THE BLACK AND TAN RABBIT 51 



In this, as in all fancy stock, if a breeder desires to be 

 able to sell specimens, he must exhibit and win prizes, 

 or he will not be able to get remunerative prices ; but it is 

 better to breed from does after they have won a few good 

 prizes, if possible mating them also to prize-winning bucks, 

 than to attempt to show and breed from the same does. 



By this the does will not have the strain of the 

 excitement and fatigue attending exhibition life, and be 

 more likely to keep in form. 



I do not know of anything specially to be said about 

 their feeding, except that it should be sound and 

 nourishing, with plenty of green food during the summer 

 months, but never given at all wet, or with even the dew 

 on it. 



They are fairly hardy in constitution as a rule, but 

 not a variety I consider suited to outdoor hutches, and all 

 draughts or cold air should be avoided. They are active 

 in their habits, and it will be all the better, if convenient, 

 to give them plenty of room for exercise ; it is better to 

 separate the sexes, and keep them away from each other 

 before attaining six months, and not to use either sex for 

 breeding until seven or eight months old, especially does. 



I think I have said enough in a general way about this 

 variety, and will now mention what are the main points 

 to be aimed at for exhibition stock, and give a standard 

 for an ideal specimen. 



The colour of the body should be pure glossy black, 

 or darkish slate blue, as the case may be, on back, top of 

 head, face and ears (which should be short and small) ; 

 there should be a triangular-shaped mark, like the letter 



