The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-08-19

| American, and addressed TO Dr.
Nansen, which he has promised 10 de.
liver in case they should happen to
meet.
100000 Worth OF Cats.
A cat farm This will certainly y
strike most people as novel industry
Few, probably, are aware that such
an establishment is in successful
operation in one of the suburbs of
Boston, and is paying large dividends
to those interested in the venture. 1t
bears the euphonious title of Walnut
Ridge Farm.
Owing to the growing demand, the
Walnut Ridge establishment has its
hands full in supplying the orders
which pour in every day, and the
breeding of the animals promises to
become general. Exactly 1850 cats
of various ages were shipped from this
place last year, declares the Washing
| ton Star statistician, an average of
nearly 100 a month, or more than
three day. The amount received for
the consignments footed up nearly
$40, 900, and this year the business is
expected to increase at least 60 per
cent. Just as other fads, fashions
change in regard to breed of cats, and
ADgoras are now the rage. This va
riety, being comparatively rare has
attained correspondingly high posi-
tion in the esteem of those able to
afford such luxuries; society demands
thoroughbred animals. This country
has been little backward in introduc-
ing the Angora, and until recently
they have not been within the 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. It is said that their hair grows
longer and is much brighter, and that
in every way the American Angora is
superlative animal.
The Angora cat, as it's name indi-
Gates, comes from Angora, in Western
Asia-a province which is also cele-
brated for it's long-haired goat. This
breed is in high favor with the Turks
and Armenians, the best commanding
great price. The prime points of
excellence are small head, with nose
not too long; large, full eyes, Of a
color in harmony with that of its fur
ears rather large and pointed, with a
tuft Of hair at the apex-the size not
showing, as they are deeply set in the
long hair on the forehead very full
flowing name about the head and neck.
This latter should not be short; neith-
er should the body, which should be
graceful and elegant and covered with
silky hair, with slight mixture of
wolliness. In this it differs from the
Persian cat. In texture the hair
should be as fine as possible and not
so woolly as that of the Russian cat !;
the legs of moderate length; the tail
long, curving upwards 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.
Angora cats are very playful and
make delightful pets, as they are very
intelligent. There is something very
surprisingly aristocratic and imposing
in their appearance. In feeding the
kittens particular attention must be
given to have the food clean and
wholesome; warm milk and oatmeal is
what should be given principally,
though cats can be fed on most any
thing that is good.
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, prettily marked mixed ones
seem to be in the greatest demand.
The prices vary, ranging as follows !:
The best full-grown, male or female,
$40 to s25; second, s5 to $40; kittens,
50 to $40 each, either sex. The solid
colors are much more expensive than
the mixed, though many prefer the
latter.
Half of the Angoras raised now are
not strictly thoroughbreds there are
scarcely 20 breeders in this country
who have the fine imported stock to
raise kittens from.
However, it must not be supposed
that Angoras alone have the call on
public favor. The Persian cat is also
very popular. 1t differs from the
Angora chiefly in that it's tail is larger
and the hair fuller and coarser at the
end. The eyes should be large, full
and round, with a soft expression.
The Persian is longer in body than
the Angora and apparent y more
strongly made, yet slender and elegant
and exceedingly graceful in all its
movements. The ,colors comprise al
most every tint obtainable in cats.
Another popular variety is the Rus
sian. The principal characteristics
are the unusually large body and rela-
lively short legs. It's habits are pecu-
liar and not at all like the common
short-leggcd cat. The Tabby cat is
chiefly remarkable on account of the
variety of colors in it's coat. The
name "tabby" has reference to its
peculiar markings, being derived from
a word meaning ribbed silk. The
Abyssinian cat is included in the
tabby variety. 1t is believed that
this breed is identical with the Egyp-
tian cat, which was worshiped so many
centuries ago, and the mummies OF
which are so numerous.
The Manx cat is curious creature.
1t lacks that appendage which enables
it's brothers to alight upon their feet,
no matter from what distance they
may be dropped. In other words, it
has no tail-the best breeds none at
all, and even the less aristocratic not
enough to measure off an inch on the
tape line. The creature runs more
like hare than a cat.