_ Rabbit Culture and Standard i (By me le W.. F, Roth, M. D. ube and C. T, Cornman x u | Mbvied by C. R. Deardorff | yee Rabbit Culture and Standard BY THE LATE W. F. ROTH, M. D. AND’ CHARLES T. CORNMAN REVISED BY Cc. R. DEARDORFF The Standards contained herein have been revised to conform, in point valuations, to the latest official Standards, as adopted by the lead- ing pet stock associations. The word descriptions used in the first - edition of this work have been adopted by the pet stock organizations with but slight changes in wording and arrangement, without altering the meaning or application, hence, no change in that respect necessary, except to add description of new varieties, thus bringing this edition down-to-date in every particular. % ~ Le Sz 4s foros ¢ wy : a a eet ra ‘ a ¢.- oe ? 4 * Ps _ i Copyrighi 1914 By The ITEM PUBLISHING CO. Sellersville, Pa. Revised Edition Copyright 1916 By The ITEM PUBLISHING CO. Sellersville, Pa. 3rd Edition—Revised and Up-to-date Copyright 1918 By The ITEM PUBLISHING CO. Sellersville, Pa. Printed by the POULTRY ITEM PRESS Sellersville, Pa. ’ Ocaso0iesa PRICE JUL 23 19}8 Paper Cover..... $.50 ne Cloth Cover....... 1.00 FRV-E j Index to Articles “Pp DUES TIT 0c be Sameer ae ee eT Ee ree 5 CSL OR NRSC GUN RUITE Heh eq go aay a Sr AE a Re a die ae 12 Ww Beis dA LO AT oo ee ee ete cas Oe Naha, OEE opie elas Gee ta de have’ gf PR TIE CG eee ek AS cota cst alae oa iM ona aie 23 BMG ie ee Or oe 23 ROT Doge Cae, ees en iS Soci dle ala glaeia' eetuieaie wees OS 28 BEMID AU ANAT cues eee etre em ee aa est ek Pe or tl Fe 35 op RIN SIO A CIRENT Gs RR ig 8 SRR id nh RM ee ame Rea Sete 38 ilver Fawn, Silver Brown, and Silver Blue, ssc. a vias oe 41 Ga : PRPS ter Pt mag Sy erie Re ar A a a ah Re Al IAM ANNA es ty once shes ha LK Ske Eee a fas Bante anh ce ana gL len any A 45 (LP DLNSI CTS a einai es Ante ls = icp” in east ey cua cera rc er aa Oe -. 46 Beason lan oon a she ee et es ets ot OS BA Ee So 5 49 1 ETCETERA ee ip ep PL ase Ein ag. ON EMRE NCSI Aah 50 er ae, 50 St PRMRICAM Ue: se ec) art Bee ae as. Sy Dae os 51 PCM MGS Catt neg te Cas a ere AMA is aes oct, se er sues ac 51 ie lens IAM bes ye ek ee ee yee us a fon ee ans oe 52 eey rm lemish= Gloniss. sie Geeks be sis as eee ee ee 62 Sabie Colored Giants) 8. 6 eS Ss pee 63 ie Beleion Giants sie hee oe ais Shc ea eee ee 63 Pemericnn Spotted GianuS~ 25 Gon ccs ok esi eee ee oes sess 64 Breme Aealand: Reds gies oe ee ok a ee he ae Coy ob tge “e 64 ablecon: Weights), 2 os ee ene Ae? 00 The Belgian Hare ..... eee ee Meee ci punee a at Bien oes 67 Physical Characteristics :.<. 50 #2 nee) ee ee ie Rte MND 386i aves sibs Wake Gea ag Jo aReRe o aetgeat ol olargeetgl Aeeoh ouaels Hugh O MOON ek ee ee te el he kee ae one a ee iD PeCCUInS TOM COLOR. a Fe tee ooo UR eo os oc eee aie 16 BUC MINO eee teria rr YS Eat wis ole eevee hoe w Sie we wae elas pees 81 Breeding: for Shape. Mating 2 oil Vai. Oe 88 Breeding, Building Up A Strain and Inbreeding ....... Baten Meh Oe ie ay atv beens el nce os ineun sche ds econ eke Urata ang 94 Srandard tom beleian: Mares i... fice ws 6s cease Slee. « 94 Study for the Standard of the Belgian Hare ........... 100 Sulina hd Ober OlMtSt ye hea ene Cee sco wale ale aieere te wre 103 Official Belgian Bae SLOG Marilee AEP Ian Ree asc & 107 PER EECR. o. Sgr eS can SOK o> aoe tapi at) pid oe RR gals aay 108 Mere en ee ce ee ala ee tre 112 MOS 8 Oe or es Page RO AE Sha cht re catunnle ity ane 2 Sette Secpers ore? wie bly Joo. FTW ETENGSS Yom Bibl RAP Ho] 6) & cs See me ca mo Ore a 120 Ene pamation Tor HOW TROON 6 22. a cieie Sale oe ois Gis a a ole bole tare. 123 PMB hONrt WMLeSh flim core cay cat a olne ies sie ete os ol aie ae 6, oe 125 Preparation for the Table ..............e eee eeeeeeeneeeees 127 Index to Engravings Portrait of Dr. W. F.. Roth...< 022 30.00. 5.2... 15 6 Portrait..of. C. T. Cornman « ....0 220.282 oss «a 8 Portrait of C. R. Deardorff:. 220... sn 2608 5 os > eee 10 Binelish Hop... cise ks od B20 97 othe a> ee 19 Black and: White: Lop oi). 20 ae A 20 Chart of Ideal Dutch Marked Rabbit ...............eecees 25 An: Aded), Daten: (ic Nea Ss Costes oc ee oe a ae 26 A. Fine Imported Angor2. Buck... 2)..4-).. +>. -.¢240..peee 29. A° Well Groomed White Angora ......... 0.00.00 e000 yes Soe 30 Black and White ‘Angora 2:2 seieds.2. fos tte i eee 33 Ebindalayeam eee LG oe asa Stem le Soe Wee ok oo te 34 paewer: Grey css ale alas fen 2 oo wo lage ee sas nye 389 Binplish’ 5.253 ek oes Rav eS oe ales aos we 40 Chart of Ideal Enslish Rabbit)... 052.. .2.00 eee 43 PNneish-: 5... sek soi Cex eds wane che eee eae 44 Politely oc 85 FAS ea aa ro 47 A. Good:S. o.22.s2¢4 into ehhgas oidiay 59 An: Ideal Belgian Hare: « s ...464963 204 6h. 3434 eee 69 Chart of Ideal Beleian Hare ™. 00.2555... ses oe 70 Alert and Wide-Awake Ideal Belgian Hare ................. 79 A Good Belgian Hare Doe . ...s cscQens ned eine 80 “Hurry Up With My Chow” 2.20. 4:4, 8912505 eee 89 17% ‘th. Flemish Doe? . 3s: sa 451 p)be eee eee Pa By 90 Line «Breeding: Chartio..2 vs oS). sg auc. a tiers Sa a 92 A; Convenient Rabbit. Hutch: 3.5... 5 ss: 63a eee 113 Movable Outdoor Hutch ° 25:28:54, 26 es eaeeeee isda Be 114 A’ Simple Movable Outdoor Hutch . v6.5.5... Ss cs 55% eee eee 115 A-Sinrple Outdoor Huteh: 2.550. 