GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 



8 



noses, and other bodily ailments being easily traceable to this cause 

 alone ; and where brass-backed feeding tins are used the mice are 

 liable to be poisoned by the verdigris that is sure to be present in 

 unclean vessels. And, again, the mass of insects which soon accu- 

 mulates in a dirty cage is something wonderful. Both dirt and 

 insects will give the mice a rough appearance, and in nearly all 

 cases the animals soon die if kept as we have described. The 

 smell they cause in a dirty state is almost intolerable, and there ia 

 little doubt that, instead of being admired, the animals will be voted 

 a perfect nuisance. 



In the first place, it is necessary to thoroughly scald out the 

 feeding tins at least three times a week, and scrape out the open part 

 of the cage every day, putting in a handful of bran and sawdust in 

 equal parts. This should be done before feeding, so that the whole 

 shall be clean at once. Fresh hay should be put into the nest places 

 once a week, if there are no young litters ; but should there be any 

 young mice, the nest should not be interfered with until they run 

 about the cage. Besides scraping and dusting the insides of the 

 cages frequently, as we have advised, they (the cages) should be 

 thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed out with boiling water once a month, 

 being very careful that the water penetrates every crevice, or most 

 undesirable insects are liable to congregate together, to the great 

 detriment of the animals. We used to make it a rule to add one per 

 cent, of carbolic acid in the water, and not return the mice to the 

 cage for a week after it was scalded out, and by this means perfect 

 immunity from unpleasant smells was secured. This, of course, 

 would necessitate the use of extra cages, but this is rather an advan- 

 tage than otherwise, as greater cleanliness can be insured. 



Before the does litter it is advisable to mix a quantity of cottoQ 

 wool amongst the hay in the nest box, so that the nest can be 

 arranged by the mice to their own satisfaction, and, as is sometimes 

 the case, if the doe removes it to the open part of the cage, it 

 should be carefully put back into the nest place. She will then take 

 to it at once, without again removing it, as a rule. 



The best place in which to keep the cages is a loft, where plenty of 

 air can be admitted, or in a rabbit hutch out of doors, as the smell 

 is then less than it would be in an indoor place ; but in all cases care 

 should be taken to avoid damp or excessively cold situations, for 

 although in a wild state mice are perfectly hardy, yet in a domesticated 

 condition they are liable to suffer from cold and damp, and become 

 asthmatical, rough in the coat, and generally out of condition ; and 

 when in this state they are of little value and there is but small 

 pleasure in looking at them. A certain amount of warmth is 

 necessary to maintain them in the best condition, particularly in 

 winter, and size is much influenced by this alone, a chill when the 

 young ones are but imperfectly clothed with fur being at times fatal, 

 and if not fatal, is apt to cause them to remain of small size, to the 

 depreciation of their monetary value. To keep mice well, care and 

 cleanliness are as necessary as they are with dogs and other animals, 

 although to a lesser extent so far as labour is concerned. 



