292 



AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL, 



May 10, 1900. 



few bees that chance to g'o out for forage when the weather 

 is unpropitious, but from the result of poor wintering', where 

 the vitality of the old bees is worn out, so that they go out 

 of the hive to die, and not for forage. A real case of spring 

 dwindling can not be remedied by keeping the bees in the 

 hive, for they would die in the hive just the same as tho 

 they were allowed their liberty. At least this is the conclu- 

 sion I have arrived at after a careful watch along these 

 lines for more than a score of j'ears. 



The remedj' for spring dwindling is successful winter- 

 ing. Onondaga Co., N. Y. 



Belg'ian Hares and Bees— A New Combination. 



BY PROF. A.. J. COOK. 



THE Belgian hare industry has attained marvelous pro- 

 portions in an exceedingly short time in Southern Cali- 

 fornia. Our own countj' of Los Angeles is the center, 

 the city of Los Angeles being the focus. For a new busi- 

 ness to gain standing so quickly argues that it is more than 

 a fad. This fact becomes emphasized when we learn that 

 some of our most clear-headed business men are engaged in 

 this Belgian hare propagation. One of the best business 

 men I know in Southern California belongs to a firm that 

 is said to have invested $25,000 in this new industry. 



The Belgian hare, like the shorthorn cow, has been so 

 carefully bred that its habits are very much modified. Its 

 growth and vigor is something remarkable, its prolificness 

 is exceedingl}' great,and it is so neat that it can be bred and 

 cared for in the small compass of a drj'-goods box and yet 

 retain its vigor, health, and fecundity. 



It has often been askt if there is not danger in introduc- 

 ing this new comer into our State and country. May we 

 not repeat the experience of Australia in importing the 

 European hare into that countrj' ? The law first suggested 

 by Darwin — that introduced species are always likely 

 to manifest greater vigor and prolificness than is shown by 

 the native, closely allied species — should always make us 

 wary to contemplate any such enterprise. As I have stated 

 in our public meetings, where this matter has been under 

 discussion, I do not think the danger need be feared in the 

 case of the Belgian hare. Like the shorthorn, the Belgian 

 hare is bulky, fat and log)'. This rabbit, therefore, while 

 admirable for feeding and breeding, would be illy adapted 

 to succeed in the struggle of life out on the plain or in the 

 bush. I think in such a case the excellence of his flesh 

 would soon be tested by dog or hound rather than by human 

 epicure. I have never seen the Belgian hare on the race- 

 track, but from viewing him from the show-box or rab- 

 bitries so common in this region, it has never seemed to 

 me that he could be any match at all to the cotton-tail or 

 jack-rabbit. This latter has a hard enough time in its 

 struggle against dog, coyote, and the hunter. I greatly 

 doubt if the Belgian hare could exist at all. 



We know that the care and domestication of the silk- 

 moth by man has made it so dependent upon him for its 

 food and protection that were we to cease rearing silk-moths 

 for one year, it would cease to exist. In developing the 

 splendid insect with an eye single to silk-production, we 

 have utterly destroyed its ability to care for itself. I think 

 the Belgian hare is, like the silk-moth, only to a less de- 

 gree, less qualified to fight its own battles. I believe run- 

 ning wild and extermination would go together. Another 

 reason whj' this danger would be minimized comes in the 

 very value of these animals. Like the lost coin, the whole 

 country would be swept and garnisht to find a single miss- 

 ing rabbit. Therefore, I do not believe we need to fear the 

 introduction of this valuable animal into our State and 

 country. 



I have alluded to the great value of these animals. I 

 have heard of cases where S250 or S300 have been paid for a 

 single male. Of course, this shows that great pains has 

 been taken to develop these animals in the way of prolificness 

 and meat-production. 



WHY IS THE BELGIAN HAKE SO VALUABLE ? 



There are several points in this business which will aid 

 to foster its rapid development. The Belgian hare puts its 

 entire energy into growth and reproduction. Thus it exer- 

 cises very little, and a large number of rabbits can be kept 

 in a small space. I know of a rabbitry of over 100 individ- 

 uals kept wholly in dry-goods boxes. These rest on a plat- 

 form about three feet from the ground. The whole space 

 occupied by the rabbits is less than three rods square. Thus 

 the man in the city is not precluded from engaging in this 

 business. 