056.5 wah ste ea eee 116 See ee ee ee en ek ere ae Foreword R. W. F. ROTH died September 3, 1911. At the time of ID his death he was under contract with the Poultry Item, of Sellersville, Pa., to write a brochure on rabbits. The manuscript in an urifinished condition passed into our hands after his demise. The fact that Dr. Roth was not per- mitted to finish this work is one deeply to be regretted. He stood out as the greatest authority on this subject the United States has yet produced. It was his desire to erect this as a monument that would stand the test of time, but we have here another illustration of how man proposes and God disposes. In taking up the completion of this work I do so with fear and trembling, appreciating the difficulty in attempting to carry out the great work outlined by him. All a man can do in this world is to do the best he can and it is my desire that I detract not one jot nor tittle from the work. The intent of this brochure is to present the rabbit as a Fancy; and an industry of utility value. More especially in the interest of the Belgian Hare, than any of the other varieties. This means its successful breeding for profitable and useful pur- poses as a fancy and for food. To do this is not an easy effort at this time, owing to a serious blow the rabbit as a then possible industry received some years since. : It was not, however, any fault of the rabbit that the “boom” fell flat; but it was the fault of a false understanding of a ven- ture of this sort by a “‘syndicate” of indiscreet, if not dishonest, promoters. The country was not yet ripe for the recognition by rush methods of an industry both new and foreign; and if any- thing, the hasty, vivid, and glaring claims were too palpably overwrought for intelligent absorption by a large and otherwise preoccupied community. America was too long and wide of ex- panse, with teo well supplied a market of all foods which were 5 then yet too honestly placed on the consumer’s table, for him to realize that the rabbit was an actual necessity. In fact, he didn’t need it. If he desired “rabbit,” which was heretofore considered more a game than domestic food, the woods, fields and prairies were full of it. But things are different now. In the last decade the wild animal has become decidedly scarce; poultry is kept at a continual advance and almost prohibitive price, and the trusts manipulating other food stuffs have made numerous products very close to a luxury, notably the meats. Nor is our population decreasing among any class except the ae Ne crea = DR. W. F. ROTH “400” -and food we must have. The necessity for food at more reasonable prices becomes more apparent every day by reason of the present prices being entirely inconsistent with the wage of the moderate working class—that class which needs most at all times. This necessity has even forced itself vaguely upon the dim vision of our muddled politicians occupying the State Legislative chairs to the extent that the 1907 Legislature of Pennsylvania enacted a law permitting the trading in slaugh- tered Belgians on the same footing as fow!s in the open market 6 the year round. We should all be grateful for this act, for it is largely a recognition of a meat for public consumption that has hitherto been considered more game than domestic. It places the rearing of the domestic rabbit as an industry and fancy on the same footing as that of fowls, and what is now before the breeder is the exercise of wisdom, prudence and judicious methods essential to the education of a consuming public to the value of this new meat as a reasonably priced food. Nor should this be specially difficult, since the meat of the rabbit is unquestionably the most dainty and most nutritious of all meats. As an animal, the domestic rabbit is the cleanest and most prolific of all animals used for food, and weight for weight, it costs less to produce five pounds of meat than any other. _ In France, Belgium, and to a great extent in England and Germany, the rabbit is largely the meat food of the peasant pop- ulation, owing not only to the delicacy and nutritious value of the flesh, but for its economic production. — The people of some foreign countries have passed through sad-experiences relative to their meat supply, and while we in big America do not anticipate grave seriousness that our supply will run out, it is withal a serious issue with the poor classes in our large cities to an extent involving millions. The daily papers publish thrilling stories in-almost every issue of instances where suffering for lack of food and meat in particular. are causes of suicide, sickness and even riots. Only the past summer upris- ings by the poor were held from grave results by the Govern- ment making itself indirectly ‘responsible for bringing about a reduction in the rate, so inordinately placed by the beef trust, which controlled almost every pound of beef and pork handled in city trade. I cannot say how the essentials for living are manipulated in foreign countries—whether trusts or syndicates exist to make prices as they please—but if things do not change here by some authority more powerful than the moneyed monopolizers of the commodities of life, we need not go aong the poor of foreign nations to find scarcity of food. As a people we are no better than