THE HURAb NEW-YORKER 
11/21 
What About Belgian Hares ? 
Part I. 
A Growing Industry.— Those who re¬ 
member the Belgian hare “craze” of 12 
or 15 years ago, probably all claim to 
hail “from Missouri,” when it comes to 
a discussion of this animal. At the time 
in question, extravagant claims were 
made for the Belgian hare business, most 
of which were impossible of realization. 
Like every other “craze,” the reaction 
came, and the real merits of the sub¬ 
ject matter were lost sight of. The bus¬ 
iness is, however, recovering from the 
effects of this undue inflation and result¬ 
ing depression, and is now firmly estab¬ 
lished on a sound basis, and gradually 
growing. While it is still in its infancy, 
it is enjoying a steady, healthy growth, 
and that it will in time attain great pro¬ 
portions, is beyond doubt. This state¬ 
ment may seem unwarranted, but when 
one considers the almost prohibitive cost 
of beef and other meats, the high food 
value and excellent flavor of hare’s flesh, 
and the ease and cheapness with which it 
is produced, the conclusion that it will 
in time become a staple article of food 
is inevitable. They are already of suffi¬ 
cient importance to prompt the Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture at Washington to is¬ 
sue a bulletin on the subject (Farmer’s 
Bulletin 496). Even now, the raising of 
Belgian hares is in some sections of the 
country, particularly California, an im¬ 
portant industry. While the name Bel¬ 
gian hare has been adopted, and probably 
always will be used to distinguish this 
particular breed of rabbits, it should be 
remembered that they are not hares at 
all, but rabbits, and can be mated with 
any other breed of rabbits, should any 
one desire to do so. 
Housing. —Extravagant claims have 
been, and doubtless still are made, con¬ 
cerning the great returns which may be 
had from a few Belgian hares. Probably 
very few have been made or will become 
rich out of this business, but to one who 
is willing to devote even a small amount 
of time to it, both pleasure and profit 
will result. Their requirements are few 
and simple. Dry quarters, protected from 
drafts, feed and water are about all that 
is necessary. Aside from cleaning their 
pens once or twice a week, five or 10 min¬ 
utes night and morning will suffice to 
feed and water a pen of bunnies. Almost 
any box containing five or six square feet 
of space, if covered with tar paper to ex¬ 
clude the rain, will answer the purpose of 
a hutch, and a smaller box about 15 
inches square one foot high will do for 
a nest. Warm quarters are unnecessary, 
if they are shielded from drafts. Even 
the very young will survive a very low 
temperature, unless they get out of the 
nest, and are unable to find their way 
back. As a rule, however, the results ob¬ 
tained from attempting to breed hares 
in midwinter are not satisfactory, and 
little is to be gained by the attempt. 
Four or at most five litters a year is all 
one should expect a doe to rear. 
Feeding Requirements —As is pret¬ 
ty generally known, their staple diet is 
oats and hay, preferably clover or Al¬ 
falfa, carrots and cabbage. But they will 
eat and relish for a change, almost any¬ 
thing in the vegetable kingdom. Dry 
bread, crackers, beets, apples, oatmeal 
and other breakfast cereals and potatoes 
cooked or uncooked, turnips, pumpkins, 
banana skins, orange peel (in limited 
quantities), vegetable tops, grass, dande¬ 
lions and nearly all kinds of weeds, sweet 
milk, bran, pea pods, green cornstalks, 
husks and cobs can all be fed with good 
results. In fact, a pen of these animals 
will dispose of practically all of the vege¬ 
table waste from the kitchen. Every 
family with a few square feet of back 
yard, could keep a number of hares at 
little or no expense, and enjoy A roast 
or stew of the finest meat that grows. 
