Ill 



BREEDING AND EXHIBITING 



HAVING referred in the last chapter to the rearing of kittens 

 and the treatment of Queens and Stud cats, I propose now 

 more especially to confine myself to the various matings and 

 crossing of breeds which are generally considered admissible 

 and advisable. A broad rule may be laid down to start with, 

 namely, that Selfs should not be crossed with Tabby-marked 

 cats or vice versa. Take white cats for instance. It is 

 a great pity to cross them with any other variety as probably 

 broken breeds would be the result. Some fanciers have 

 tried them with Silvers in order to get very pale and un- 

 marked kittens, but I have not heard of any satisfactory 

 results. Black cats may be mated with great success to 

 Blues. I know of many instances where anyhow, one kitten 

 of such parents, has proved to be a beautiful Blue with the 

 deep amber eyes so much desired. I have one in my 

 possession which has taken high honours. Then again an 

 Orange or Tortoiseshell may be crossed with a Black. In 

 fact a really good Black, male or female, is a cat to be culti- 

 vated by fanciers both for breeding and exhibiting purposes. 

 It has been the ambition of many a fancier to breed a Tor- 

 toiseshell Tom and I believe the most likely mode of suc- 

 ceeding is to pair a strong young black male with a Tortoise- 

 shell Queen of more mature age. 1 have never seen or 

 heard of a Long-haired Tortoiseshell Tom, although we have 

 some short-haired specimens in the Fancy. I have had a 

 good deal of experience in breeding Blues, and if it is desired 



