SOME NOTABLE CATTERIES.
Before entering upon a description of the various breeds, it may be
interesting to my readers to give a short account, with illustrations
(photographs for which have been specially taken for this chapter), of
the catteries of some well-known fanciers who have not confined
themselves to any special breed or variety.
Lady Decies’ catteries, at her pretty summer residence at
Birchington-on-Sea, are indeed most perfect in their arrangements, and
every detail for the comfort and well-being of the inmates is
considered. The stud cats have separate single houses, with good-sized
wired-in runs, and luxurious and cosy sleeping apartments in the rear.
The main cattery is in a sheltered portion of the grounds, and will
accommodate a large number of cats. The runs are arranged with boxes,
benches, chairs, and ladders, and the sleeping places, built of brick,
are most comfortably fitted up. By a system of wooden blinds the strong
sea breezes and the bright rays of the summer sun can be regulated.
There are side blinds and top blinds. The floors of the spacious
catteries are wood, covered with cork carpet, and they are raised about
a foot from the ground, so that there is a free current of air passing
under the boards, thus securing absolute freedom from any damp.
In the house there are three rooms set apart by Lady Decies for her
pussies. In two of these the queen mothers have their families, and the
other is used as the cats’ kitchen. The beds for the cats are specially
designed by Lady Decies. The walls of the cats’ rooms are adorned with
pictures by Louis Wain, and there is a display of prize cards won by
Lady Decies’ famous cats. “Zaida,” so well known as the winning silver
female, is the privileged occupant of Lady Decies’ boudoir, and here the
aristocratic little lady makes herself at home on the soft cushions and
couches.
The famous “Lord Southampton” is now in the possession of Lady Decies,
and resides in one of the up-to-date catteries at Beresford Lodge. He
was purchased at a very high price. Since his change of ownership he has
not frequently appeared in public, but in the past he was a noted
winner. It is, however, as a silver sire that he attained his success
and made his name. It is well-nigh impossible to mention his numerous
winning children. His name in a pedigree is a safe guarantee for quality
and colour.
The two Siamese cats have warm quarters in the stable cottage.
Lady Decies’ pets comprise both long- and short-haired cats. Among the
latter “Xenophon” is generally considered as the best specimen of a
brown tabby, and has a long prize-winning record. A woman and a boy are
kept to attend to the wants of these aristocratic animals.
The Bishopsgate cattery may be said to have won a worldwide renown, and
those who have been privileged to visit the ideal residence of Lady
Marcus Beresford will agree with me that it is impossible to give any
idea either by photography or description of the delightful dwelling
places set apart for the pussies belonging to this true lover and
fancier of the feline race.
There is the cat cottage, where the attendant has her rooms, and where
the other apartments are especially fitted up for the cats. Here the
Siamese have their quarters, and the sun streams in at the windows,
which face due south. Opposite to the cottage, as may be seen in the
illustration, are some of the cat houses, and in the centre is the
kitchen. The cat attendant stands at the door, and some of the pussies
are having their midday meal. The celebrated “Blue Boy II.” occupies a
house, and in the background is a grass run, securely wired in, which is
used as a playground for the pussies. In the hot summer weather this is
shaded by the lovely spreading beech trees of Windsor Park.
The stud cats’ houses are splendidly arranged with sleeping places and
nice large runs. The space in the centre in front of these runs is used
as an exercise ground for the females and kittens. The garden-house
cattery is, indeed, an ideal one, being a bower of roses in the
summer-time, and in winter an ivy-clad retreat. This house is divided
into two apartments, and these are generally used for the queen mothers
and their families. On the shelves along the windows the pussies sit and
sun themselves.
Truly the lives of inmates of the Bishopsgate catteries are spent in
peace and plenty, and when their little span of life is over they find a
resting place under the shadow of the grand old trees, and a little
white tombstone with a loving inscription marks the spot of pussy’s last
long sleep.
Lady Marcus Beresford has had almost every breed of cat under the sun at
her catteries, but of recent years she has specially taken up silvers,
blues, and Siamese, and a grand specimen of each of these varieties is
in the stud at Bishopsgate. Amongst some of the celebrated cats owned by
Lady Marcus Beresford I may mention “Lifeguard,” a grand orange of
massive build; “Tachin” and “Cambodia,” two imported Siamese with
perfect points; “Cora,” a tortoiseshell-and-white of great beauty, and
“Kismet,” a brown tabby of exquisite shape, both imported; and “Cossy,”
a smoke that has found a home in America. At the present time three of
the most notable inmates of the Bishopsgate cattery, representing blues,
silvers, and Siamese, are “Blue Boy II.,” “Beetle,” and “King of Siam.”