Preparing For Tiie Table. —In con¬ 
sidering Belgian hares as food, one must 
not judge them by. the thin, mangy, sorry- 
looking objects hung up in most meat 
markets, and sold at 40 or 50 cents each, 
mostly wild rabbits killed somehow, 
somewhere, sometime. While the killing 
of one of these gentle, harmless creatures 
is not pleasant—in fact the killing of 
none of God’s creatures should be pleas¬ 
ant—yet it can be done very quickly, and 
be entirely painless. A sharp blow with 
a stout stick on the back of the neck, 
stunning the animal, and a quick stroke 
a sharp knife across the throat sever¬ 
ing the jugular vein, does the trick. The 
whole operation of killing and dressing 
requires about as much time as for kill¬ 
ing and dressing a chicken, reasonably 
free from pin feathers. When dressed, 
they should be soaked for a short time 
in cold, weak brine, and parboiled for 
about 10 minutes. They can be cooked 
in as many ways as a chicken, and the 
claim is made that their flesh has a 
much greater food value than chickens, 
beef, mutton or pork. When properly 
cooked, there is nothing about them to 
which the most fastidious palate can ob¬ 
ject. 
ITares or Poultry. —Probably the 
question which most often occurs to the 
person who considers the subject at all 
is “Which will yield the best results 
considering the time and money invested, 
hares or poultry?” This question can’t 
be answered satisfactorily to many—nor 
perhaps to anyone. It depends upon so 
many conditions, and the ever present 
personal equation, but a few general ob¬ 
servations may perhaps aid each to an¬ 
swer for himself. There are millions of 
dollars invested in the poultry business, 
thousands of persons engaged in it, and 
thousands more looking for an opportun¬ 
ity to do so. The cost of even a moder¬ 
ate-sized poultry p’ant, properly equipped 
is considerable, and the competition is 
close and severe. While there is a steady 
demand for poultry products, no increase 
may be expected except of course in pro¬ 
portion to the increase of population. 
Hens must be fed during daylight, and 
young chicks several times a day. They 
are the prey of vermin and disease, and 
in order to obtain the best results must 
be continually “fussed” with. They are 
noisy, and more or less of a nuisance in 
thickly populated districts; decidedly so 
unless closely confined. On the other 
hand, the necessary pens, which is about 
all the equipment necessary for keeping 
hares, are simple and inexpensive. A 
large dry-goods box with a little tar pa¬ 
per and wire screen can be readily con¬ 
verted into two breeding pens, and 12 or 
15 breeding pens can be constructed in a 
building seven by eight feet, and six or 
seven feet high. For $10, a trio of first 
class stock can be purchased, there is 
little competition to face, and the demand 
for good breeding stock is steadily in¬ 
creasing. Hares can be fed at any time, 
day or night, and the constant “fussing,” 
variety of diet, etc., demanded by poultry 
is unnecessary. They are quiet, harmless 
animals, and could be reared in a light 
and dry cellar, provided of course, special 
attention to cleanliness was given. Hens 
trespassing on their owner’s neighbor, 
frequently result in quarrels, and some¬ 
times in police court hearings, but I nev¬ 
er knew of Belgian hares being the cause 
of trouble. 
Onondaga Co., N. Y. 
F. G. DUTTON. 
Weaning a Calf. 
advise how to wean a calf 
old, heifer? I have tried 
Will it suck itself when it 
,J. M. 
calf at once by making it 
Can you 
17 months 
everything, 
comes in? 
Wean the can at once 
impossible for it to get near its mother, 
and feed it well on grain, meal, and hay 
or grass. If you mean that it sucks it¬ 
self now, or that it sucks other cows, put 
a spiked halter on its nose to make that 
impossible. a. s a 
L 
DAIRY CiATTIjE I 
Holstein-Friesian Bull Calves F f 0 ' ° 
Chittenaiioo, N. Y. 
offer.: THE GATES HOMESTEAD FARM, 
READY FOR SERVICEt prices s7ij °on>si5ooo 
, OCnWIUC Registered Holstein and 
Jersey Bulls. Splendid individuals with treat 
backing. Best blood in the land. Also younger bull 
calves. Write for list. HOMEWOOD FARMS, RYE, N. Y. 
East River Grade Holsteins For Sale 
100 Extra high grade Holstein cows served 
to come fresh in Aug . Sept, and Oct. 
Served to Reg. bulls. They are milking 
good now. Come and see them milked. 
Reg. bulls ready for use. 
JOHN B. WEBSTER, 
Oeot. Y, Cortland, N. Y. Bell Phone 14, F. S. 