our foreign brethren. We may be richer—at the present a | i time—but if we keep on wasting things by inordinate living, misguided economy and without thought for next week or next month we are very liable one morning to wake up hungry. (NOTE: The great world-war, now in progress, bids fair to rectify this condition, not only in curtailing the power of trusts, etc., but teaching us all a truer conception of saving and econ- omy.) | Furthermore, statistics inform us that millions of poor people throughout all civilized countries can afford to eat meat no oftener than once a week, and many none the year round. Why this should be so I cannot understand. I do know, though, that the environments of the working classes in the cities are C. T. CORNMAN daily becoming more impossible in the way of securing food, and our country of large, free and abundant America is not by any means so secure within itself as to be immune from possible visitations of disaster in many forms affecting the food supply. Once a nation tolerates its business integrity to become so cor- rupt that-business men obstruct food from reaching a distribu- ting market in order to sustain an inordinate high price over the pretext of scarcity, and allow that food (meat and vegetables) to rot, while people are in want and starving, it is not without the bounds of reason to suppose that such flagrant injustice will 8 go unpunished by the God of Nations. It is a question whether the densest heathen in any section of the world would pursue such tactics to punish an enemy. These remarks are not inapropos to my subject under con- sideration, from the fact that the opportunities at hand in the rearing of rabbits makes it possible to offset much of the in- justice endured by those who need meat and can’t afford to secure it; for these little useful and delicate morsels of flesh can be reared in most any vacant space from a corner on the farm to a four by eight back yard or cellar of a town house. The rabbit is thus utilized by the peasant and poorer classes in foreign countries, and there is no reason why it should not be so utilized in this country, and made a staple food on the same basis as beef, fowl and fish. Why all these arguments should be necessary in behalf of an industry that merits the closest recognition without them, is indeed strange when considered from any point of view—for instance; during the open season for “cotton tails” thousands upon thousands are killed by all manner of disagreeable and unsanitary means; placed on market, and sold at prices twice the actual value of meat per pound, considered even as a deli- cacy. Why not a far more desirable, cleanly, more readily ob- tainable at all times, more nutritious, and cheaper meat produced by the domestic rabbit? Observe the menu cards of hotels, res- taurants and other resorts of the epicure and note lobsters, crab, turtle, and a dozen other disgusting and indigestible things pre- pared a la mode at fancy prices; sirloin—60 cents; lamb—80 cents; veal—40 cents; eggs—two for 25c, and so on through the list—none better, so clean, so digestible, more dainty, or so cheap as the unapproachable loin of a seasonably prepared rab- bit. Why is this superb meat overlooked, or shall I say, neglected, for no reason whatever. I am sure once an intelligent acquaintance is had with it through the medium of judicious culinary experiment, it will become as staple as all the other meats, and the rearing of the domestic rabbit will be an industry of necessity. CHAS. T. CORNMAN. edit the third edition of “RABBIT CULTURE,” 1] realize 1 have undertaken a task in which I cannot hope to measure up to the standard set by that most eminent authority on “rabbits, the original compiler of the best part of this work, W. F. Roth, M.D. It is to be greatly deplored that Dr. Roth was unable to complete the work he set out to do and which was so inopportunely interrupted by his death. As a deep thinker and student along the lines of our chosen hobby, if you are pleased to call it such, the world has scarcely seen his equal. It is, there- fore, with a deep sense of my inferiority that I undertake to revise this work. Indeed I have not dared or presumed to change |: COMPLYING with Poultry Item’s request to revise and C. R. DEARDORFF that part of the text written by him, except to bring certain feat- ures down to date and correct the wording in some places to make the application more general to all varieties of rabbits. If Dr. Roth had a fault, or perhaps we might better say fail- ing, it was that he seems to have been rather too partial to Belgian Hares, and considered all other varieties as of secon- dary importance—so much so indeed that his advice on general subjects, as feeding, hutches, etc., were written with apparently no thought but of the Belgian Hare. This is shown very strik- ingly by his constant reference to “the Hare,” (meaning the 10 Belgian Hare, but perverted by the printers in the former editions to “hare”). The tendency to eulogize this one variety more than others, can, however, be excused when we remember that at the time of his writings, the Belgian Hare was really the leader in popularity—the New Zealands then unknown, and the Flemish just beginning to demand popular notice. I have take the liberty to