66 PET RABBITS, CAV1ES, AND MICE. 



There is just as much and just as little logic in the one 

 premises as in the other. What is wanted here is the 

 exercise of reason and common sense. Over-fat folk, 

 for instance, are a nuisance to other people, and a misery 

 to themselves; but that is a long way from saying that 

 the most inspiriting sight one can look upon in 

 humanity is a person with a face the thickness of a steel 

 fender bar. Stamina is needed in the dam to nourish 

 and bring up her young. What is really necessary in 

 cavy breeding is to be careful that both parents are 

 healthy, in fairly good flesh, and in the best of coat. 

 Here are a few of a series of well tried rules: Never 

 allow more than three sows to one boar, and these should 

 if possible, all be placed in his hutch at one time. This 

 prevents them from fighting, which they will do if you 

 allow several days to elapse, i.e., put in one at a time. 

 Do not, if possible, and if you want strong, healthy 

 young ones, allow the sow to bring up more than two 

 at a time. Always give the growing youngsters plenty 

 of hutch room, as without it you will never get large 

 pigs. You may keep the three sows in the one hutch 

 from the time of mating until near upon the period for 

 the young to appear, when the sows must be separated, 

 or ill-luck will result; and it is certainly advisable to 

 separate the young boars from the sows at a fairly early 

 age. We prefer it being done quite early, as it is just 

 as easy to let the sexes run separately in batches, as to 

 allow them to intermix, and much safer, and more satis- 

 factory. When you commence breeding, go upon 

 some well-regulated system. We have entered upon 

 the subject of in-breeding in rabbits, and it will be 

 sufficient to say that practically the same rules apply 

 on this head as to cavies. It will have to be done in 

 all cases where success is sought, but three things must 

 be present when you in-breed: Health, condition, and 

 perfection of points on both sides. To in-breed faults 

 is to perpetuate them. To rush hither and thither for 

 different sires just because they are winners is not in- 

 breeding at all. No doubt there are conditions in cavy 

 breeding different to rabbit breeding, but not on this 

 question of pedigree. Someone has talked about the 

 " Coffin of pedigree breeding," and taken a keen relish 

 in his ability to drive another nail into it! But pedigree 

 breeding has accomplished much, and will accomplish 



