising rabbits in
back yards. Although the production
yet is comparatively small, 1t is steadi-
~ increasing.
In certain localities in California,
Oregon, Washington, Colorado. Kansas.
Missouri, Michigan and several other
States the domesticated rabbit is rec
ognized as a regular meat animal. Rab-
bits are either shipped to market alive
In crates or are neatly dressed ready
for cooking and packed in sanitary
manner for transportation.
The first object in rabbit raising is
to supply home needs, and, according
to specialists Of the bureau of biologi-
cal survey of the United States de-
partment of agriculture, this is a
proposition for turning to account
time, space, and materials which ordi-
narily would be wasted. AS such it
appeals very strongly to prudent peo-
pie. If one be inclined to disdain
domesticated rabbits on account of
experience with wild rabbits, he should
know that the latter. as sold in butch
err shops, are not to be compared with
tender young hutch rabbits. The flesh
of the tame rabbit is highly nutri
tious and desirable food, resemhi
somewhat the white meat Of chicken.
Wherever 1t has been introduced in
the markets 1t has become popular and
the demand for 1t has steadily IN
creased.
Deal Only With Reputable Breeders,
The favorite of long standing, both
In American and In Europe, is the
Belgian hare. 1t develops rapidly,
furnishes meat that is white and ten
der. and, as 1t has small bones, makes
less waste than do the larger breeds.
The selection Of stock, however, is
chiefly matter Of taste. although 1t
may be Influenced more or less by the
markets to be supplied. For example,
the family table would demand small
err animals than would the trade Of a
restaurant or hotel. 1t is best, say
department specialists, to begin with
only one breed and to concentrate on
developing that into stock that may
be a source Of pride and profit.
One buck and two or three does are
enough to start with. Young animals
of breeding age are better than older
ones, which will soon be past their
usefulness. 1t Is always st to deal
with reputable breeders and to exam
ire the stock before buying it. When
rabbits are ordered by mail. it should
be on condition that they may be re-
turned Immediately II not found to be
as represented. The rabbit industry
has suffered greatly from unscrupu-
Ions advertising. Misrepresentation as
~ the origin of stock and as to IFS
quality have been common, and novices
In rabbit breeding often have been de-
ceived.
The cost of starting a rabbitry de-
ponds OH its size and the price OF
material. Hutches for animals may
vary in cost from a few cents each
the price Of an empty dry-goods box
to several dollars II expended TOT
dressed lumber to be put together by
a carpenter. On farm where usually
odds and ends Of lumber and poultry
netting are available and where hay
grain and milk are produced in abun'
dance the money cost Of starting and
carving on a small rabbitry Is negli