.MANA;I-:.MK.\T <i' .MAKKKT KAHKITS. 15 



cars. Thru stretch out the rabbit and with force, at the same time bonding back 

 the head. Done exp-ditioiisly and properly, the animal will he de.-id instantaneously 

 and with a minimum of suffering. Another method of killing is to bang the rahbit 

 by the hind legs from the left hand, and to give a smart blow behind the ears with 

 the right, either with the edge of the hand itself or with a short, stout stick; the 

 last named is the better and least tiring way when a number of rabbits have to be 

 killed. As by either of these methods of killing a certain amount of clotted blood 

 is collected in the neck of the rabbit, which to some extent spoils the appearance of 

 a skinned rabbit, rabbits when killed are frequently bled, more particularly if they 

 are to be marketed skinned. For this purpose it is usual to first stun the rabbit by 

 a smart tap behind the ears with a suitable stick, for which purpose the animal jnay 

 be held head downwards, as already described, or merely allowed to rest on the 

 ground, or upon a table or box, while the ears are held a little forward with the 



Illustration shows usual method of dressing carcass. 



left hand. Done properly, the rabbit will fall over senseless as soon as struck. 

 Without delay it should now be hi id on its side upon a box or l,w table, and the 

 Made of a sharp-pointed "sticking" knife passed through its neck immediately 

 behind the ears, in such a way that the blade passes right through from one side 

 to the other. Blood will immediately tlow freely, and the rabbit should be held over 

 a bucket, head down, until the bleeding has ceased. This method of killing is a 

 little troublesome, and certainly somewhat unpleasant, although doubtless ns 

 merciful to the animal as any other method. As the only benefit gained is in the 

 appearance of a skinned can-ass, it can. however, only be recommended for rabbits 

 so marketed. Table rabbits sold with the skin on are rather spoiled in appearance 

 than otherwise, as the necks and heads of the carcasses are always more or less 

 stained with blood. As it is sometimes urged in favour of bleeding that when a 

 number of rabbits are killed the blood is useful for pigs or poultry, it may be 



