168 WINTER RABBITS PRODUCE THE BUCK. 



weighty one, in the fact, that some, or most females, 

 never devour their young, under whatever circum- 

 stances of privation. The doe will, as I have expe- 

 rienced, sometimes commit the act from resentment 

 at having her bed and young disturbed and pryed 

 into ; and will then wantonly tear her bed in pieces, 

 and scatter the fragments about her hut. 



With due attention to keeping them warm and 

 comfortable, and guarding against any sudden im- 

 pression from cold, and more particularly moist air, 

 and with the aid of the best and most nourishing 

 food, I have bred rabbits throughout the WINTER, 

 with nearly equal success as in the summer season. 

 But, in truth, their produce is so multitudinous, that 

 one might be well satisfied with four or five litters, 

 during the best part of the year, giving the doe a 

 winter fallow. Even four litters would, upon the 

 lowest calculation, produce TWENTY YOUNG ONES 

 ANNUALLY to each doe equal to an annual TWO 

 THOUSAND from a stock of ONE HUNDRED DOES. I 

 have no experience of does, as breeders, beyond the 

 FIFTH year : the BUCK will come into use at six, or 

 even four months old, and be in perfection from the 

 age of two to three years. 



FEEDING. Upon a regular plan, and with suffi- 

 cient attendance, it is better to FEED three times 

 than twice a day. The art of feeding rabbits with 

 safety and advantage is, always to give the upper 

 hand to dry and substantial food. Their nature is 

 congenial with that of the sheep, and the same kind 

 of food, with little variation, agrees with both. ALL 

 WEEDS, and the refuse of vegetation, should be ba- 



