GARDEN MANUAL FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 



17* 



for the hares to gnaw at. They should have fresh water twice a day. as they drink lots 

 of water. A flowerpot saucer makes a good drinking cup, as it is not easily upset. They 

 should be fed at regular hours 2 or 3 times a day. It is best to feed just enough than to 

 over- feed. 



The Hutch.— A breeding hutch should be not less than 6 feet long, 2 feet wide and 

 20 inches high. Partition off about 20 inches of one end for a nesting room. This apart- 

 ment should be dark, with an entrance 6 inches wide at the front and extending from the 

 bottom to the top of the hutch, therebv ventilating the apartment. The door is made 

 eight or ten inches wide, of the same height, furnished with a suitable catch for the 

 front. The front of the remaining forty iuches should have a door of one-inch wire 

 netting, fastened to a frame, made of seven eights by two-inch wood. This door to be 

 hinged at the end farthest away from the nesting apartment. The one-inch mesh netting 

 keeps in the young rabbits and keeps out rats and cats. The hutches are best built two 

 feet from the floor, leaving that space for growing stock to run about it, as the little fel- 

 lows must have exercise if you want those long, racy specimens that the standard de- 

 mands. A brood buck will be perfectlv happy in a hutch five feet long, two feet deep 

 and twenty inches high. In breeding the Belgiau Hare you have no vermin to fight, and 

 little or no disease when properly fed and cared for. All poultrymen should keep them, as 

 the one occupation does not interfere with the other and can be profitably combined. 



Big Money In It. — Thousands are making money at this business, some fanciers have 

 been selling fine specimens for $25 to $50 and $roo. And one pair was sold for $600. 

 We know of men, women, boys and girls who are making the breeding of Belgian Hares a 

 side issue, who now have plenty of money to spend by having embarked in the enterprise*.- 



The Breeding of Hares. — When bred the doe is placed in the hutch where she is to 

 rear her young, which are expected to arrive, after 30 days have elapsed. During gesta- 

 tion she should be provided with nourishing food. They breed every 8 or 10 weeks. 

 About a week before the family is expected place a handful of clean, soft, dry straw in 

 the doe's hutch, with which she is to build her nest. She ma}- not use it immediately, 

 but do not worry ; just allow her to pursue her own course. Water, fresh and clean, 

 should be kept before her all the time. The doe while nursing her young should have 

 milk-producing food such as carrots, or any of the numerous succulent plants which 

 abound on all sides. Plenty of food should be before her all the time, that she may help 

 herself when so inclined. A little bread and milk is much relished by a nursing doe, 

 and aids her in supplying nourishment for the youngsters. At the age of 2 or 3 weeks 

 the youngsters will begin to help themselves. At this time it is well to place a small 

 dish, or box of dry bran before them, as it is an excellent feed. The little fellows will 

 also eat oats, alfalfa, hay, etc. The youngsters may, under ordinary circumstance, be 

 weaned at the age of six weeks. They should by this time have a good start and be 

 able to look out for themselves. Give them a good run-way, say six to ten feet long by 

 two or three feet wide, so they may exercise and lengthen out. At the age of ten weeks 

 separate the does from the bucks, and keep each sex to themselves. 



Stock for Sale . — We have written at length, upon the subject of Belgian Hares as our 

 customers are asking us all about them, and what we have said covers the ground pretty 

 well. 



Our rabbitry is headed by our buck "Our Pride," which took the first prize at our 

 New Orleans Hare Show, is valued at $200, and Lord Monarch Britan, the best buck in 

 the country. We took eighteen blue ribbons, or fiist prizes. We won for our credit 

 eighteen fir t prizes at our late show. 3BI 



This is what our late Judge of the Hare Show says regarding the head of our rabbitry: 



Mr. Steckler — Dear Sir— I cannot improve on what you have said; however will state 

 you have the best Belgian Hare Buci in the world, weight and age considered. Lord 

 Monarch Britan, value $250. Wishing you the success ) our enterprise deserves. 



Yours; Wm. Henry Gray. 



PRICES. 



Three months old §5 °o per pair 



Three months old Single Buck 3-5° 



Three months old Single Doe >oo 



Nine months old 15.00 per pair 



Nine months old Single Buck 9-°° 



Nine months old Single Doe S.00 



Nine months old Bred Doe 10.00 



STUD FEES— Our Pride. $S.oo; Lord Monarch Britan, $10.00; President McKinley. 

 $5-oo 



Steckler's Hare Slobber Cure.— This remedy will be hailed with delight by all 

 lovers of this interesting and bonnie little animal. Applied just in the beginning when 

 the disease show itself, the cure is rapid and sure; one application is all that is necessary, 

 although sometimes two and even three applications are necessary. Put up in bottles, 

 price, 50 cents each. 



JSOT HOW CHEAP, BUT HOW GOOD. 



