BREEDING AND CARE OF RABBITS 



stripes of deep black, they present a striking and attract- 

 ive appearance. A German fancier once described them 

 as follows : "Take a fawn colored skin, a brush, and 

 some black paint, and attempt to paint a tiger, and you 

 would have a black patch oai the shoulders, one on the 

 back, and several spots 'joined,' and resulting in a few 

 black stripes, several small and large spots, and the ears 

 looking as if the paint was sprinkled all over them. A 

 black stripe across the nose, one black eye and so on. 

 No regularity in the markings ; that is how the Jap 

 should look." 



With the markings irregular, they should appear small 

 and run into each other in smooth lines, and the colors 

 should be bright and distinct. 



They make good mothers and are matured at six 

 months, weighing about eight pounds. The fur is valu- 

 able and is used in making door mats, cushions and many 

 other useful articles. They should be kept away from 

 the rays of the sun. Their feeding, housing, hutching 

 and breeding should follow the same methods used 

 in raising Belgians, only they will stand more feed- 

 ing. Bucks and does of as near the same color as 

 possible should be used in breeding. Two colors are 

 allowed to be shown, black and fawn. Disqualifications : 

 Little or no distribution of colors. Too light or too 

 dark, faded or washed out colors, white markings ex- 

 cept the white claws. Body too long or too steep at 

 back. Bent legs or tail not straight. Ruptures and de- 

 formations on body, too small hanging ears, large bits 

 or tears in eyes. Fur rugged or defective. Disease, dirt 

 or vermin. 



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