READY FOR SERVICE 
Grandson of King of Pontiaes out of A. R. O Dam 
w « marked. Price, $75. 
SABAHAMA FARM, Baldwinsvilie, N. Y. 
f DAIRY CATTliE 
Registered ToggenbergGoah^H'lVi BDel " e po " , ' ,rr - 
Want to Buy-50 Head of Cattle 
Jersey. Guernsey and Holsteins. A-l stock. 
H. HUSING, 
Fishkill, N. Y. 
FOR SALE 
Otterkili F arm Ayrshires 
15 young bulls, all ages, and well bred, from import¬ 
ed sire Howies Predominant, imported three years 
ago, who was bred by Robert Wallace Aucbenbrain. 
He is also for sale. Prices to suit the buyer. Address 
RUDOLPH HESS, Mgr., Washingtonville, Orange Co. N. Y. 
Holstein and Guernsey Cows 
Special for August 
05 regrlutered Oucrimcy cow* mid heifers of 
superior quality. 
A it entire herd lit private *n!e. Also Holstein 
cows of exceptional breeding that are heavy 
producer a. 
A few hall at bargain prices. 
Tompkins Co. Breeders Association 
C. O. Carman, Sec’y Trumansburg, N. Y. 
F Q 3 C A IpT—Registered Gnernsey Bulls 
* ready for service and 
younger, the best blood lines in the country. 
Vitlaneside Guernsey Farm, m. j. Grim, Prop., c.iawisn. Pa 
YEARLING °GuiRNSEY BULL 
Registered. $100. P. R. Bowdish, Cornwall, N.Y. 
R-GUERNSLY BULL »so sure 
\o increase your prcHts. Gro<3© u|p your 
herd by usin% a pure bred Guernsey 
BuU and you will be surprised at Results. 
Send for free literature. 
Guernsey Cattle Club, 
Box R Peterboro, N.H. 
HOME FARM 
LENOX, MASS. 
We now offer an exceptional chance TO THOSE 
WHO DESIRE TO IMPROVE THEIR HERDS WITH 
SOME NEW ENGLAND GROWN JERSEYS, tile 
kind that have constitution and vigor, as well its 
de«‘p milking and butter producing capacity. All 
animals sold out of State will be accompanied with 
certificate of health a« required by law. Have never 
had a case of tuberculosis in the herd, 
Wo offer for salo the following s 
1 cow 3-yrs. old ; 1 cow, 5 yrs. old ; I cow, 0 yrs. 
old; all in calf to Bosnians* Choice, No. 106246, 
bought from C. I. Hudson, Esq., for $1500.00. 
Wo also havo tho following Bulls for salo : 
Jaqueline’s Croy Fox, No. 117375. This bull Is 
a fine specimen in evory way. Is two years old and 
ready for sorvioe. Also, 1 bull, 1-yr, old; 1 bull, 
6 mos. old ; 1 bull, 5-mos. old, and 2 bulls, 3-mos. 
old Several of theso bulls are sired by Bosnians' 
Choice, No. 1 06246. Par further tutor in at ion write to 
JAMES A. REBURN, Supt. 
Home Farm, Lonox Mass. 
Jersey Bulls 
We have at present several bull calves, sired by im¬ 
ported and home-bred sires and from dams milking 
18 to 23 qts. of 5% to 6% milk, which will be sold at 
Farmers’ prices. Ulsterdorp Farms, High¬ 
land, N.Y. (One Mile from Poughkeepsie Ferry.) 
TFR^FY^ - Heifer and Bull Calves, $50 to $100. 
, 1 Bred Heifers and Cows, $100 to $250. 
Heavy producing Imp. ami Reg. of Merit Stock. Blood 
—Eminent Raleigh, Gamboges Knight, Oxford Lad’s, 
etc. All Stock offered backed by Official butter records. 
OAKAVOOD FARM, R. 3, Newburgh, N. Y. 
FOR PRQDUCTI0N- BREED up - N0T o°wn- 
run rnuuuvuwn Registered Jersey bull 
calves, only, from producing dams and highest type 
sires. R. F. SHANNON, 603 Retisiiaw Bldfl., Pittshuruh. Pa. 
