SOME NOTABLE CATTERIES. 



IOQ 



the kittens learn to climb up and enjoy the 

 roofs. 



" The sleeping house contains two wired-in 

 runs going round two sides, about 2 feet by 

 12 feet long, containing nest-box, earth pan, 

 etc. These are very useful for keeping a queen 

 and litter of small kittens in. There are also 

 two smaller wired-in runs, 2 feet by 6 feet, 

 fitted like the larger ones, so that a cat may be 

 shut up at any time if necessary. The queens 

 sleep in the smaller runs in the winter. Be- 

 neath the runs a small cupboard is very useful 

 for odds and ends of all kinds. 



"In so limited a space cleanliness is of the 

 utmost importance. The house and runs should 

 be swept out, and the earth pans should be 

 changed, washed, and disinfected every day. 

 The question of supplying dust for the pans 

 may prove a source of anxiety to the breeder 

 confined to a limited space. In winter the 

 dwelling-house fires supply about sufficient 

 ashes daily ; in summer I am compelled to 

 fall back upon sawdust, which answers the 

 purpose very well, only entailing a little extra 

 litter in the runs and more grooming of the 

 coats. Whatever the difficulty in this direc- 

 tion, it must be overcome and the pans daily 

 changed. The floors and shelves, both in cat- 

 house and covered run, should be washed with 

 hot water containing some disinfectant at 

 least once a week, and the wired-in runs for 

 cats and kittens thoroughly done out with 

 hot Sanitas distemper every time they are re- 

 quired for fresh occupants. All bedding should 

 be changed at least once a week, and as little 

 of it used as possible in summer. All plates, 

 etc., used for food must be thoroughly washed 

 after each meal. 



" In a space such as I have described my cats 

 have to be kept, for they are allowed into the 

 dwelling-house by special invitation only ; but 

 they each receive this treat at least once during 

 the day. 



"As to the number of queens : two or three are 

 ample where space is so limited. Where the 

 fresh air run is a back yard, blues are the very 

 best of all colours, as with a daily grooming 

 they always look clean and presentable. In a 



space such as we are considering I would not 

 on any account recommend the keeping of a 

 stud cat. The want of necessary exercise 

 would be cruelty to it ; and the very limited 

 surroundings unfair to those who might wish 

 for his services. 



" It is of imperative importance that the 

 queens you commence with be of pure blue 

 pedigree ; if prize-winners so much the better, 

 as their kittens will sell more readily. 



" When mating, be sure that your queen is in 

 perfect health, and do not mate her too young 

 in my opinion twelve months is young 

 enough, in the interest of mother and family. 

 See that the stud cat chosen be also of the 

 best possible strain. That he be a noted prize- 

 winner is of less importance than that he 

 should be able to produce kittens that will win. 

 He must have size, bone, strength, soundness 

 of colour, 

 length of 

 coat, and 

 good eyes. 

 These are 

 indispens- 

 able require- 

 ments if good 

 blues are to 



MRS. COLLINGWOOD AND "JAMES II. 

 (Photo : Alice Hughes, Cower Street.) 



be produced. He should especially be strong 

 in those points where your queen may be 

 somewhat weak ; thus if the queen be de- 

 ficient in length of coat or frill, or in colour, 



