82 THE CAT 



haired and more highly cultivated cats have 

 smaller litters than the common Tabby which 

 has the run of the barn and, stable. 



The Wildcat breeds twice a year, and has a 

 somewhat longer period of gestation about 

 sixty-eight days. 



A female cat, or the " queen " cat, as she is 

 called, is usually ready for her first pregnancy 

 at six months of age ; but it is not advisable to 

 breed her before she is nine months to one year 

 of age, as at the earlier period she has not 

 attained her growth, and pregnancy is apt to 

 stunt her in size. 



The stud cat should not be used until he is 

 one or perhaps two years of age j and he should 

 be in perfect condition of health, with a good 

 coat on him, when given service. When the 

 queen cat gets ready for service she gives un- 

 mistakable evidence of it by her peculiar meows 

 and in other ways which are familiar to every 

 one. She should be immediately shut up in a 

 room or loft where she is inaccessible to any 

 cat but the stud who has been chosen for her. 

 The period in the " queen " lasts for some four 

 to ten days; but to be absolutely safe it would 