[Illustration:
BISHOPSGATE, GENERAL VIEW.
]
[Illustration:
CATS’ EXERCISE GROUND.
]
[Illustration:
THE STUD CATS’ HOUSES.
]
[Illustration:
CAT COTTAGE AND KITCHEN.
]
SCENES AT “BISHOPSGATE.”
(_Photos: Cassell & Company, Limited._)
One of the largest catteries in Scotland, where the fancy grows apace,
is owned by Mrs. Mackenzie Stewart, of Seagate House, Irvine. Mrs.
Stewart has possessed several notable cats of different breeds. Her blue
stud cat “Ronald” has made himself a name in the south of England as
well as in the north. Mrs. Stewart has had silvers, creams, brown
tabbies, and is now the owner of the celebrated black stud cat “Dick
Fawe,” who has sired many winning kittens. The severe weather of this
part of Scotland seems to suit these Persian cats, for a healthier,
hardier set of pussies one could not wish to see than those disporting
themselves in the pleasantly situated catteries of Seagate House. Mrs.
Mackenzie Stewart is a most enthusiastic fancier, and often takes the
long journey down South to bring her pets to the London shows. She has
acted as judge in Scotland and England, and a contingent from the
Seagate cattery is generally to be seen and admired at most of our large
shows.
[Illustration:
A SLEEPING BOX IN LADY DECIES’ CATTERY.
(_Photo: Cassell & Company, Limited._)
]
To old fanciers and exhibitors the name of Mrs. H. Warner is familiar.
It was as Mrs. Warner, in 1889, that the Hon. Mrs. McLaren Morrison
first exhibited a black cat called “Imp” at the Crystal Palace Show; and
as black cats are said to bring luck, this puss took a first, and, thus
encouraged, his owner commenced her “catty” career. In the following
year, I note, by the catalogue, that Mrs. H. Warner had fourteen
entries, and amongst these were two imported cats and the celebrated
black Persian “Satan,” who departed this life in 1902. As late as 1897
this superb fellow, with glorious orange eyes, won everything he could
(in spite of his age) at the Crystal Palace. There remains a worthy son
of this worthy sire at the Kepwick cattery, named “Lucifer.”
[Illustration:
LADY DECIES VISITING HER PETS.
(_Photo: Cassell & Company, Limited._)
]
It was in 1890 that Mrs. McLaren Morrison, then Mrs. H. Warner, made her
name as an exhibitor of white Persians; for no less than six of this
breed put in an appearance, and gained prizes at Sydenham. Mrs. McLaren
Morrison writes:
“I have always been lucky with black cats, both long- and short-haired;
but I especially love white Persians, and, in fact, at one time I owned
a ‘white cattery.’ I may say I still have some good specimens—namely,
‘Musefer,’ ‘Queen of the Pearls,’ and ‘Lily.’ I love the imported cats,
and always get them when I can. I have nine now at Kepwick. One of these
hails from Patagonia and one from Afghanistan. My cattery at one time
was twice again as full as now; but my losses have been great, and I
have reduced the numbers so that I may give more attention to the young
stock.
“It is only recently I have really gone in for orange Persians,
encouraged by the wins of ‘Puck’ at the Botanical. I love this beautiful
variety, but consider the queens of this breed very delicate. I have
owned some fine blues at different times, and purchased for £25 a
beautiful fellow, bred from ‘Beauty Boy,’ at the Crystal Palace many
years ago; but, alas! he came home only to die. Foremost amongst my
blues ranked my late Champion ‘Monarch,’ who held the Beresford Cup. Of
late years I have taken up silvers. My first Chinchilla was Champion
‘Nizam,’ ancestor of such cats as ‘St. Anthony’ and ‘Ameer.’ I bought
‘Nizam’ at the Crystal Palace in the early days of silvers, and he only
took second prize, because, I was assured, he was ‘too light’ for first.
I have a few Russians. I am most devoted to my pussies, and have tried
to persevere in breeding good stock in the face of very great
difficulties. I do not much care about running the risk of showing, but
a true fancier likes to support all well-arranged cat shows.”
[Illustration:
MRS. MACKENZIE STEWART’S CATTERY.
]
Mrs. Collingwood, of Leighton Buzzard, is a most ardent lover of cats,
but it is only of recent years that she has been before the public as a
fancier and exhibitor. During this time, however, many have been the
honours showered on the lucky inmates of the Bossington cattery.
