102 THE CAT 



It is really an operation of necessity for the com- 

 mon or garden she-cat one purely professional 

 and costs, as a rule, about one guinea. 



Castration. 



Tom-cats are easily rendered neuter by castration, 

 the professional fee for which varies from half-a- 

 crown to five shillings. It must not be done too 

 early the best age being from four to six months, 

 or even a little later, as this gives the animal time 

 to develop certain masculine characteristics which do 

 not show themselves if castration is performed too 

 early. It can, of course, be done at any age, with- 

 out increased risk, though this is always small, 

 provided the cat is taken ordinary care of. We 

 strongly recommend adoption of castration, as it 

 does away with the roaming habit, and increases 

 the size of the cat. 



