GAGES AND GAGE-MAKING 



49 



but if it be wished to alter them let it be 

 in the direction of the length, which may 

 be extended an inch or two. 



This '■ box ■' is then divided into two 

 compartments by a central partition, which 

 can either be the entire height of the cage 

 or only half the height, the upper half 

 sliding in and out in a groove. 

 The advantage gained by this is 

 that when the breeding season 

 is over the slide can be with- 

 drawn and the two compart- 

 ments thrown into one ; if an 

 entire partition be used it can 

 either be made movable or a 

 fixture, but the former is pre- 

 ferable. If made a fixture, it 

 must have an aperture in the 

 centre, about 3 inches square, 

 which can be oijened or closed 

 at pleasure by means of a door 

 suspended on a screw to serve 

 as a means of communication 

 between the two compartments. 

 In place of this aperture a 

 small slide is sometimes used ; 

 the various arrangements are 

 shown in the illustration on this 

 page ; but these and other minor 

 fittings are entirely matters of 

 taste. 



Our preference has always 

 been to have everything as plain as possible, 

 and to have no sort of complications about 

 a cage when a simpler appliance woidd 

 answer the same purpose. We mention 

 these things, however, at this stage of our 

 work, because these details must be decided 

 on before the front is made. While the box 

 is still open and in this crude shape, we may 

 as well direct attention to the fact that if 

 a half-partition and large slide be used, 

 the lower groove in which the slide works 

 will have to be gouged out on the top edge 

 of the partition, and the upper groove will 

 have to be made in the same way, on the 

 lower edge of a jjiece of wood nailed to 

 the inside of the cage at the top. But we 

 think this all means extra work, finished 

 with a precision that the amateur joiner 

 may not find it easy to acquire all at once. 

 7 



He has to choose, therefore, between an 

 entire partition, movable or a fixture, with 

 a central aperture or small sliding-door, 

 and a half-partition with a large slide. 

 The entire partition, with central aperture, 

 is the easiest to make. 



Many Yorkshire breeders prefer this 



DOUBLE BREEDING GAGES. SHOWING VARYING 

 ARRANGEMENTS. 



kind of partition in their double cages ; 

 but the breeder must act as his fancy leads 

 him. The movable partition is, we think, 

 preferable, for the reason that when the 

 partition is removed the cage makes a 

 splendid "flight" for the winter months, 

 while it will be found to be the simplest 

 and best arrangement. 



In the drawing on this page the breeding- 

 cage is divided into three sections, each 

 intended to illustrate one or other of the 

 various modes of construction we have 

 described. The bottom section represents 

 the imfinished cage, with wooden cross- 

 bar and wooden framed door pierced ready 

 for wiring. The illustration on page 50 

 shows this door wired, and the method 

 of fixing. The front is a fixture ; the 

 wires are passed through the middle 



