PET RABBITS, CAVIES, AND MICE. 6 1 



that what is true about rabbit keeping is equally applic- 

 able to Cavies. Whether the hutches be kept out of 

 doors, which can be done with equal success (as in the 

 case of rabbits), or whether in a shed, stable, loft, or 

 other building, the great point is to keep the Cavies 

 dry and free from draughts. If it is decided to keep the 

 animals out of doors, it will be well to set the hutches 

 against a brick wall, and to construct a roof over the 

 same as recommended for rabbits. A boarded roof can 

 be first constructed, giving the same the proper pitch 

 to allow the wet to run off freely. Upon this nail a 

 good covering of felt, well prepared. See that it over- 

 laps well at the joints. Procure sufficient gas tar to 

 thoroughly paint it over, and boil it, at the same time 

 adding a portion of pitch. When melted, brush this 

 well into the felt, looking carefully to the joints. When 

 brushed all over, throw upon it some gritty sand, which 

 will have the effect of hardening the " paint," and 

 making the roof watertight. Fill in the sides up to the 

 roof, and leave the front open. It will be as well to see 

 that the roof spans out far enough to allow of your 

 standing under to feed the cavies, etc., in inclement 

 weather. If kept in a shed or loft, care should be 

 exercised to prevent dampness or draughts, and to 

 secure ventilation at the same time. Nothing destroys 

 the health of any animal kept in confinement like damp 

 conditions or draught. It is impossible to repeat this 

 caution too often. The roof of an out-door structure of 

 the kind alluded to should be re-painted once a year, 

 as the destructive effects of rain, sun, and frost are 

 great. A roof thus attended to will last at least four 

 years. The same remarks apply to a shed thus roof eel. 

 Some prefer a corrugated iron roof, but we think it has 

 many disadvantages beside a felt one. Still, that is a 

 matter for choice. Tar is a splendid preservative of 

 either wood, felt, or indeed any other substance upon 

 which it is placed that is subject to the inclemencies of 

 the weather. Before you erect your shed, or shelter, 

 make up your mind how many hutches you wish it to 

 accommodate, and the size you intend having your 

 hutches. Leave room for contingencies, and then build 

 accordingly. The plan we should recommend for 

 hutches for Cavies would be as follows: We should 

 make provision for single Cavies for breeding purposes, 



