94 



export of Pigs to the Cape. 



price of ijd, per skin. These dealers sell them, by weight, 

 to the manufacturers of hatters' furs in packages of jibs. 

 to 81bs. at about double the price at which they themselves 

 have purchased them. 



The Flemish Giant variety belongs to the same race as the 

 ordinary Flemish rabbit, and differs from it only in size ; as 

 its name implies, it is larger and heavier ; it" is, in fact, the' 

 largest of all rabbits raised in Belgium. Its meat is equally 

 suitable for food, but it is not so generally eaten, owing to its 

 relative scarcity. Not more than one rabbit of this variety 

 exists to 100 of the ordinary kind. Its average live weight 

 is i5lbs. to i81bs. By reason of its greater size this rabbit is 

 moie profitable to farmers than any other variety. It is, 

 however, chiefly raised for exhibition purposes. 



The Russian rabbit, which is even more scarce in Belgium, 

 than the giant Flemish, is entirely white in colour except 

 ihe nose and tail, which are black. It is bred mostly for 

 exhibition purposes, but is apparently not worth so much as 

 the Flemish Giant, although the meat is said to be superior. 

 It is small in size, weighing alive, on an average, from 5 to 

 6 lb., and when dressed about 4 lb. 



The silvered variety is in many respects similar to the 

 Russian, and is equally rare. The principal distinction 

 consists in the colour, which is black when the rabbit is very 

 young, but subsequently changes to a silvery greyish hue. 



The Angora rabbit, which is kept chiefly for exhibition 

 purposes, is exceedingly small, seldom exceeding 4J lb. in 

 weight, although it appears to be much larger by reason of 

 its hair, which measures from 2 to 3 inches in length. The 

 combings from these rabbits sell at 5s. to 8s. per lb., and are 

 used in the manufacture of clerical hats. 



Exportation of Pigs to the Cape of Good Hope. 



The Board of Agriculture have been asked to notify that 

 pigs will not be allowed to be landed from vessels at Cape 

 Town unless the animals are accompanied by a certificate, 



