CHAPTER XII 



THE DUTCH RABBIT 



ALTHOUGH of late years the Belgian Hare and the 

 English varities have been more " boomed," the Dutch 

 have always maintained considerable popularity, and, I 

 think, deservedly. 



Not only are they very pretty animals, and can be pro- 

 cured of many different colours, each with their supporters, 

 but they are perhaps unequalled as mothers and nurses, 

 being largely used in the latter capacity even by fanciers 

 who keep none of the variety for exhibition. 



Then they are one of the smallest of all kinds, and 

 do not take up much room, and very docile and pleasant 

 to deal with, it certainly being the exception to meet with 

 bad-tempered specimens ; but I have known one or two, 

 who were very warm members indeed, and would " go for " 

 the first hand which approached them in the show pen. 



And last, but by no means least, I do not remember 

 any variety which so soon discloses the apparent value of 

 the youngsters in a litter, as a fair judgment on this 

 subject may be formed within three days of their birth, 

 and the " wasters " removed, to the relief of the mother 

 (and subsequently of the corn and hay bill) ; and at eight 



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