Mrs. Collingwood has great difficulty, so she tells me, in keeping her
number of cats down to about thirty! She likes these to be equally
divided between long- and short-haired pussies; so there are all sorts
and varieties. Blues have been great favourites, and Mrs. Collingwood is
on the Blue Persian Cat Society Committee. “Royal Bobs,” a big, massive
blue male, has done a lot of winning. He was bred by the Princess
Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein. His sister “Jill” also inhabits one of
the twelve cat houses distributed over five acres of the Bossington
grounds. These smaller houses are mostly on wheels. The larger houses
are kept for females and their families, and sometimes a corner of the
hay-loft is set apart for a nursing mother. The male cats have their
liberty during the morning, and then the females enjoy their afternoons
out. Mrs. Collingwood does not keep a stud cat, but there are neuter
pets that have their run about the house, and have their meals in a
corner of the dining-room. Mrs. Collingwood intends going in strongly
for smokes in the future; and although possessed of extremely good
short-haired cats, this ambitious fancier is desirous of breeding a
perfect silver tabby and a likewise equally perfect orange tabby.
“James” is a beautiful specimen of a silver tabby, and during this year
alone has won eight first prizes. At Altrincham he had the honour of
claiming championship and silver medal for the best cat in the show,
beating all the long-haired cats that generally carry off this coveted
prize; and at the Crystal Palace he was the admired of all admirers,
with a number of prize tickets covering his pen. I know many cat-loving
people, but I do not think I have ever seen greater devotion shown to
the feline race than is displayed at Bossington. Mrs. Collingwood is
ever ready to support cat shows by entries, by guaranteeing classes, and
by giving handsome prizes. Her cats are always shown in the pink of
condition, and it is seldom they appear in the pens unless their devoted
mistress is in attendance. Mrs. Collingwood kindly had the accompanying
photographs specially taken for this chapter.
Perhaps no name is better known in the cat world than that of Mrs.
Herring, of Lestock House, Lee, who has for nearly twenty years been a
prominent fancier and breeder of both long- and short-haired cats. Mrs.
Herring is a member of the National Cat Club Committee, and also belongs
to several of the specialist clubs, and is a member of the Cat Club and
the Northern Counties Cat Club. At all the principal shows this
enthusiastic lady is a prominent figure, and in the quantity and quality
of her exhibits she generally leads the way.
[Illustration:
THE IMITATION TREE, MRS. CLARKE’S CATTERY.
(_Photo: Mrs. S. F. Clarke._)
]
At some of our large shows Mrs. Herring has entered from 25 to 30 cats;
and I have known and seen these arrive with their mistress in a large
omnibus or van. It is no light undertaking to prepare such a number of
pussies for show, and then to convey them carefully to the place of
exhibition.
Mrs. Herring started with a short-haired silver tabby called “Chin,” and
then turned her attention to long-haired brown tabbies; and although
every variety of cat, both long- and short-haired, may be said to have
existed from time to time in the Lestock catteries, yet it is with
tabbies perhaps that Mrs. Herring has chiefly made her name and fame.
Champion “Jimmy” was a superb specimen of a well-marked silver tabby,
and he carried everything before him in the show pen. He passed away in
1900, and I do not think we shall see his like again.
Amongst many celebrities in the feline world which have been born or
bred, or have found their habitation at the Lestock cattery, I may
mention “King Saul,” the noted tortoiseshell tom who still holds a
unique position at our shows, and won the Coronation Cup at the
Botanical show. “King Alfred,” a long-haired silver tabby, and “King
David,” a massive blue, are also well-known winners of the present day.
Mrs. Herring bred some sensational silver tabby long-haired kittens, and
two of these—“The Duchess” and “Princess Lestock”—were exhibited
respectively at the Westminster and Crystal Palace shows, and both were
speedily claimed at the high catalogue price. “Floriana,” a huge,
handsome long-haired brown tabby, who formerly belonged to Mrs. Herring,
has recently found a home in America. Siamese and Russian cats have not
been strangers to this cattery, where sometimes the number of inmates
has been over forty! Within the last few years Mrs. Herring has had to
reduce her stock, owing to the complaints of neighbours, who showed no
sympathy with the feline race, and some excellent, well-arranged cat
houses had to be removed, as they somewhat encroached on a neighbouring
garden wall. It must have been a trying time, and the weeding-out
process a most difficult one, for such a really warm-hearted and devoted
fancier as Mrs. Herring, whose pussies are all pets, and who personally
supervises her cattery at Lestock House.
[Illustration:
MRS. CLARKE’S CATTERY.
(_Photo: Mrs. S. F. Clarke._)
]
It is not given to all, particularly in large towns, to have at their
disposal such an amount of waste space as their more fortunate brethren
of the country. I have therefore asked Mrs. S. F. Clarke, whose cat
photographs have been a delight to all our readers, to tell us how she
manages in her town residence at Louth. Here are her notes.
