322 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. xvt. 



CHAPTER XVI. I 



I 



Rabbits : propagation and produce of, in a wild and do- I 

 mestic state — Breeds — Hutches — Warrens — Feeding — i 

 Expense and profit — Long-eared breeds — Diseases. , 



Rabbits are not only kept in a domestic state i 

 for the consumption of the table, but are also <; 

 largely bred wild, as live-stock, in some ex- 

 tensive warrens, which are still maintained j 

 in those sandy districts of comparatively ' 

 worthless land which run through some of 

 our counties ; the chief value of the animal , 

 being there its fur, which is extensively used ' 

 in the manufacture of hats, and if white, for i 

 the lining of cloaks. j 



Whether wild or tame, they are at six ! 

 months old fit to propagate, and will con- ' 

 tinue to breed for seven or eight years ; 

 being also so prolific, that the "doe" — as the 

 female is called — will breed as many as 

 five or six times in the year, and produce 

 from five to eight young ones at each birth. 

 Six is, however, as many as she can pro 



