6 PRACTICAL RABBIT KEEPING 



the average beginner. There is another side, 

 however, which is called the fancy, that being 

 rather a poor name for the keeping of rabbits 

 for pleasure and for exhibition. Fanciers are 

 much more numerous than is commonly real- 

 ized, many professional and business men as 

 well as working men keeping a few fine an- 

 imals for recreation and amusement. The 

 breeds usually kept for utility purposes are 

 Belgian hares. Giant rabbits of different 

 kinds and New Zealand Reds. Fanciers, how- 

 ever, find many other breeds to choose from, 

 some of them like the Lop Eared Rabbits 

 and the Angoras requiring very careful 

 handling. Fanciers naturally charge much 

 more for their animals, if the stock is good, 

 than do breeders who confine themselves to 

 utility rabbits. An animal that can win at a 

 show is highly prized. Competition at many 

 of the shows is very keen and the greatest skill 

 must be exercised to produce winners. It is 

 a form of recreation in which great delight is 

 taken. The breeders of different kinds of rab- 

 bits have their associations and enjoy getting 

 together to talk over the ins and outs of the 

 game. 



