5'- 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



tion of color and form. A fancier can 

 choose one or all as his hobby, but it 



is best to select one or two kinds and 

 stick to them. It is better to try to 

 perfect one or two kinds than to spread 

 your energies over a lot of mediocrity. 

 In getting your stock there is much 

 that might be said in the way of advice 

 but in spite of it most novices go their 

 own pace and are successful or dis- 

 appointed according to their method. 

 There is only one place to buy stock 

 for the purpose of pet or fancy and that 

 is from some one who has thorough- 

 bred stock and a reputation for square 

 dealing. Better buy from a member 

 of the federated fanciers' clubs if you 

 are forced to choose between such and 

 an outsider, for even were the latter in- 

 clined to give you no satisfaction he 

 would be deterred from unfair treat- 

 ment for the sake of his reputation and 

 the penalties the association can in- 

 flict. Next do not be too parsimonious 

 in your deal. 



As a rule you will get more in stock 

 than you pay in money, but do not 

 expect to get anything approaching 

 fancy stock at fifty cents. No one can 

 rear a good animal for that. But il 

 your purse is thin go to a reliable 

 fancier and tell him as nearly as you 

 care to your limit in price. It may 

 be that from his stud of thoroughbred 

 stock a few "culls," as those that are 

 not up to the exhibition requirements 

 are called, might be secured, and you 

 will be able with care in breeding to 

 gradually build up a really good stud 

 Such stock or breeding stock from such 

 a source is miles ahead of the un- 

 known, promiscuously bred, store stock 

 that will give you all sorts or results, 

 and with the latter should be classed 

 the stock of those who farm or breed 

 quantities for the laboratories, etc. 

 Some of these men wall give you as 

 nearly as they can what you wish ; 

 others will treat you to the sensation 

 the small boy expresses in "Stung." 



In any case get as good material as 

 vou can and bend your energies toward 

 improving and developing it. Visit ex- 

 hibitions and exhibit your stock and 

 the pleasure and intellectual education 

 and relaxation you will derive will 

 surprise you. 



From the Dog's Point of View. 



(A Letter from "I..".) 



II. 



St. John's N. B. 

 T( i .My Mistress : 



Perhaps because I am only a <\<>g \ 

 should not expeel to get direct answers 

 to my letters. Perhaps because I can 



"LATE IN THE EVENING I WAS LET OUT 

 FOR A RUN." 



enjoy bones that have been chewed 

 over by some cur, and are thus second- 

 hand, you may think that by thanking 

 some (to you) unknown human, it is 

 all the same to me because I am only 

 a dog. Is it the same to you if some 

 one you love sends you a kiss and 

 some one you don't love applies it? 

 Humans may like it anyway ! But 

 as a dog, I don't. 



Dear mistress, you have given me a 

 very long name. I suppose I was chris- 

 tened by immersion which doubtless 

 accounts for my being so afraid of the 

 water and of getting my coat wet. 



Any time you want to tell me that 

 I'm still vour darling dog, just address 