Fosterfields Herd ^ TE n^^ s ^f, 
IlhIFEU CALVES— FOR SALE. Prices very reasonable 
CHARLES G. FOSTER, Rox 173, HorrUloivo, New Jersey 
SPRINGDALE FARMS 
Holsteins. 300 fancy cows and heifers to select 
from. F. P. Saunders & Sou, Cortland, N.Y. 
Ontario Don Piolie -horn ’ Sept. 30,1914.show 
UllldMU uon rieije Holstein; more than half 
white; ready for service. Sire, 35.b’l lb. bull; dam, 
royally bred twin heifer. 18.52 lbs. at 2 yrs., 0 mos. 
Price, $250, and worth 20 ordinary bulls. Semi for 
pedigree. Cloverdale Farm, Charlotte, N. Y. 
HOLSTEIN BULL CALVES Rex Pontine. 
34.OD, seven days, 30 (lays, 134.66. They are extra good 
individuals, all from A. R. O. dams. Write for pedi¬ 
grees and prices. TIIE YATES FARMS, Orchard Park, N.Y. 
Hnktpin Sprviep Roll - Grandsons of Pontiac Korn- 
nuiMein service duh , iyl<e and K5ng ^ egis (<)I10 
to HI mo. old.) If you are looking for the blood 
which produces world champion cows, write to 
Ira S. Jarvis, Harlwick Seminary, N. Y. Prices moderate 
Special Price 
ON REGISTERED 
HOLSTEIN BULLS 
Calves and yearlings. Send for list, stating 
class and age of animal you want. We 
can and will please you. 
ALLAMUCHY FARMS, Allamuchy, N. J. 
CHENANGO COUNTY COWS 
High Grade and Registered 
HOLSTEINS— Several Hundred 
now listed for sale by our members. These are 
mostly fall cows, but include many pure-bred 
heifers and bulls. Chenango has tiie most dairy 
cows to the square mile of any county in the 
state. We have had no foot and mouth disease. 
For further information write or call at 
FARM BUREAU, 
Norwich, N. Y. 
Spot Farm Holsteins 
7 A Holstein heifer and bull calves. $15 each, ex¬ 
press paid in lots of 5. 
1 registered bull S months old. 3 bulls 6 months old, 
$50 each; 1 bull 3 months old, $100, express paid. 
35 high-grade yearlings and 2-year-olds, $19 each. 
Registered and high-grade cows at very low prices. 
REAGAN BROS., Tully, N. Y. 
STUART, Beacon, N. Y. 
MILCH GOATS 
2 year old, Toggeuberg Doe, $15. % Toggenberg 
kids, $5 each. Sabarama Farm, Baldwinsville, N. T. 
XI o 
SES 
L_ 
AN OLD-FASHIONED 
MORGAN BROOD MARE FOR SALE 
due to foul Aug. 1, to the service of ” Gen. Gates.” 
Premier stallion at the U. 8. Morgan Horse farm. 
Mare will bo retired without extra expense if pur¬ 
chaser desires. This is a rare chance to raise up a 
valuable young team of Morgans. 
U. C. LITCHFIELD, - Middlebnry, Vt. 
Highland View Stick Farm 
Our barns are filled with the best Percheron and 
Belgians at the lowest prices. 
0. N. WILSON, Prop., - Kittanning, Pa. 
100 Percheron and Belgian Stallions 
MARES AND HOLSTEIN CATTLE. 
Also SHETLAND PONIES. Free circular. 
A. \V. GREEN, - Middlefield, Ohio 
COR SALE—Registered Percheron Stallion 
■ Colt— onoyear old; Sire, Westwood Don. Sound 
and good conformation. E. W. Thompson, Factory vide. Pa. 
Shetland PoniesiSS'oSi 
herd iu biggest Shetlaud Producing County in D. S. ?50 to Jloo 
SWIKTE 
DUROC SPRING SHOHS-^hH 1 
FOR PURE BRED TAMW0RTH SWINE 
write or visit WESTVIKW STOCK FARM, R. 