correct this impression of favor- itism to some extent, by changing the wording and phraseology: in places to make a more general application, so far. as I was able without unduly interfering with meaning or expression of the author. I have also added several new features and brought the list of varieties down to date. In handling the different vari- eties, I have not deemed it necessary or advisable to go into details regarding feeding, care, etc., of each separate variety. The advice given in the chapter on Steel Grey Flemish is appli- cable to all of the giant varieties, likewise that on Belgian Hares to most of the smaller and fancy varieties. From the whole, the breeder can make an intelligent application for any of the various breeds. In conclusion, I wish to state that while the point valuations of each variety given herein have been corrected according to the latest official Standards, we have not deemed it necessary or advisable to change the word descriptions from the original ver- sion in former editions, which, though issued prior to the latest official Standards, are identical in meaning with the latter, al- though with different word arrangements. This work is intended as a guide for breeders, and not as a treatise on judging. Those aspiring to become judges, as well as all breeders and fanciers interested in that line of the work, should purchase a copy of the Official Standards. However, judges and experienced breeders, as well as the novice, will, I believe, find in this work much of interest and real benefit. If my humble efforts in preparing this, the third edition of “RABBIT CULTURE,” meet the approval of breeders and fan- ciers generally, I shall indeed feel highly honored and amply repaid for my labors. 5 C. R. DEARDORFF | ber North Judson, Ind., June 7, 1918 1 Rabbit Culture By W. F. Roth and Chas. T. Cornman Revised by C. R. Deardorff The Fancy REEDING domestic rabbits is accomplished for two pur- B poses—that of Fancy and Utility. For Fancy, implies breeding to requirements that have been formulated in accord with certain ideals, termed Standard; for Utility, means rearing them for market meat, and whatever commer- cial use can be made out of the fur and skin. I will refer to each separately. Careful search has failed to identify the term Fancy with that of rearing animals, nor that of fancier, unless a “cant name for sporting characters” can be so construed. The definition of the word Fancy is “to imagine”; to “form in one’s mind an ideal” of a thing “which appeals to one’s liking.” Another definition is “the faculty by which the mind forms images or representations of things at pleasure;” and still another “taste, conception.” Last and perhaps as near correct as any, makes it imply to like, to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appear- onces. These definitions, it seems to me, are singularly applicable to the pact of folk who make it their object to rear animate creat- ures so they conform with certain pre-conceived ideals whose chief points are beauty, grace, usefulness, and harmonious blend- ing of physical characteristics into a being as near perfect as the imagination can conceive. This, to my mind, is a technical Fancy, and it is not difficult to appreciate how interesting, at- tractive, and profitable it can be made. A Fancy, too, does not stop at mere admiration, or liking, as I fear many follow it. One can own and admire a creature, and yet not be a fancier; for a Fancy, as the above definition em- bodies, means development, advancement, and persistent effort toward an objective point along defined lines. A life-time of useful application can be vouchsafed in it as reflected by the beneficial results to mankind from the efforts of pioneers in its various branches—the horse, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, the dog and cat, many handsome breeds of fowls, and just as beautiful and useful for Fancy and food, the Belgian Hare, the Flemish 12 Giant, the New Zealand Red, and other valuable but perhaps less well known varieties of the commercial rabbit, as well as the smaller and more strictly “fancy” varieties. In all these depart- ments the Fancy has assumed such merit that the Department of Agriculture recognized the necessity for assisting by the organization of experiment stations for advanced study of the different features embodied in it. Heretofore, the commercial rabbit and fancy rabbit has not received recognition from a Government departmental source, but I am sure this cannot remain so much longer; for once the commercial value of the rabbit is intelligently appreciated, recognition as a national industry must follow. Progress in this direction lies with the Fancy, and it is this body that must make the Utility subservient to it, with the fact before mind that no creature can be too beautiful and physically perfect for food purposes. A Fancier To be a fancier, is to interest one’s self in the principles em- bodied under the term Fancy and as a breeder, aim at their con- summation so far as possible. A fancier must needs be a breed- er, but a breeder is not always a fancier. To be a true fancier does not merely imply the liking of a certain classified animate being known as breed, strain, or type of animal or fowl, but as _already