570 
Mr. Page McPherson, of St. Louis, Mo., writes us that one 
of Graves’ incubators exploded at the residence of Mr, Wm. 
B. Collins, of Bridgton, Mo., which took fire and burned to 
the ground. No further particulars are given. 

Jos. M. Wave, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Dear Sir: Through the exchange column of your ‘ gem 
of a paper’”’ I have disposed of the chicks advertised. One 
insertion was enough, the other, those that are paid for, you 
need not put in; but youcan call our account balanced. Wm. 
P. Atkinson, Esq., of Erie, Pa., was the purchaser. I bought 
o «r htitydozen eggs from the above-named gentleman 
during the past season. Lach sitting turned out as-repre_ 
sented, and giving perfect satisfaction. He packs in quite 
large box; hay in bottom, with paste-board partition in cen. 
tre for each egg. Wraps each egg in cotton, and around that 
paper; on top ofall hay again. Out of all the eggs received 
only one was broken, and I think that was through my own 
carelessness. I here you say enough of this, so I will stop. 
Yours respectfully, 
Oi Crry, Pa., Lock Box 1558. E. T. M. Simmons. 


Smate Pet Department. 
4a All communications and contributions intended for this depart- 
ment should be addressed to HOWARD I. IRELAND, 318 Stevens Street, 
Camden, N, J., or care of JosepH M. WADE, 39 North Ninth St., Philada. 

FATAL SICKNESS AMONG DOGS. 
BY JAMES 8. BAILEY, M.D. 
Havine lost by sickness and death several valuable 
blooded Scotch terriers, all of which died from nearly the 
same symptoms, viz : A general shrinking in flesh, loss of 
appetite, dry tongue without thirst, paroxysms of pain com- 
ing on every ten or fifteen minutes, manifested by whining, 
succeeded by prostration, coolness of the temperature of the 
body, followed by death, I determined after the fourth 
death, to verify my diagnosisby a post-mortem inspection, 
which was made in’the presence of several medical gen- 
tlemen. 
Thorax was inspected, and every organ found in perfect 
health. 
Abdomen.—The mucous coats of the intestines exhibited 
traces of acute inflammation, with ulcerated points through- 
out the small intestines, some of which came near perfora- 
tion. 
Head.—In removing the skulleap, the meninges of the 
brain were found somewhat congested, otherwise the brain 
substance was quite healthy. 
Remarks.—This disease showed similar lesions to typhoid 
fever in the human subject, but there was not as much 
emaciation as would have been noticeable for the duration 
of the sickness, viz., three weeks. JI regret now exceedingly 
a careful examination was not made of the dead bodies of 
the other dogs. In all of my experience in rearing dogs 
for many years, I have never had the luck to lose so many 
valuable specimens within the space of three months. There 
is no assignable cause, as they were plentifully and regularly 
fed. They were allowed their liberty in a spacious yard, 
which was kept scrupulously clean. 
Treatment.—A supporting plan was adopted, with ano- 
dynes to relieve pain. If others have had similar experi- 
ence would be glad to know it. 

FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
RABBIT KEEPING. 
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In writing a series of articles on rabbit keeping, I know 
of my inability to do the subject justice, but, however, I 
will endeavor as best I can to give what information I have 
and ean obtain. 
I will now give a description of the most common breeds, 
The Madagascar or Lop-eared.—The first and most impor- 
tant feature is, of course, that which gives name to the 
breed, viz., ‘‘earage,’’? and in this even length is not the 
only desired quality. A first-class: breeding doe should have 
her ears measure nineteen or twenty inches in length, and 
five in width. They should be soft, thin, and flexible; should 
hang as if folded in two, with the edges close to corner of 
the eye. In a broken color, no matter what the color is, 
the main or body color should spread evenly and richly over 
the back, hips, and loins, extending as far up towards the 
head as the shoulders; here it should be broken by an irregu- 
|lar line of white, dotted with the main color, forming the 
fancied resemblance to the links of a chain, and it conse- 
quently has been given the latter name. This chain should 
extend downward and backward, forming an edging of white, 
while the animal is in repose, between the main color and 
the floor, and should extend to a point about three-fourths of 
the way between the fore and hind legs. The hind legs, 
from the second joint to the toe, should be pure white, the 
belly and breast should be white also, coverints the under 
side of the jaw, with a narrow stripe reaching almost but not’ 
quite to the bridge of the nose, about one-eighth of the dis- 
tance between the nostril and forehead, leaving a dark patch 
on both sides of the upper lip and on the end of the nose, 
very like the extended wings of the butterfly, and conse- 
quently called the ‘‘ butterfly smut.’’ 
There should be a narrow blaze of white on the forehead ; 
this with the forelegs and underside of the tail completes the 
list of points which should be of the virgin color. 
In aself-color the only requirement is that the color should 
extend the same all over the subject, without any shadings 
whatever, and have throughout a beautiful gloss, which in 
the blacks and dark colors shines like the finest silk. 
The next point to be considered is ‘carriage.”’ 
The rabbit should be upright, the legs spread well apart, 
the back curved, the eye full and protruding, and the whole 
ensemble of the animal being one of life and vigor. 
The Angoras.—In color there are white, gray, blue, black 
and white, and fawn; the white being most common, and 
the fawn most beautiful and rare. They are a medium 
sized animal, with erect ears, in weight about five pounds, 
the fur is long, fine, and silky ; they are said to be more gre- 
garious than other breeds, living together in perfect har- 
