70 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



Of course, there is no reason why surplus stock should 

 not be used for table purposes, but, like the Angoras, I 

 think they are very seldom bred, at least in this country, 

 with that object in view, but almost entirely as pets, and 

 generally by ladies and young people. 



If kept with the idea of occasionally exhibiting, it 

 would be better to keep some does for that purpose only, 

 as those used for breeding pluck their coats so much to 

 provide warm nests for the young, that they take a long 

 time to recover their good looks. 



This does not apply to the bucks, which if frequently 

 groomed, will keep in form, except during the moulting 

 season. They are credited with possessing mild and docile 

 dispositions, and are said to be seldom, if ever, known to 

 show hostile or cannibalistic tendencies towards their young. 



The does are fairly prolific, and if permitted, will rear 

 two or three litters in the year, generally producing from 

 six to nine at a birth ; but 1 think two litters are better 

 than three, and give better chances to mother and offspring. 



In order to obtain specimens as near perfection as 

 possible, some attention must be given to mating, trying 

 to counterbalance the faults in the doe by the good 

 qualities of the buck, or the reverse. 



Coat and colour are the main points to be aimed at, 

 getting as much of the former as you can in reason, of a pure 

 white and silky texture, and the markings on the nose, ears, 

 feet and tail as dark as possible, if not actually black ; so 

 that in one variety are combined the difficulties experienced 

 by the breeders and fanciers of Angoras and Himalayans. 



The ears should be small, and carried upright, having 



