294 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, February 12, 1861. 
Cochin-China (cinnamon, buff, or partridge).—First,E. Tudman, Whit¬ 
church. Second, W. Forster, Nantwich. 
Cochin-China (any other colour).—First, J. Dodd, Minshull Vernon. 
Second, J. Dutton, Bunbury. Third, G. AVilliamson, Nantwich. Chickens. 
—First, J. Dodd, Minshull Vernon. Second, J, Dutton, Bunbury. Third, 
G. Williamson, Nantwich. 
Game (Black-breasted or other Reds).—First, E. Viggor, Over. Sccondi 
W. Bott, Nantwich. Third, W. Galley, Nantwich. Highly Commended, 
J. Heath, Nantwich. Commended, R. Ashley, West End; E. Bower, 
Broad Lane. 
Game (any other variety).—First, T. Burgess, Burleydam. Second, Miss 
Bebbington, Durham Heifer, Nantwich. Third, T. Barton, Cliorlton. 
Game (any variety).—First, J. Parton, Nantwich. Second, J. Lewis, 
Nantwich. Third, E. Viggor, Over. 
Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).— Chickens. —First, T. Burgess, 
Burleydam. Second, J. Parton, Nantwich. Third, W. Hope, Nantwich. 
Highly Commended, R. Ashley, West End. Commended, J. Heath, Nant¬ 
wich ; A. Heath, Winsford. 
Single Game Cock (Black-breasted and other Reds).—First, T. Burgess, 
Burleydam. Second, J. Pedley, Nantwich. Third, W. Sowerbutts, Nant¬ 
wich. Highly Commended, T. Whittingham, Batherton; S. Edwards, 
Nantwich. 
Single Game Cocks (any other colour).—First, E. Bower, Broad Lane. 
Second, T. Burgess, Burleydam. Third, T. Whittingham, Batherton. 
Highly Commended, R. Ashley, West End; W. Forster,"Marsh Lane. 
Game (any other variety).— Chickens.— First, T. Burgess, Burleydam. 
Second, J. Grocott, Nantwich. Third, J. Judson, Nantwich. 
Polands (any variety).—First, T. Burgess, Burleydam. Second, J. 
Heath, Nantwich. Third, T. Sproston, Middlewich. Chickens. —First, T. 
Sproston, Middlewich. Second, T. Burgess, Burleydam. Third, J. Heath, 
Nantwich. Commended, G. Williamson, Nantwich. 
Hambubghs (Golden-pencilled).—First and Second, D. Harding, Middle¬ 
wich. Third, J. Grocott, Nantwich. Highly Commended, W. Griffiths, 
Nantwich. Commended, J. Leach, Crewe. 
Hamburghs (Silver-pencilled).—First and Second, D. Harding, Middle¬ 
wich. 
Hamburgiis (Golden-spangled).—First and Second, T. Burgess, Burley¬ 
dam. Third, R. Forster, Nantwich. 
Hambttrgbs (Silver-spangled).—First and Second, T. Dale, Middlewich. 
Third, T. Rigby, Fenny Wood, Winsford. 
Bantams (Game).—First, T. Burgess, Burleydam. Second, W. Griffiths, 
Nantwich. Third, J. Grocott, Nantwich. 
Bantams (any other variety).—First, D. Wilson, Winsford. Second, 
J. Heath, Nantwich. Third, S. Boffey, Willaston. Commended, D. 
Harding, Middlewieh. 
Sweepstake (Game Bantams, Single Cocks).—Prize, T. Burgess, Bur¬ 
leydam. 
THE RABBIT (Lepus cuniculus). 
ITS HISTORY, VARIETIES, AND MANAGEMENT. 
{Continued from page 250.) 
The older naturalists were not very successful in demon¬ 
strating the characteristics distinguishing the Rabbit from the 
Hare. The differences in their size and colour are sufficient for 
ordinary purposes, but are not such differences as to distinguish 
species in zoological classification. Even as late as 1772, Daines 
Barrington, in the “Philosophical Transactions,” could offer no 
better specific characteristics than such as depended upon the 
relative lengths of the bones of the hind legs, and their dif¬ 
ference in length when the hind legs were compared with the 
fore legs. 
More recently Cuvier offers these marts of distinction The 
Rabbit is less than the Hare; ears rather shorter than the head ; 
the tail less than the thigh ; coat yellowish-grey with some red; 
throat and belly whitish; ears grey without any black ; brown 
about the tail.— (Hegne Animal Mammferes, 255.) 
Such are the scientific characteristics of the wild Rabbit; but 
these do not apply to the domesticated varieties, for many of 
them are as largo as the largest Hare, and in colour so closely 
resembling the latter animal, as to be exhibited as “Hare 
Rabbits.” Whether they are hybrids is still a matter of doubt, 
as it was as far back as the time of Buffon. 
For all ordinary purposes the domestic Rabbit, of which alone 
we have to treat, is distinguishable by its colours, texture of 
fur, and size and position of its ears. 
