THE BELGIAN HARE 31 



enthusiastic fanciers in that district, to obtain the best 

 specimens obtainable. The climate seems to suit them 

 admirably, and, from some statistics I have seen, the 

 results appear almost incredible. 



In 1898, a few pamphlets and newspaper articles 

 appeared, and some advertisements announced the arrival 

 of some Belgian Hares at Los Angeles, and within two 

 years afterwards, it was stated, there were no less than 

 six hundred Rabbitries there, large and small, mostly 

 carrying from fifty to seventy - five head of stock ; 

 many exceeding one hundred, some with two hundred, 

 and a few with more than a thousand each! It was 

 further stated that, without exaggeration, there were in 

 1900, the latest date of which I have obtained particulars, 

 over 60,000 Belgian Hares in South California alone, 

 and the number constantly on the increase ! 



Up to that time the development had been chiefly from 

 the fanciers' standpoint, but the merits of the variety, in 

 a utilitarian respect, were receiving more attention, with 

 reason to expect substantial commercial returns. 



" The American Association of Belgian Hare 

 Breeders " is an influential incorporated body of fanciers, 

 which has done much for the rapid growth of the fancy. 

 It held an Exposition, Mart and Feast, in Hagard's 

 Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, on 8th, 9th and loth 

 February 1900. It was perhaps the only, certainly the 

 largest, Exposition ever seen anywhere confined to one 

 variety of Rabbit. 



I understand there were seventy classes at the show 

 for Belgian Hares, with prizes varying from two and a 



