SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK 161 
in the show room is the best sire or dam in the 
whole field. 
Why? Largely because the ability to repro- 
duce its own kind is lodged in different degree 
in different individuals. All live stock breeders 
recognize this truth and can cite instances from 
their own experience to prove it. The point 
is that the individual cannot always be judged 
correctly in advance or from his show record. 
Rather than pay so much attention to show 
records it is better to find an animal which has 
a record to producing a number of prize- 
winners. This animal may not be a winner 
himself, but he is the kind of a fellow to use 
in breeding, just the same. 
The breeding age of rabbits varies some- 
what according to the breed. New Zealand 
Reds can be bred at seven to eight months. 
The same applies to Belgian hares and also 
to Flemish Giants. The Giants, however, had 
better not be bred until eight months or older. 
Some people make the mistake of breeding 
their stock when too young. This cuts down 