F. I>. No. 1, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 
Pedigree Chester Whites 
Ridg-ely Manor Farm, . Stone Ridge, N. Y. 
100 Registered 
Chester White Pigs 
10 \vk*. to 8 mos. old: 6 
Jersev Cow* 9 to6 yrs. old; 
aud 8 bull calve* 4 to 10 
mo*, old. 50 Lincoln lambs. 
Write for descriptive circular and price List7 
EDWARD WALTER, Oepl. R, " Eureka Slock Farm." West Chester, Penna. 
BERKSHIRES7 The '? ns v de ep, heavy, bone type. 
Grown tor breeders and guaranteed as 
represented. Prices right, A. C. HOOPER, Bozman, Md. 
BerKsliires 
Show and breeding stock—all ages. Foundation 
herds carefully selected. Write for new catalog. 
H. M. TERWILLIGKR, - Kirkville, N. Y. 
Discriminating Buyers Satisfied FaraXTsIfSes. 
All fashionable families; outstanding individuals. 
Orders for export given especial care. 
It. Y. BUCKLEY, "Woodrow”, Broad Axe, Pa. 
FIRST ANNUAL SALE OF THE 
NEW JERSEY BERKSHIRE 
BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION 
will be held at the Far Hills Fair Grounds, Far Hills, 
N. J., on August 31, 1915. For information in regard 
to entries, catalogs, etc., address 
C. P. CAMPBELL, Secretary, Pro-Temp, 
Fur Hills, New Jersey 
Springbank Berkshires 
Nothing for sale but big March and April PIGS. 
J. E. WATSON, _ Marbledale, Conn, 
Large Berkshires at Highwood. ri d 
Iloteware, Spokane, Wash., weighed 975 pounds, under 
two years of age. A yearling boar we sold Thomas W. 
Lawson, weighed 745 pounds. In breeding condition. 
Young boars and boar pigs of similar breeding for sale at 
reasonable prices. II. 0. & II. B. HA UPENDING, bunder, N.Y. 
'W oodbury Farm 
Registered Berkshires 
Bargains in boars, also some fine Hampshire Hams. 
J. W. WEBB, Syosset, Long Island, N. Y. 
For Sale—Large 7 Months Collins Jersey Red Boar 
Or trade for Registered Duroc. Also 6 weeks boar. 
Fine specimens. Millis Stock Farm, Millis, Mass. 
For Sale- Berkshire and 0.1. C. Swine 
two to twelve months of age. Good breeding. Fx- 
cellont individuals. Prices reasonable. Satisfaction 
guaranteed. TARBELL FARMS. SM1THVILLE FIATS. N V. 
Dogs ancl Fci*rcts 
FERRETS FOR qAI F Booklet, and price list Tree. 
rk.md.-ID run 3HLL JNO. F. MURRAY, New London, 0 . 
Fprrplo—pairs and dozen lots. Stamp for 
ICIICIS p r i e e list. CALVIN JEWELL, Spencer. O. 
Ferrets forSale~ I ,i i , th0r c " lor -' la '" 6 or 
lots. Choice stock. 
small; mated pairs or dozen 
C. H. Keefer & Co , Greenwich. Ohio 
(■fillip Plinq The intelligent kind. Also Blood- 
UUIIIC lUJJa bounds. Nelson’s, Grove City, Pa. 
Pi,vac at reasonable prices. Sent (’. O. 
V^UIllc Flips or ()n approval. -Catalog free. 
Edwin A, Souder, - Box R, Telford, Pa. 
Full Blood Female Airedale Puppy~f4 rs t \pet ek Ht° r 
FRED’K M. PEASLEY, - Ches hire, Conn. 
5-Month Thoroughbred 
Airedale Females, $10 
W. H. DOW & SON, 
Middlebury, Vt. 
FOX, COON, SKUNK AND RABBIT HOUNDS 
broke to gun and field, by experienced hunters. 
Coon, fox and rabbit hound pups, and extra fine 
ones, $5 each. Order now and be acquainted with 
yonr dog by hunting season. Stamp for photos. 
H. C. LYTLE, . Fredericksburg, Ohio 
