20 PRACTICAL RABBIT KEEPING 



teur can confidently begin with any of the 

 breeds named. As he goes on, he probably 

 will do a little experimenting, and may find 

 that one particular kind will prove more 

 profitable than any other. There is always 

 the matter of one's market to be considered. 

 In some places very large rabbits may be 

 wanted, without much regard to quality, while 

 in others small animals may be in demand. 

 For home eating the writer's preference is for 

 Belgian hares, probably because he has had 

 more experience with them than with any 

 other kind. There seems to be some evidence, 

 though, to support the claim that New Zea- 

 land Reds are a little easier to raise. Very 

 much depends upon the strain, whatever breed 

 may be kept, just as with poultry. Some 

 breeders are able to produce very much better 

 stock than others. There has been careless 

 inbreeding with Belgian hares ; and so much 

 attention has been given to producing show 

 animals that many strains have low vitality, 

 and give considerable trouble, except in the 

 hands of experts. A good many breeders of 

 New Zealands in the Eastern States find that 

 they are especially susceptible to colds and 