intimated, the knowledge of an ideal toward which the liking inclines to an extent that scientific effort is exercised in its ‘growth for perfect attainment. This implies, too, a reasonable information on structural tissue; of the laws of pro-generation with regard to merits and defects that are influenced by her- edity; and of physical characteristics that eeety the variety in question. To apply one’s self as a , fancier can be made an object of the highest merit in that the exercise of personal qualifications which stand for honor, honesty and business integrity can be placed on a par with all other occupations that call for man’s noblest principles. The Need for a Fancy With regard to rearing rabbits as a matter of Fancy, its beauty and wisdom as a chosen hobby, cannot be questioned. In several foreign countries, notably England, the breeding of pet stock has become as much an industry of importance as that of breeding thoroughbred stock of larger animals for domestic use. For its production they enter into it with as much care as that required for a first class specimen race horse, dairy cow, canine or fowl. The science to successfully produce any one of the 13 many varieties of commercial or fancy rabbits to their present perfection is as intricate and interesting in detail as for the above and has advocates by way of membership of men and women who stand in the forefront of educational, social and professional station. Fancy rabbits are particularly attractive in many ways. They are docile, useful, and exceptionally beautiful; while asa feature for relaxation from more weighty responsibilities no finer field is open for genuine pleasure. They are singularly appreciative of intelligent attention, and since their growth is rather quick, one’s pleasure in seeing the fruits of one’s efforts is sooner realized than in many creat- ures of other fancies. By way of unalloyed sportmanship no Fancy brings more real satisfaction than that derived from the numerous shows for friendly competition, where often the specimens are bred so keenly to the edge of uniform quality as to almost make a judge look three ways at once. And it pays for when choice winners of any of the varieties, fetch as high as anywhere from $25 to $125, and win a trophy worth $50 besides, one need not wonder why such a Fancy attracts good people to membership. I know fanciers who annually have an income from $200 to $1,000 from the sale of specimens for breeding only; and in this country prices are not one-half that secured for winning speci- mens in England. That this is so, is entirely the fault of the Fancy here, and on the whole our stock is just as good as theirs— in many respects better in the matter of health and stamina. The reader will pardon this personal introduction, but I have often been asked by frequent visitors to my rabbitry “What prices do you obtain for the general run of breeding specimens ?” “From $5 to $25 per specimen I have heretofore considered reas- onable” is my reply. To show an approximate average, I will state that for 27 there was remitted $222. That a Fancy can be made a nicely profitable feature is fur- ther qualified when I say, that the actual cost to rear a Belgian Hare or any variety of similar size and habits to maturity need not exceed 80 cents for a year’s teeding when all foodstuffs have to be bought. Under many conditions the expense can be reduced to half this, so when one can secure stock of superior merit for such a limited outlay, and realize from $5 to $50 per specimen, such a Fancy commands more than passing notice. A well informed fancier and author has this to say: “As a Fancy the Belgian Hare and fancy rabbit has few rivals which 14 can claim such concentrated advantages, for, apart from the fact that each section of society is represented in its rank as exhibi- tors, the world-wide popularity of rabbits as an article of food and commerce grows by leaps and bounds annually.” I look forward with the consciousness, that what has become in a num- ber of densely populated foreign countries a Fancy and Industry of inestimable value to them in various ways, will not be long distant here. 3 The Rabbit as a Species The rabbit is indigenous to virtually every part of Europe and America. Australia has also a species of rabbit somewhat akin in type and habits to the American “Jack.” The rabbit is a species of quadruped separate from that of the hare, nor will the two species “mix,” as many suppose, un- less in very exceptional instances. It appears, also that to what- ever country the rabbit is indigenous, it has characteristics that differentiate from its brother of the same species in another; either larger or smaller, or of varied color markings. The same holds true of the hare in its native heath. The rabbit is of the species lepus cuniculus, and the hare lepus timidus, though both belong to the family rodentiae—a creature with long, rat-like front gnawing teeth. Originally the rabbit was introduced into Europe from Africa, is the prevailing opinion among zoologists, and most likely what is now Spain; from thence into Brittany, and eventually over all Europe. How long since, or rather, in which of the earlier centuries this trans- pired is not definitely known. In its gregarius habits the rabbit