BREEDING AND EXHIBITING 75 



They will persistently await their return to the old familiar pan 

 of earth or sawdust that they have been accustomed to. A 

 clever cat fancier has told me that she gives her cats return- 

 ing from a show a few drops of whisky in a spoonful of hot 

 water. She says it " sort of cheers them up ! " 



Nothing is so vexatious as when your puss starts scratching 

 out her lovely ruff just a week or so before the show for 

 which you have entered her. Have a look to her ears, for 

 the irritation may be there, and a little Condy and water 

 and boracic powder will soon set matters right. 



I do not think that cat fanciers pay sufficient attention to 

 the condition of their cats when sending them to shows. 

 The most successful exhibitors are those whose cats have 

 been shown in the best condition. Extra attention ought to 

 be paid to the feeding, exercising, and grooming of our pets. 

 I do not advocate washing cats, but a bran bath or a good 

 rubbing with white fuller's earth will greatly improve the 

 fur. 



A defective eye, or a damaged tail, would count against a 

 cat in the show pen, and therefore I should advise exhibitors 

 to keep these blemished pussies at home. 



It is very necessary for show secretaries to state the entries 

 close on a certain date, but still this date is often of an 

 elastic nature, and it is always worth while for an intending 

 exhibitor to write requesting that, if possible, their entry may 

 be received, although it is forwarded after the advertised 

 date. 



The prize cards are placed in the hampers when sent back 

 to exhibitors. If these are soiled or broken on their arrival 

 write to the secretary asking for fresh ones to be kindly 

 forwarded. 



The metal tallies sent for the cats at show time will hang 

 much more gracefully round the neck if a slip ring, such as 

 is used for fastening on buttons, is run through the hole of 

 the tally and then the ribbon is put through the ring. Let 



