The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-25
CATS IN PLACE Of CATTLE.
WHERE FELINES OF CHOICEST
BREEDS ARE REARED.
AngOras the ArIstOcrats-POints and
Prices, PcrsiRns, Russians, Abys-
sinIans and other Fashionable Va

From the New Orleans Times-Democrat
New York. June IA cat farmi This
VIII certainly strike most people as a
novel industry.
Few. probably. are aware that such an
establishment Is IN successful operation in
one OF the suhurs Of Boston. and is pay
ing large dividends 10 those interested IN
the venture. Il bears the euphonious IL
tie OF Walnut Ridge Farm.
The cat fad is rapidly spreading In this
country. In France a Is the basis OF a
very profitable industry. having been ear
ried on for two OF three centuries; indeed
the French have long supplied the mar
kets OF the world with the tiniest speci-
mems of cats OF the long-halred variety.
although England IS more famous as a
general market. Numerous exhibitions
have been held IN Crystal palace. London
in which royalty, as wen as the working
classes. have shown these beautiful pets
The fever has now reached our own
shores. and the public have been treated
to several cat shows. The first national
exhibition held last May in Madison
Square Garden, New York city. had more
than 800 members of the feline race on
benches. Society has impressed upon the
tad the seal OF approval and IL Is now wei
on the way TO great possibilities. Boston
was recently treated 10 n display Of these
pets IN the Mechanics building.
But 70 recur 20 our cat farm. Owing to
the growing demand the Walnut Ridge
establishment has its hands full In sup
plying the orders which pour In every day,
and the breeding of the animal promises
TO become general. Exactly $50 cats
OF various ages were shipped from this
place last year; an average OF nearly 100
a month, or more than three a day. Tho
amount received for the consignments
footed nearly $4,000, and this year the
business Is expected to Increase at least
Co per cent. Just as in other fads. fash
ions change In regard to the breed OF cats,
and Angoras are now the rage. This va
riety, being comparatively rare, has at
tanned correspondingly high position in
the esteem OF those able TO AFFORD such
luXurles; society demands thoroughbred
animals. This country has been little
backward in Introducing the Angora, ana
until recently they have not been within
reach OF the public Not only was the cost
OF importing them very considerable, but
the risk incurred in bringing the animal
to this climate was great. But now they
have become very hardy here. 1t is said
that their hair grows longer and Is much
brighter. and that In every way the Amer
lean Angora is n superlative animal.
The Angora cat, as its names Indicates,
comes from Angora, in Western Asia.
province which Is also celebrated for it's
long-haired goat This breed Is In high
favor with the Turks and Armenians, the
best commanding a great price. The prime
points Of excellence are small head, with
nose not 100 long, luEEtt tull eyes OF 4
color In harmony with that of its fur;
ears rather large and pointed, with turf
of hair at the apeX-the size not showing
as they are deeply set IN the long hair on
the forehead; a very full flowing name
about the head and neck. This latter
should not be short; neither should the
body, which should be graceful and ele-
CANT, and covered with silky hair with q
slight mixture Of WOoliness. In this IL
differs from the Persian cat In texture
the hair should be as fine as possible, and
r4f.f en- fan1r a Of IA ian faflf
the legs Of moderate length; the tail long,
curving upward slightly toward the end.
the hair very long at the base and less
toward the tip. The colors OF these cats
are quite varied pure white, with blue
eyes. being regarded as perfection.
In breeding the greatest care is taken
in 80 mating the progenitors that the on
spring will not only develop all the valu-
able points of its kind, but also be strong
and hardy. The main object Sc TO secure
kittens having extra long, soft, silky hair,
with large bushy tails and big bright eyes.
The hair is very even, being prettily curl
ed upon the body, and about the neck is
a lovely rufiie, like a collar. Angora cats
are very playful and make delightful pets,
as they are very intelligent There Is
something surprisingly aristocrauc and
imposing in their appearance. In feeding
The kittens particliiar attention must be
given to have the food clean and whole
some warm milk and oatmeal Is what
should be given principally, though cats
can be fed on most anything that Is good
| They are sometimes fed on cooked meat
in very small quantities, but this diet
is rather heating, and causes the skin TO
get hard and the hair to lose It's lustre
Angoras are good ratters, and ordinarily
get quite enough meat In that manner"
OF the Angora cat there are more than
eight varieties; solid black, solid yellow
solid gray, solid white, black and white,
yellow and white, maltese, tortoise-shell
and various mixed colOrs-indeed pretti-
ly marked mixed ones seem 10 be In the
greatest demand. The prices vary, rang
ing. as follows: The best fun grown, male
or female, $40 to SIS; second. IS to so; kit
ten, 20 so each, either sex. Pairs, cats
| closely mated for breeding, the best $25
others, S15 and $50: kittens the best, 500
others, $40 and SIS. A really fine specimen
| that will give entire satisfaction may be
| bought for s. The solid colors are much
more expensive than the mixed, yet many
An expert on the subject states that
| in Angora cat breeding 1t Is wise to keep
only the finest specimens. II Is a mistake
10 try to rear all the litter. Never should
| more than four kittens be allowed to
| nurse. Too many breeders strive for num-
! bers and quantities. rather than for quail
| ity and value. Half Of the Angoras rails
| cd now are not strictly thoroushbreds I;
| there are scarcely twenty breeders in this
| country who have the fine imported stock
The training of the Angora depends
! largely upon the person in charge. It re-
/ quires Dafience though the kitten is quick
| to learn Some cunning tricks are the fol-
I lowing: Lying down, sitting up, giving
| the paw kissing, jumping the rope, cry
!
| the many charming qualities Of the An
| CORA is its affectionate and loving dispo-
| stion
However, 1t must not be supposed that
| Angoras alone have the call on public IA
| vor The Persian cat Is also very popular
| 1t differs from the Angora chiefly in that
1 its tail is larger, and the hair fuller and
| coarser at the end. The eyes should be
large, full and round, with a soft ex-
| preston. The Persian is longer in body
/ than the Angora, and apparently more
| strongly made; yet slender and elegant,
| and exceedingly graceful in all It's move
ments The colors comprise almost every
| tint obtainable in cats.
Another popular variety is the Russian
The principal characteristics are the I'M
usually large body and relatively short
| legs Its habits are peculiar, and not at all
like the common short legged cat. The
Tabby cat is chiefly remarkable on ac-
count OF the variety OF colors in It's coat
The name 'ftabby' has reference to its
peculiar markings, being derived from a
word meaning ribbed silk. The Abyssin-
ian cat is included in the tabby variety It
Is believed that this breed is identical with
the Egyptian cat, which was worshipped
so many centuries ago, and the mummies
Of which are so numerous.
The Manx cat IS a curious creature. 1t
lacks that appendage which enables ITS
brothers TO alight upon their feet no mat
ter from what distance they may be drop
ned In other words ft has no tafl-the