38 CATS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



and they have been known to eat them in consequence of 

 undue interference. 



I was once possessed of a lovely blue female, whose only 

 fault was neglecting her offspring when about a fortnight 

 old. I hit upon the plan of using the filler of a fountain 

 pen. I charged this with warm milk and water, and 

 placing the end in the kitten's mouth, I gently pressed 

 the rubber. The kits sucked away with great glee. This 

 is a much better mode of getting food down young kits' 

 throats than by using a spoon. I believe Mr. Ward, of 

 Manchester, has improved upon my patent, and a glorified 

 fountain-pen filler is now provided by him. This has a 

 piece of india-rubber fixed on the part of glass tube which 

 is put in the kitten's mouth, and thus all risk of their biting 

 the glass and breaking it is done away with. Let me recom- 

 mend all breeders of kittens to have one of these useful 

 articles amongst their catty requisites, 



It is not very safe to put Keating's Powder on your baby 

 kits, but, if troubled with fleas, sprinkle some amongst the 

 hay at the bottom of their basket, under which place a news- 

 paper. You will be astonished what a number of fleas, 

 dead and dying, will be found on removing the basket. 

 Change the hay frequently, and sprinkle fresh powder. In this 

 way, both mother and kits will be kept free from these pests. 



Don't have anything to do with red baize or flannel in 

 making a bed for young kittens. If these materials get wet 

 the dye comes out and stains the coats horribly. The other 

 day I came across a little family of Blues with red tails ! 



In wintry weather it is risky sending our precious queens 

 on long journeys. Make use of large sheets of brown paper 

 as coverings to the hampers. This denes the wind much 

 better than woollen wrappers or linings. 



I am often asked how it is best to set about breeding 

 Persian cats so as to make it pay, and I invariably answer 

 by telling my inquirers to procure two thoroughly good, 

 healthy pedigree queens. At the present time, I should 