Again, the animals are so neat that ill-health is hardly 

 likely to interfere with success. I have heard of only one 

 case where any one has had any loss from disease. In this 

 case there was a sore lack of knowledge of the business. I 

 think it is as safe as anything in which one can engage. 



Again, the cost of keeping rabbits is very light indeed. 

 A friend of mine, who is a very careful man, estimates that 

 when haj' is S9.00 a ton, two cents per month will keep a 

 full-grown rabbit. It is said that alfalfa hay alone, dry 

 and green, will do for food. It is probable, however, that 

 they might do better with a greater variety. 



It follows from the above that it will cost very little to 

 produce meat. Another friend said to me a few days since, 

 "I can produce the meat at a good profit if I can get nine 

 cents a pound." When we remember that it sells readilj' 

 now for 20 cents a pound, we understand why the business 

 is so profitable. The excellence of the meat is also a sub- 

 stantial argument in favor of the industry. Even epicures 

 smack their lips in rehearsing the excellencies of the rabbit 

 for table use. We had these on out table more or less for a 

 week with very little intermission, and we all pronounced 

 the meat first-class in quality, even to the last meal. 



THE FUTURE OF THE BELGIAN HARE INDUSTRY. 



It is often askt, " Will not the excitement soon pass by, 

 and the rabbits fail to pay expenses ?" When we remem- 

 ber the millions of mouths to be fed, the appetizing charac- 

 ter of the meat, and the cheapness at which it can be pro- 

 duced, I doubt if we need fear that it will be soon overdone. 

 Many prefer the rabbit to chicken, and 12 to 15 cents a 

 pound is paid . for chicken pretty generally thruout the 

 country. 



BEES AND RABBITS. 



One disadvantage that the bee-keeper labors under 

 comes from the fact of ofl" years. One ofi" j'ear is frequent, 

 two off years in succession not uncommon, and he is a lucky 

 apiarist who has not had more than once three successive 

 off years. 



Again, the bee-industry does not claim the whole time 

 of the bee-keeper all the year, and he may well add another 

 string to his industrial bow. Poultry-keeping has often 

 served admirably for this extra string. I believe the Bel- 

 gian hare will even eclipse the hen in this desired comrade- 

 ship. I have a neighbor who lives between here and the 

 foothills. He has a large apiary which has only been an 

 expense now for over two years. I frequently pass by his 

 place on my way to the canj'ons. As I have seen his brood 

 of children — a very large one, by the way — I have felt pity 

 for the household, despite the fine flock of chickens which 

 adorn the home yard. I feel less pity now, as the gentle- 

 man told me the other day that he had made over S600 clear 

 in Belgian hares during the last year. I am thus led to say : 

 "All success to a co-partnership between bees and the Belgian 

 hare." Los Angeles Co., Calif. 



Dots by the Apicultural Wayside. 



Head at the Wisamsm ( 'onveniion, held at Jladison, Feb. 7 and 8. 1900. 

 BY JACOB HUFFMAN. 



THIS subject embraces so much, and presents so many 

 topics, that I am at a loss to know what points to select 

 that would prove the most beneficial. The magnitude 

 of scientific apiculture would occupy a natural lifetime. 

 Were we to go back no further than the last century, and 

 show the wonderful developments made in this one branch, 

 its profits, incomes, and the immense increase of colonies, 

 the revenue that it brings to this country, it would by far 

 excel any other rural branch in point of profit from the 

 capital invested. 



The historj' and working of the honey-bee are wonder- 

 ful indeed, afl'ording man a great and beautiful study, as 

 well as a good income for the time and labor given. From 

 historical facts we are led to believe that the honey-bee has 

 been a companion of man from the earliest civilization. 

 Scientists have given this one subject deep thought ; they 

 have been able to trace the little busy bee far back in the 

 dim dawnings of history, and unlike many other things no 

 change has been made in the bee itself — it works without 

 rules, plumbs or guides, but the habits, dispositions and in- 

 stinct of the bee have been studied by man. The great re- 

 searches must be attributed to man. The bee, ever un- 

 changeable only by constant handling, becomes more sub- 

 missive. 



Science has also demonstrated some of the wonderful 



