DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 43 



the period of gestation is only thirty dnys, aud five litters may be 

 raised in a year. The number of yonng is said to vary from 4 to 12, 

 or even more, and at 3 months of age a hare may be made to dress 3 

 pounds, at a cost of about 5 cents per pound, while the meat brings 

 15 to 20 cents per pound in market. The weight of a full-grown Bel- 

 gian hare, according to the American standard of excellence, is about 

 S pounds, and that of a heavy-weight Belgian or Flemish giant is 11 

 pounds. 



Recently the demand for Ijreeding stock has been so great that it 

 pays much better to raise hares for this purpose than for meat. Young 

 animals less than G months of age have been sold at prices ranging 

 from $100 to 1300 apiece. As much as $400 has been paid for an 

 imported Belgian hare, and prize winners are held by their owners at 

 fabulous prices. It is of course impossible to say how long such high 

 figures will be maintained, but those who embark in the business with 

 the expectation of realizing exorbitant prices will probably be doomed 

 to disappointment. 



As long as the animals are kept in captivity and raised chiefly in 

 towns and cities, either for food or breeding stock, the industry is 

 worthy only of commendation, but recent developments in California 

 seem to show that there is an element of danger in the breeding 

 which should not be overlooked, especially in view of the unfortunate 

 experience which the State has already had with its native jack rab- 

 bits. As the animals increase in numbers some are sure to escape 

 and others are turned loose, either by owners who have lost interest 

 in their pets or those who attempt to raise hares on a large scale with- 

 out taking the necessary precaution to keep them securely. This has 

 already occurred, and, according to a recent estimate of the State 

 board of horticulture of California, several thousand Belgian, hares 

 are already at large in the State. Should they succeed in maintaining 

 themselv^es in a wild condition, and increase as readil}' as they do in 

 captivity, they would undoubtedly become a source of danger. In a 

 State whose agricultural and horticultural interests are as impoi'tant 

 as those of California, the losses which might result if the Belgian 

 hare should become a pest would more than offset the advantages of 

 the animal as a meat producer, and strict legislative measures might 

 become necessary to keep it under control. Still more dangerous 

 would such a condition be in Porto Rico, from which inquiries have 

 also been received concerning the hare, and where it would perhaps 

 be welcome as a new and much needed source of meat supply. It is 

 still uncertain whether it will thrive in a tropical climate, but should 

 it escape from captivity, as it would be almost sure to do, and 

 once gain a foothold in the island, it would undoubtedly become a 

 far greater pest than it ever could in California. Until more is known 

 of the habits of the animal when liberated, there is certainly grave 

 danger in introducing it into Porto Rico, where native carnivorous 

 mammals and other natural enemies which might hold it in check 

 are almost entirelj^ wanting. 



SKUNK FARMING. 



Early last September an article appeared in one of the leading 

 papers, purporting to be based on information obtained from this 

 Department, setting forth in glowing terms the profits which could be 

 realized by raising skunks for fur. This article was unauthorized 

 aud very misleading, but no notice was taken of it officially, in the 