The first attempts to rear varieties and improve the qualities 
of the Rabbit, are attributed, probably correctly, to the monastic 
establishments of the Continent; for the brethren, who had quite 
enough of abstinence from flesh meats, adroitly arranged that 
Rabbits, like game, should not be included among them, but be 
allowably eaten on maigre days. 
M. Mariot Didieux states that it was not until about 1830 
that attention was paid in France to the extensive and profitable 
breeding of Rabbits. It commenced near Paris, but the pro¬ 
ceedings were kept secret, opposition was feared, and information 
upon the subject was only obtained by stratagem. About ten 
years subsequently Rabbit culture made great progress both in 
France and elsewhere. In Belgium and Holland there are 
prudent, determined, calculating men, who try experiments 
cautiously, and it is only when they are sure of success that they 
walk bravely to the goal. Thus the Dutch and Belgians have 
already produced Rabbits in sufficient numbers to sell as many 
as “three hundred and fifty thousand” a-week in the Ostend 
markets alone, to be forwarded and sold in the London markets. 
Less than ten years ago this source of industry was unknown in 
those countries. The amounts just cited are official returns of 
the Custom-house statistics. They witness highly in favour of 
the breeding of these little animals, and their selling price 
increases instead of diminishing. 
The breeding on all the Dutch and French coasts of the 
channel is on a very extensive scale. The linen trade being 
greatly depressed had left a great many hands unemployed in 
1847. Some bred milch goats, others bred Rabbits to sell or 
live upon. We have visited farms in the Pas de Calais, says 
M. Didieux, and always found Rabbit pie in use, both among 
masters and men. 
In the farms in the neighbourhood of Troyes there were 
Rabbits bred which brought in annually from 1000 to 2000 
francs (from £40 to £80 sterling). Yet this is only considered 
a trifling trade, and is being extended every day. In the 
markets of Troyes there are 150,000 francs worth of Rabbits 
sold every year. In the suburbs of Clialons-sur-Marnc Rabbits 
are bred entirely for their fur with immense profits. 
In 1849, the Countess d’Albertas established in her Chateau 
near Gfardane a perfect stud of Rabbits, that comprised a 
number of varieties of great beauty, either as meat or fur, as 
silky fur of different shades and lengths. She realised great 
profits and sold breeders to Spain and Italy. She thus procured 
labour for the inhabitants of her locality, and gave meat to the 
poor. Moreover, she assured us that the manure she derived 
from her warrens had largely rewarded her by its enrichment 
of her lands. By judicious crossings she has produced half 
breeds of magnificent beauty, some of which have measured 
60 centimetres (about 30 inches) from the tips of the nose to the 
end of the tail. 
Monsieur l’Abbe Fissiause, Chaplain of the Hospital at Mar¬ 
seilles, breeds Rabbits to provide the poor with meat. The 
skins alone pay his expenses. 
In 1856 M. le Comte d’Epresmeuil, Secretary of the Accli- 
matation Society, visited an establishment for breeding Angora 
Rabbits at St. Innocent—a small village about two miles from 
Aix in Savoy, on the heights that overlook the lake of Boerget. 
This establishment, says he, is interesting, because particularly 
it procures work for women, children, and the poor in bad 
weather. It is of the simplest kind, since it consists in breeding 
Angora Rabbits of all colours—grey, white, black, brown, and 
particoloured. They are kept in large rooms, and fed with bits 
of all sorts of green stuffs. The fur is taken four times a-vear 
carded, spun, and woven in the village by the inhabitants, ‘who 
live out of this simple industry, which it would be so easy to 
propagate in France. Childrens’ dresses are sold at as much 
as 30 francs each. This Angora warren was established about 
twenty years ago by M. Lard ; it is now directed by his widow. 
After having had the idea of repairing his broken fortune by 
breeding Angora Rabbits, M. Lard had that of placing them 
out to keep with the inhabitants of the village. He gave, and 
his widow still continues to give, four pregnant Rabbits / and 
they are paid for by returning half the young when three or 
four months old. 
These Rabbits are bred in troops in stables, granges, rooms, 
lofts, and other places as extensive. They are fed in summer 
with a quantity of green plants, and in winter with dry leaves. 
Their fur is not woven as the Count d’Epresmeuil states, but is 
carded and spun by the ancient method, and knitted by the 
women into childrens’ frocks, stockings, drawers, chest pieces, 
gloves, and other warm articles of clothing. These are much 
sought after by the English that frequent the baths of Aix; 
and Madame Larcl has never enough in her warehouse, although 
the manufactory of St. Innocent furnishes more than £800 
worth a-year. 
Madame Lard buys the fur of the breeders at 60 centimes 
(6d.), the 32 grammes, which makes about 19 francs 20 centimes 
for one kilogramme (2 lbs. weight). We forgot to inquire while 
on the spot how much fur by weight one Angora Rabbit of 
middle size would furnish in a year or four combings ; but if w& 