also differs widely from those of the hare, and in the wild state is said to be monoga- mous. This latter trait, however, ceases with domestication, and either sex becomes altogether polygamous. It also differs from the hare in that its young are born immature, with eyes closed and the body nude of hair, in a nest lined with fur pulled from the mother burrowed in the ground whenever possible; while those of the former (hare) are born with eyes open, and body nicely covered, in a “form” on top of the ground. The fertility of the rabbit is also proverbial, a litter contain- ing anywhere from 4 to 12, while the female hare rarely brings forth more than 2 and seldom as many as 4. An old English name for the rabbit is cony, and its cogno- men in many others is similar to this, as Latin cuniculus, Italian coniglio, German kaninchen, and Welsh owningen; but the rabbit is not the cony of Scripture. 15 Each country, and in America, each state has laws which at this time regulate the destruction to which it may be subjected as game; but this point is not essential here. For domestic purposes the rabbit has been bred to many varieties, and virtually so from early times. As a dainty morsel it has graced the table of ancient monarch and his humblest peasant down the ages until now, so that as an article of food and commerce it is recognized the world over. The actual consumption of rabbit as a food is not totally known from available statistics right now, but England alone uses upwards of 25,000,000 pounds annually and in France, Ger- many, and Austria, as well as Belgium and Holland, it is, as — already remarked, largely the food of their peasant class. What is known as the “Famous Ostend Rabbit” is merely a specially reared Belgian for culinary purposes, and occupies much the same position with epicures that the Canvass Back duck does in this country. England has received her supply hitherto almost entirely from the colonies, notably Australia, where it was so abundant as to make wholesale destruction an absolute necessity because of menace to crops and fruit trees. I am informed quite recently however, that the Australian species is in some danger of extermination, for it is not alone for food that its use extended; in fact, at first it was not used for this purpose at all, but for fur very extensively utilized by hat manufacturers. Because of this, indiscriminate slaughter was executed so that now I am told by one of the largest hat makers,in the world that fur from this source has fallen off in supply nearly 40 per cent. and price con- sequently advanced in the same ratio. This same hat maker was greatly concerned, and advanced the suggestion that it would become an absolute necessity to rear fur rabbits in large num- bers for both hat and leather uses, as well as the more inexpen- sive furs for wear. In fact, large quantities of skins are already utilized for the latter purpose, which would seem to suggest a field for unusual profit when managed with a view to producing a specially grown article of superior “wool” merit and wearing qualities. I am convinced that this can be done. 16 Domestic Rabbits Many varieties of rabbits have been “made” by domestic breeding, and here follow the more prominently recognized by fanciers: Fiemish Giant, Belgian Hare, New Zealand, American Spotted, Lop, Dutch, Angora, Himalayan, Polish, English, the Silver in Grey, Fawn, Blue and Brown; the Tan in Black, and Blue; the Havana, Imperial, and Selfs. (The latest “acquisition” to this list—the Siberian Hare—has been proven a fraud and nothing more or less than a strain of Black Flemish Giants.) The English Lop Ear The Lop As a fancy variety, the Lop has made itself decidedly pop- ‘ular, and while perhaps not so much so in this country as in England and Germany, it has, withal, many admirers. Its prin- cipal characteristics is the large ears for which it is noted, and ‘Specimens of enormous proportions have been produced in recent ‘years. Instances are recorded with an earage of 27% by 7%, ‘and a weight of 12 pounds. Because of this immense earage, ‘however, its breeding for purposes other than Fancy is not so desirable as that of less bothersome varieties. Ears For show purposes the Lop has two classifications—one for entries of classified length, and the other for any length. For the former, classification usually exceeds 24 inches, to any pos- sible limit beyond this; while in the latter no specification is _ made, and these specimens are judged perhaps more for univer- sal quality than earage alone. Measurement of the ears is taken from one extremity across the head to the other, and the width of one ear must be at least one-quarter of the total; that is, if the earage is 24 inches, the width of one ear must be six inches. There is also a characteristic pendancy to the ears when in natural sitting pose that must be looked for in well bred lops, which is due to a correct juncture of their roots with the cran- ium. This is an important point, and means that an ideal speci- 17 men has the contour of head over its highest portion where it joins the first (cervical) bone of the neck so adjusted as to com- pel the ears to suspend uniform, and gracefully curved around their convex distension, without collapsing appreciably in any place