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Our  Canaries 
weight  than  that  of  the  man  who  can  point  to  good,  strong  and  stable  packing 
cases  as  a  sufficient  protection  against  all  ordinary  risks  of  travel.  The  kind 
of  fastener  used  on  the  outer  case  should  be  such  as  will  be  perfectly  secure 
on  the  journey  to  and  fro,  yet  quickly  and  easily  undone  by  anyone  so  as 
not  to  give  unnecessary  trouble  to  show  officials  in  the  hurry  of  unpacking 
and  staging  and  re-packing.  Do  not  use  any  kind  of  tricky  fastening  which 
may  be  a  puzzle  to  others  and  cause  the  loss  of  a  considerable  amount  of 
time  at  the  show ;  then  there  will  be  no  excuse  for  birds  not  being  unpacked 
and  staged  in  time  for  judging. 
THE  FOUR  CARDINAL  POINTS. 
Let    the    prominent    features    of    packing   cases    be  :  stability,  security, 
warmth  and  simplicity.    The  size  of  the  cases  may  be  regulated  by  individual 
THE  CORRECT  WAY  TO  PACK  BIRDS  FOR  A  SHOW— AND  THE  WRONG  WAY. 
requirements,  but  it  will  be  wiser  to  have  several  small  ones  than  one  large 
one.  Cases  made  to  hold  two,  three  and  four  cages  are  most  convenient,  as 
with  these  sizes  any  number  of  exhibits  between  two  and  eight  may  be  sent 
in  two  cases.  Cases  to  hold  two,  three  and  six  cages  will  be  equally  suitable 
for  larger  exhibitors.  Closely-woven  wicker  cases  are  much  lighter  than  wood 
ones,  and  may  be  used  with  advantage  during  the  warmer  months  of  the 
year.  They  should  be  well  lined  with  canvas  or  baize.  A  pocket  should  be 
made  in  the  lining,  preferably  on  the  inside  of  the  lid,  or  a  couple  of  elastic 
bands  placed  across,  and  the  space  plainly  labelled  "  For  Cards."  During  the 
height  of  the  show  season  the  weather  is  more  treacherous  and  severe  and 
wooden  cases  should  be  generally  used.  These  should  be  made  of  quarter-inch 
deal  for  cases  up  to  the  three-cage  size,  three-eighth-inch  boards  for  the  four- 
and  six-cage  size,  and  a  proportionate  increase  in  strength  for  any  larger  size. 
A  few  snips  taken  out  with  a  gouge  round  the  top  will  affi^rd  all  the  ventila- 
tion that  is  required.  A  canvas  pocket  must  be  tacked  on  the  inside  for  the 
reception  of  cards,  or  elastic  bands  substituted.  Elastic  bands  will  accommo- 
date any  size  card  and  hold  it  securely  in  place.     And  it  is  so  simple,  just 
