It is a difficult matter to let our stud cats have their freedom even for a short time or to give them an opportunity for exercise. I have often tethered my torn cat, and for a collar have used a leather garter lined with flannel. One must be careful to give only a sufficient length of cord to allow for safe exercise. No shrubs or trees should be within reach, as this is very risky for pussy's neck.

It is undesirable to keep kittens too long, if profit is to be considered. From eight to twelve weeks kittens are at their best. At about five months most young cats begin to shed their coats and are " leggy" in appearance.

It is so much easier to fill in your cat's pedigree on a properly drawn out pedigree form, and certainly it is pleasanter to receive them. I have had some written-out pedigrees sent to me from which it was impossible even to make sure of one of the parents.

It is a sort of sad satisfaction to know the cause of our pussies' deaths, and therefore I advise fanciers to send the remains to a veterinary for a post-mortem. The knowledge thus acquired may assist in determining the nature of any future illness in the cattery.

It is very annoying when your cat persistently tears out her ruff, more especially if you have entered her for show. I have known fanciers to tie up pussie's hind feet in pieces of wash leather, but this is a most irritating procedure so far as puss is concerned, and in some cases she will not rest till she has got rid of her shoes.

As regards insuring cats travelling by rail, I believe the usual rate is 3d. for each L1 of value. I find that, as long as the hamper is labelled with the insurance ticket, this is a sufficient safeguard against delays and exposure; so that, unless the cat is unusually precious, the payment of threepence is all that is required.

Having recently had occasion to send some valuable cats abroad, I can testify to the courtesy and efficiency of Messrs.

Spratts Limited. A lot of trouble is saved by applying to them for all particulars regarding the shipping of cats to foreign ports.

It is always well to keep a record of the dates and names of visiting queens. I found this useful when receiving a letter from the owner of a mother puss who had a litter of nondescript kittens. The writer was much displeased, and seemed to imply that her queen had been mated with the wrong cat. I referred to my register and found that the kittens were born under the eight weeks from the date of the supposed mating. I therefore felt confident the lady visitor had made other arrangements prior to her arrival at my cattery.

It is always advisable to have an old pair of thick gloves to slip on when one has to handle strange cats. Sometimes the queens, when arriving on a visit, are very terrified on being lifted out of their basket or placed in the cattery, and it is just as well to protect oneself from a bite or a scratch. Care should also be taken when removing a queen from the stud cat, as often he resents the sudden departure of his lady love.

In administering medicine to cats an assistant is very necessary to hold the animal, which should be wrapped round with a towel and the four legs firmly secured. With the thumb and finger of the left hand open the mouth, and with the right put down the medicine. Remember that a cat cannot conveniently swallow more than a teaspoonful of liquid at a time, so if a larger dose is required it must be given by degrees.

It is quite possible to pull grown cats through an attack of influenza, but if kittens catch it, then I recommend owners to have them painlessly put out of their misery, for it is in vain to try and save them. The fever runs so high that the little creatures cannot contend against it.

It may not be generally known that whiskers are the cat's organs of touch. They are attached to glands under the skin, and each of the long hairs is connected with the nerve of the lip. The slightest contact of these whiskers is felt most distinctly by the cat, although the hairs themselves are insensible. Let our young friends remember this, and never torture poor puss by pulling her whiskers.

Nothing is so beneficial to a cat's health as change of air, and fanciers would do well to try and take one or two of their pets with them to the country or seaside. This is especially necessary if you reside in or near any large town.

Try and dispose of your kittens at or about eight weeks old, and be willing to take a rather lower price instead of keeping them till they reach the lanky stage, when their sale is never so easy or satisfactory.

Important to cat fanciers:

" If you your lips would keep from slips, Five things observe with care: Of whom you speak, to whom you speak, And how and when and where! "

Before writing "Finis" to these chapters, let me say how pleased I have been with the many grateful letters I have received telling me that my notes in Our Cats had been of such service. I really had no idea these hints had been so useful and instructive. All these kindly expressions encouraged me to write this handbook and I sincerely hope that it will be the means of forming still further friendships and of forging more closely the links that already bind me to all true lovers of the dear pussy-cats.