The rabbit is easily kept, feeding on
grass, hay, vegetable food, fruit, scraps of
bread, and almost any fresh vegetable mat-
ter. The cuttings and clippings of the
kitchen are welcome to the hutch. It is
easy, however, to give too much food, and
wrong to give it wet. Some kind of grain
or seed is the basis of sound rabbit food,
oats being the best. It is wise to give only
a little food at a time, and keep the rabbits
rather hungry. Overfeeding is bad.
In addition to the common rabbit, there
are many fancy breeds, among them the
Lop-eared, the Horn, the Angora, and the
Maltese. Some of these are very odd-look-
ing, but none of them are as handsome as
the pure white, pink-eyed breed.
THE MODEL COOK BOOK
93
The Belgian Hare.
This interesting animal is proving to be
a popular one for small investments. They
are very prolific breeders, rearing several
broods each season. They are larger than
the common rabbit and are better eating. A
drCvSsed Belgian hare brings good prices in
the market. Their meat is light in color
and of excellent flavor. They are easily
cared for and cheaply fed. A pair of Bel-
gian hares will soon multiply into a large
number and bring quick returns in money
or meat for the original investment.
Other Animal Pets.
Of other animals kept as pets may be
named the Guinea pig and the squirrel, the
former kept much like the rabbit, the latter
in a cage. The squirrel in captivity is an
active fellow, fond of exercise, and if pro-
vided with a revolving wheel, for an occa-
sional run, will keep healthy and happy. It
should be provided with nuts for food, with
corn or wheat, or pieces of dry bread ; also
a little bread and milk, squeezed rather dry.
Some bits of meat are relished, but should
be given sparingly.
Rats and mice are also kept in cage-life,
the rat being almost as much given to comi-
cal antics as the monkey. The outer cage
should have several perches and a wire lad-
der or two. The revolving cage sometimes
used IS a cruel device for these animals ; a
roomy cage, with perches, ladders, and
swings, is far better and more interesting,
from their varied gymnastic powers.
White mice, with their pretty pink eyes,
are pets admired by many. They are tame
and hardy, and can be trained to perform
many amusing tricks. Corn meal is their
favorite food. The white rat, a Chinese
species, is very similar to the white mouse,
and if kept clean is an interesting pet. Of
course, these little creatures are not likely to
be welcome to those who bear an inborn
prejudice against them, but they are inno-
cent and harmless animals, and those who
keep them grow very fond of them.
The Aquarium.
The indoor aquarium is a very attractive
feature in many homes, and is capable of
being varied almost endlessly. It will fur-
nish many hours of study and occupation.
Its simplest form is the familiar globe for
gold and silver fish, which can be set on a
stand and forms a very attractive ornament.
It should be kept about three-fourths full of
w^ater, which needs to be changed at least
once a week. It is well to put a little
washed gravel at the bottom, and some clean
duckweed or other water-plant should be put
in the water. These aid to keep up the sup-
ply of ox3^gen ; and the fish will nibble them
occasionally. Small particles of bread or
biscuit serve for food.
Page 116
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The rabbit is easily kept, feeding on grass, hay, vegetable food, fruit, scraps of bread, and almost any fresh vegetable matter. The cuttings and clippings of the kitchen are welcome to the hutch. It is easy, however, to give too much food, and wrong to give it wet. Some kind of grain or seed is the basis of sound rabbit food, oats being the best. It is wise to give only a little food at a time, and keep the rabbits rather hungry. Overfeeding is bad.
In addition to the common rabbit, there are many fancy breeds, among them the Lop-eared, the Horn, the Angora, and the Maltese. Some of these are very odd-looking, but none of them are as handsome as the pure white, pink-eyed breed.
The Belgian Hare.
This interesting animal is proving to be a popular one for small investments. They are very prolific breeders, rearing several broods each season. They are larger than the common rabbit and are better eating. A dressed Belgian hare brings good prices in the market. Their meat is light in color and of excellent flavor. They are easily cared for and cheaply fed. A pair of Belgian hares will soon multiply into a large number and bring quick returns in money or meat for the original investment.
Other Animal Pets.
Of other animals kept as pets may be named the Guinea pig and the squirrel, the former kept much like the rabbit, the latter in a cage. The squirrel in captivity is an active fellow, fond of exercise, and if provided with a revolving wheel, for an occasional run, will keep healthy and happy. It should be provided with nuts for food, with corn or wheat, or pieces of dry bread ; also a little bread and milk, squeezed rather dry. Some bits of meat are relished, but should be given sparingly.
Rats and mice are also kept in cage-life, the rat being almost as much given to comical antics as the monkey. The outer cage should have several perches and a wire ladder or two. The revolving cage sometimes used IS a cruel device for these animals ; a roomy cage, with perches, ladders, and swings, is far better and more interesting, from their varied gymnastic powers.
White mice, with their pretty pink eyes, are pets admired by many. They are tame and hardy, and can be trained to perform many amusing tricks. Corn meal is their favorite food. The white rat, a Chinese species, is very similar to the white mouse, and if kept clean is an interesting pet. Of course, these little creatures are not likely to be welcome to those who bear an inborn prejudice against them, but they are innocent and harmless animals, and those who keep them grow very fond of them.
The Aquarium.
The indoor aquarium is a very attractive feature in many homes, and is capable of being varied almost endlessly. It will fur-
nish many hours of study and occupation. Its simplest form is the familiar globe for gold and silver fish, which can be set on a stand and forms a very attractive ornament. It should be kept about three-fourths full of w^ater, which needs to be changed at least once a week. It is well to put a little washed gravel at the bottom, and some clean duckweed or other water-plant should be put in the water. These aid to keep up the supply of ox3^gen ; and the fish will nibble them occasionally. Small particles of bread or biscuit serve for food.