CHAPTER V. 

 THE MAINTENANCE OF UTILITY RABBITS. 



This chapter Is presented to the rabbit breeders by Mr. M. L. 

 Thayer of Los Angeles, California, who is recognized as America's 

 greatest student and authority on the commercial practicability of 

 the rabbit industry. 



THE merits of rabbits, in response to the in- 

 creasing demand for satisfactory meat readily- 

 obtainable, have become well recognized. The 

 certainty that rabbit meat will shortly become 

 a staple product demands the application of more 

 advanced methods in the manner of its pro- 

 duction. Suggestive of the possibilities awaiting 

 future development, this chapter is provided by the 

 author with an acknowledgment that this offer- 

 ing is but elementary and incomplete, in view of the 

 dignity of the subject, and the evidence thereof which 

 deeper study will later on provide. The author will 

 be grateful indeed if this chapter serves to stimulate 

 students of the Meat Rabbit Industry to the produc- 

 tion of more advanced presentations of this important 

 subject. 



The primary subjects to which the general prin- 

 ciples apply, we will assume to be as follows : 



1. The variety of stock. 



2. The type of hutches. 



3. The aims and methods of correct breeding. 



4. The selection and application of feeds. 



5. The records of procedure, affording exact 

 knowledge of results. 



On the first two subjects, much of importance 

 has been decided and the requirements of those un- 

 dertaking the industry may be satisfied by such in- 



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