NEW BOXES AND BASKETS. 



found nothing better for the bottoms of the 

 baskets than a layer of two inches of finely 

 cut, clean, sweet, wheat straw. If cut from a 

 quarter to half an inch in length and used in the 

 quantity named it will rarely be found that 

 your birds will not arrive at the show as clean as 

 when you started them from home . Many a good 

 bird's chance has been spoilt by the exhibitor's 

 carelessness in this matter, some not even putting 

 any material whatever in their baskets. It is not 

 advisable to give birds too generous a feed prior 

 to starting them on their journey. Half a crop 

 full is plenty, and is much better for them. 



Another little matter which is useful to bear 

 in mind when exhibiting is to see that your birds 

 get away early. Don't wait till the last train to 

 take them to their destination, or you might see 

 a label on your pens, " Too late for competi- 

 tion ! " 



END OF A PLEASANT DUTY. 



And now my pleasant task is finished. I 

 started out, as I said at the commencement, to 

 try and help the novice or beginner in the culti- 

 vation of Oriental Frills, and to awaken an 

 interest in others who have never kept them . If 

 I have succeeded in my humble attempt I shall 

 feel gratified. 



I repair to the ingle nook to enjoy my 

 evening pipe. My thoughts go back to some 

 of the early devotees of the breed, and through 



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