82 PET RABBITS, CAVIES, AND MICE. 



and it is certain that these self same people very soon 

 find out their error and the difficulties that they have 

 to meet and overcome. It is a hard enough task for the 

 experienced breeder to get rid of defects, and it is not 

 always safe for him to be making experiments either. 

 What then are the risks run by the inexperienced ? 

 What we advise is make up your mind what variety 

 you would like to go in for. We always recommend 

 beginners to start in one variety only. You will find 

 it to your advantage to do so, in many ways. In the 

 first place, if you have a few of one variety you are 

 the better able to concentrate your attention upon them. 

 Let it be clearly understood that no breeder will succeed 

 who does not give his or her mind to it, and master all 

 the details necessary to thoroughly understanding the 

 variety selected. If you keep a number of different 

 varieties, there is no concentration, and a division of 

 interest which must inevitably bring failure. Select a 

 variety you most admire. Nail the motto " Excelsior " 

 up in your mousery. Then go to a breeder who has also 

 made a name by successfully exhibiting that variety. 

 Buy a pair, or three say a buck and two does. Do not 

 be hasty in your selection of a person to buy from. 

 Study well the show reports, and remember that it is not 

 always the person who wins the largest challenge cup 

 who is the most successful breeder. Sometimes persons 

 win very high honours at one show, and are not heard 

 of again for some time, so do not buy the first cheap 

 winner you see advertised. Winners are not always 

 bred from winners. At starting do not buy old stock, 

 but select them from 10 to 16 weeks old, as this gives 

 you a chance to breed a few litters before age creeps on 

 them. Mice are old at 12 months. Some breeders 

 advise that all stock over 12 months old be killed. Do 

 not buy your stock from here, there, and everywhere, 

 but stick to your selected strains, and be careful in the 

 selection of your own breeding stock. If you like buy 

 three does in young, mated as the breeder you have 

 gone to had mated them for himself. We mean this 

 buy three does he knows breed the right stuff. Give 

 him a good price for such. If you buy a buck and two 

 does, pair them up, and when you find your does in 

 young, take the buck away. When the young ones 

 arrive, let them alone until they are four or five days old, 