except where touching the floor. Pose and Shape When the head is posed as just described, it gives position to the animal throughout, a point that qualifies for Standard merit. This will naturally approximate the fore legs beside each other from elbow to toes, so they are evenly paired under the rounded breast, and not much more than foot-length visibie; neck rather sharply curved so as to start the back-curve from shoulder junction in a uniform, almost half circle, free from pro- jections, to the root of the tail—“in the buck rather straighter in saddle outline.” The hind legs are uniformly straight by the side of the body, toes not pointing away nor toward it, and flat on the floor from knee-joint forward, altogether “humping” the body between two strongly outlined shanks so as to make it appear almost balanced in- the middle of them. Color Unlike the Belgian and several other varieties, Lops are bred to no specific color, unless solid blacks can be so identified. They are represented in sooty, fawn, white, grey, yellow, or modified buff, blue and self; or in broken colors of yellow-and- white, grey-and-white, blue-and-white, or black-and-white. In the distribution of these colors, there should be some appreciable regularity in that they are not to smear into one an- other, while “the saddle should be entirely self, the markings breaking at the shoulders.” Butterfly The head “has a star or blaze on the forehead; but its chiefly marked feature is the butterfly, a marking which, while it leaves the nose with no trace of white, is broken on the outline, resemb- ling this beautiful insect.” This singular resemblance is physically due to the character- istic anatomy of a Lop head—the rounded, lateral-and-forward convex nose; conspicious eye brows, and rather broad appearing forehead formed by the root of the ears. All these points enter into classic breeding of this variety. Eyes There is nothing special about the eye of a Lop other than it should be sound and attentive. But I will add, there belongs 18 ENGLISH LOP—Showing a wonderful breadth of earage. coe “IBq JO Ypvsig pues YsueT 9y} o}0u ‘reuUTM oZ11d Y—GOT ALIHM GNV MOVIE yet something that makes it decidedly characteristic of this variety of fancy rabbit. The inordinate size of those pendant ears demand an anatomical adjustment of muscle and cartilage about the cranium that creates more or.less corrugation around the eyes, which causes a singular droll expression quite typical of the Lop. It is an appearance of earnest effort to keep the eyes open in spite of those large ears. Tail Must be perfectly straight and “carried well up the body, without any suspicion of a twist.” To carry the tail side-wise does not imply a twist in it, nor is it necessarily a disqualification when the specimen is otherwise meritorious. Breeding As remarked, the object of breeding Lops is virtually alone for their earage, and there has been considerable contention among fanciers just where success comes from—correct strain, or correct attention. Arguments of intense warmth with no small acrimony have been freely exchanged on this point, but I am reasonably certain that if the strain is not endowed with inher- ent propensity to procreate well developed ears, there is small chance for meritorious success. The matter of artificial heat will, without doubt, also accent- uate growth of ear; and when natural weather temperature is. below 70 degrees within the quarters, becomes a necessity, not- withstanding all arguments to the contrary. One prominent English authority insists that it is impossible to produce earage beyond 24 inches without artificial heat, but we must bear in mind ‘that there is a marked difference in climate between our country and that of England, and that warm days are not so many there as with us. That artificial heat is extensively used by European fanciers is a fact, but _ whether it is a judicious procedure for the welfare of the breed is a question. For the mere purpose of Fancy and general admiration, one can derive virtually as much pleasure from the “any length” class—say, 20 to 25 inch earage—as for extra length. The latter is largely a fad. | With regard to mating, care, feed and general attention, the breeding of Lops does not differ essentially from that of other varieties, other than added care for the ears, which persistently hang on the floor. For this particular it is necessary that the quarters be kept elean continually, and the floor well covered airs Pal with clean bedding of sawdust and chaff, straw, or hay. A dirty floor will soon bring on disease of the ears, and once this takes hold in a flock there is no end of trouble. Littering For obvious reasons, it is not desirable that nest boxes are given the expectant mother doe. If the general habits of a Lop are considered, along with the preponderant ears, it will be plain that the more room a doe has, the better able will she be to care for the young. All she requires, therefore, is sufficient material with which to build a comfortable nest in one corner of her coop, along with the wool she will take from the body to line it. After kindling, see that no dead ones are among the litter, and for reasons of success, reduce the latter to no more than four. I would suggest a foster mother rather than