New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-26
MACK CATS FOR PROFIT.

new industry is always interesting And IL
Is especially attractive IL it shows great POSSIBLE
ties and hints of perhaps becoming source OF
National wealth There comes at this time from
the new State of Washington report of such
an industry We refer to the black-cat ranch
lust established at Fairhavcn by the Consolidated
Black Cat Company, Limited.
We trust that our readers will understand that
the organization of this company is fact Mr.
James Warder OF Farhaven, is president The
names of the other officers are not given In the
San Francisco dispatch which brings the inteli-
eence, but the plan and object of the company are
quite fully explained The company has bought
an island in Puget Sound and is already taking
steps to secure all Of the blacks cats in the
ncohborhood Several carloads will be shipped
from San Francisco next week. The cats VIII
all be placed on the island and shelter provided
for them An island is selected in preference to
the mainland that the cats may be kept separate
from others and the pure black cat propagated.
Men will be employed to take care of the cats
and TO feed them regularly three times day.
They will live mostly Oh fish caught in the sur
rounding waters, SO the expense of keeping them
will be small We should bear in mind that eats
are extremely fond Of fish and invariably thrive
on it, During the day the cats will wander
about the island, sun themselves on the rocks or
lie in the shade of the trees. as the condition Of
the weather may dictate. An hour before sun
down the men will go out and gradually scat them
into their quarters. The natural tendency of the
cat is of course TO roam about at night, and to
howl in heartrending key, and fight others Of
its species with great eisor. This undoubtedly
improves both the voice and fighting qualities Of
the animal but as the Consolidated Company is not
raising its cats for either their vocal belliger-
cnt qualities, it is thought best to inclose them
at night if the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animal Is does not interfere. In round
ing up the cats at night the men will not be al
| lowed to use bootjac other missiles usually
employed in the treatment Of these animals, and
| no dog will be allowed on the island
| OF course it is entirely too early for any very
valuable speculation as to the probable financial
success of the company. After it has placed its
first shipment of black cat.skns on the market
perhaps some definite conclusion can be arrived
at in this regard. Ii is new industry. but that
is no proof that IL may not be brilliant success
There is always a considerable demand for black
cat-skins in certain parts Of Missouri and Arkan-
| sas for medical use, plaster made on the hide
side OF the skin Of black eat killed in the dark
of the moon being greatly esteemed by many local
practitioners, but the home supply probably fully
meets the demand. A general demand must he
created. In some respects the time seems To be
| ripe for the Consolidated Black Cat Company,
Limited. For instance, the seal is becoming cx-
| tinct, and though this season appear TO
have taken up largely with rooster feathers the
clip. or perhaps we should say. the pul-out or the