68 PET RABBITS, CAVIES, AND MICE. 



since then, but circumstances, so far as they affect 

 fanciers under similar conditions, have not altered or 

 modified in the least. About as happy as any man in 

 the world is the fancier who has just won his initial 

 first prize with the pets he has taken so much interest 

 in. In cavies, as in rabbits, condition is the most 

 important factor, next the possession of a good speci- 

 men. Because we lay so much stress upon condition, 

 it is no argument that we consider a bad exhibit shown 

 in good condition should beat a good one, badly shown ; 

 but the competition at most shows is so very level and 

 so very keen that an exhibitor cannot afford to risk 

 any chances by showing a specimen in poor coat, or low 

 in flesh, or too fat and podgy destroying in many 

 instances the typical points of excellence. It may be 

 pointed out here, with advantage, that you can the more 

 easily feed a sow out of shape than a boar. Conse- 

 quently we are decided advocates of keeping the boar in 

 good condition and flesh, and give more latitude in that 

 respect than in the case of the sow. Milk is a splendid 

 conditioner. It gives gloss to the coat. But it is best 

 boiled first. In the case of cavies it is very necessary 

 to handle exhibition specimens frequently. You can 

 scarcely do it too frequently. There is nothing helps 

 a good pig over the stile so much as being well trained. 

 And it goes a long way to hide some of the faults in a 

 pig that cannot lay claim to absolute perfection. It is all 

 very well to protest against this view, as some will doubt- 

 less do, but let them undertake the duty of judging and 

 have a cavy darting here and darting there never still ; 

 they would copy the judge and say " Impossible to 

 discover all its merits." And it would perhaps suffer 

 the penalty. We are aware that good quality, shape, 

 coat, and colour can be seen, but it will be conceded they 

 can be estimated to better advantage if the cavy is quiet 

 and well trained, than if it is wild and intractable. How 

 much easier and more pleasant it is to handle a well- 

 trained cavy than a wild one ! Any way, we throw out 

 the caution and the advice, and leave it there. Results 

 justify our remarks. See that your show specimens are 

 well fed some hour or two before being sent on a 

 journey, and that they have plenty of hay, and a little 

 green food in the box, with sawdust at the bottom. 

 Use baskets in summer, boxes in winter. Make sure 