destroying them, particularly so when one has a reliable strain for ear- age; for it often happens that those from which the least is expected turn out best in the end. It is simply astonishing with what rapidity the ears of a young Lop will push for length. An old fancier who has bred this interesting variety for many years informed me that if the quality of a specimen is not apparent by length of ear in 10 weeks from birth, there is small purpose in bothering further with it. He tells me that he has often measured the ears of a youngster on an evening, and by the following morning there was an additional two inches in length. One would scarcely believe this possible but I have not the least reason for doubting this fancier’s word. This qualification implies, that an earage upwards of 20 and 22 inches must show at the end of 10 weeks, and that further length is very limited. I have often seen it in print that many practice “pulling the ears” to accentuate length, and on the other hand the accusation was also denied. Whether true or not, this practice should be condemned—with punishment, if necessary. Standard for Lops There are now two standards by which this variety is judged —for the Limit Classes, and Any Length Classes. The former has special significance for earage while the latter considers the specimens as a whole, 22 Limit Classes:— Poirts War Tenant Me Se 2 15 AT eer y Miclitala heres ee SE BE OE at 15 Substance and shape of ears .......... 5 Shape and carria@e, cei). kk celine oe 10 Coloriand: marking sie. iy.) eederiee os Lateaies 15 Conditioner PAge ets ane Tt Shine, 10 Straighteteetsands tailtie.tnk. a ah ok ies 10 BUY Cit at ae of er cigs eae uf Eas wha ye SR ee Pe ae 10 PSY Z/(SMNC Pa Wad a NUL RA a PO Sate ga 10 100 Any Length:— BA LCE CM Seana es oe Sain cise aries tas 25 Hewitt I hs ees he co ee alavers 20 Substance and shape of ears .......... 10 Siealont feeb ana tale st ee ee ee see 10° Color°and marines 62 ot Soe 10 Condirione, 5%, sn aes ees ooo 10 Sapa) ee CSN ee pias ence og ane EGE D | UNL aY ea cae Re SES AR SPE A gis 1 Smee BR ar Gi 5 SIZE a, OA on eae Ge sla ne ee 5 100 French Lop The French Lop is similar to the English, as described above, but is smaller in body and with smallers ears. They are judged by the same Standard as the ‘‘Any Length” class in the English variety. : Disqualifications—Permanent wry tail or feet. . Dutch By’ many this is claimed as the handsomest variety of all domestic rabbits, and with considerable justification. The Dutch is not as popular in this country as in England and Germany, though it is making friends fast. There is about this variety a certain fascination that ought appeal in particular to fanciers with a critical eye, for its-color markings are such as to make a scientific breeding an absolute necessity. 23 It has been said that Dutch are “hard to raise,” but why more so than other varieties has not been made clear, to my satisfaction at least. Were such the case, it is likely the trouble lies with the breeder rather than in the breed. The Dutch is not a large rabbit compared with domestic rabbits in general. Standard qualifications want it compara- tively small; so if there is any lack of stamina in the breed, it is possibly owing to a persistent effort at keeping down weight, accentuated also, by close in-breeding. Color Color markings of this variety are characteristic and very pronounced, one color being always white, and the other either — black, blue, tortoise-shell, or a type of steel grey. The solid colors must be typical of the parts they cover, and distinctly separated from the white. Neither shall smear into the other and both must be entirely free from foreign hairs. Fancy value of a specimen depends altogether on the perfect markings thus characterized. White must be the markings of shoulders, fore legs and feet, under jaw and nose upward to between the ears, forming a dis- tinct blaze. About two inches of the hind legs from toes upward is also white. Solid color covers the saddle from short ribs back all but the hind feet, and its junction with the white must be as clean cut a line of demarkation “like a string about the waist.” Both sides of the face, jowls and ears, are of the same solid color, just as evenly separated from the white. Breeding . The biggest contention associated with breeding this variety lies in persistently keeping down size, and maintaining solidity for the two color markings. Owing to a lack of enthu- siasm and interest in the breed for a time, these points became seriously defective, but renewed life in the Fancy has in the past eight years largely overcome this trouble, and if present devotion is any criterion, it will not be long until the variety will again come to its own in the family of admired pets. Tc breed high quality Dutch there is but one road to real success—that of establishing a reliable strain. Start right, and the battle is near half won in the knowledge of personal results that relate to points of merit or demerit. The greatest contention is to overcome a propensity for foreign hairs and splotches in solid markings, notably on the sides and flanks; specks in the eyes, or distinct discoloration; and white inside the ears. 24 bine. Me. SIOE OF SADDLE EYE CHEEK MARKINGS \) NOSTRILS —_-¥