MANAGEMENT. 121 



will be sure to " come in," and thus preserved from doing 

 and receiving injury. ^ • „ ^u 



If cats are in any way soiled in their coat, especially the 

 long-haired varieties, and cannot cleanse themselves, they 

 may be washed in warm, soapy water ; but this is not 

 advisable in kittens, unless great care is used to prevent 

 their taking cold. , . . r 



Some cats like being brushed, and it is often an 

 improvement to the pelage or fur if carefully done; but 

 in all cases the brush should have soft, close hair, which 

 should be rather long than otherwise. 



Do not let your cats or kittens wear collars or ribbons 

 always, especially if they are ramblers, for the reason that 

 they are liable to get caught on spikes of raihngs or twigs 

 of bushes, and so starved to death, or strangled, unless 

 discovered. 



For sending cats to an exhibition, a close-made basket 

 is best, which will allow for ventilation, as fresh air is most 

 essential ; and have it sufficiently large to allow of the cat 

 standing and turning about, especially if a long journey is 

 before them. I have seen cats sent to shows taken out of 

 small boxes, dead, stifled to death—" poor things." 



Bear in mind that the higher and better condition your 

 cat is in on its arrival at the show, the greater is the chance 

 of winning. 



Do not put carpet or woollen fabrics m the basket, but 

 plenty of good, .sweet hay or oat-straw ; this will answer all 

 purposes, and does not get sodden. 



If you use a padlock for the fastening, do not forget to 

 send the key to the ma?iager of the show, as is sometimes 

 the case. 