BREEDING BLUE PERSIANS IN LIMITED SPACE.
“The successful breeding of blue Persian cats in a space so limited that
a grass run or green trees are things to be desired rather than
attained, requires nice judgment and great care. The space at my command
for cat keeping and breeding purposes is only a back yard, some 14 yards
long by 6 yards wide. This very limited space is further curtailed, on
one side, by my husband’s laboratory; while the cattery and its covered
run cut off another strip at the end, of 7 yards by 2 yards, reducing
the ground available for open air exercise and run to a patch about 18
feet by 12 feet, and a flagged portion some 21 feet by 6 feet.
“The space between the front of the laboratory and the flagged path
being occupied by a small independent house and covered run, is very
useful either for isolation or as a separate home for growing kittens.
The boundary wall is supported by 4-foot wire netting supported by
3-foot iron stanchions, thus allowing a free edge at the top of about 12
inches to be bent _inwards_ and left _loose_. This I find a sufficient
safeguard against my own cats getting out or strange cats getting in—a
very important matter at all times, but especially so at certain
periods, if breeds are to be kept pure and pussy not allowed to make her
own arrangements.
[Illustration:
THE HON. MRS. McLAREN MORRISON.
(_Photo: Esmé Collings, Hove._)
]
“If I were asked for the very best design for building, fitting up, and
furnishing a small cattery, I fear I could only answer that requirements
differ so in individual cases that it is impossible to draw a
hard-and-fast line that will meet all circumstances. Here is a photo of
my own (p. 107). It is the outcome of my personal experience, and
answers my requirements fairly well. It is a lean-to structure, about 7
yards long by 2 yards wide. The back and one end is formed by the north
and west boundary walls, while the east end joins the dwelling-house,
thus giving it a south aspect and complete shelter from north and east
winds. It is divided into two unequal portions, the smaller (east)
portion, 6 feet by 6 feet, forming the cat house proper; the longer
portion is the covered run. The front of the house is built of 1-inch
wood, with a lining of wood leaving an air space of about 3 inches
between the outer and inner surface of the front and dividing partition.
The roof is of corrugated iron, with a ceiling of wood about 4 inches
below. This arrangement of double walls and roof secures reasonable
warmth in the winter, but not quite sufficient coolness for mothers and
kittens during the height of the summer. So the roof is then covered
with a large white sheet hooked to the wall about 12 inches above the
roof and carried over a rail in front about the same height, and there
securely fastened. This arrangement insures not only a reasonable
temperature, but also a never-ending source of exercise and amusement
for both cats and kittens, some gambolling above, while others hide
beneath the sheet. An ordinary sun blind along the front completes the
summer arrangements. The front of the covered run is closed in with inch
mesh wire netting from ground to roof, fitted on the inside with
removable shutters, 18 inches high, and, above these, removable
window-sashes, closing in as desired. These are held in place with
turn-buttons, so they are easily removed or replaced in a couple of
minutes, a great convenience in wet or changeable weather, and proving
very cosy in the winter. The run is fitted with shelves for the cats to
lie upon, a table, sleeping boxes, earth pans, two chairs, and an
artificial tree covered with cork, which is a source of great pleasure
when the cats are confined by bad weather to the run. The open run
consists, as before mentioned, of a space about 18 feet by 12 feet; this
is covered with gravel (which in such limited space should be renewed at
least once a year), with the exception of a strip some 18 inches wide by
6 feet long on the west side, and two small corners on the east side,
_reserved for grass_. This grass reserve, which is most important for
the keeping of Persian cats in good health, is renovated every spring
with fresh lawn seed, and should either of the patches suffer unduly
from special attentions from the pets, it is wired in so as to protect
it until it recovers. By this plan my cats secure a supply of grass all
the year round. In the centre of the gravel space I have another
artificial tree (_see_ photo), about 8 feet high; it is as great a
favourite as the one in the run, and as it is hung with a loose cord, a
few ping-pong balls, etc., it is a never-ending source of fun and
frolic. To supplement the ground space, I place ladders leading to the
tops of the roofs of the outbuildings and cattery, which afford extra
space for exercise and a charming, interesting, and envious outlook for
the cats into my neighbour’s garden. It is surprising how soon the
kittens learn to climb up and enjoy the roofs.
“The sleeping house contains two wired-in runs going round two sides,
about 2 feet by 12 feet long, containing nest-box, earth pan, etc. These
are very useful for keeping a queen and litter of small kittens in.
There are also two smaller wired-in runs, 2 feet by 6 feet, fitted like
the larger ones, so that a cat may be shut up at any time if necessary.
The queens sleep in the smaller runs in the winter. Beneath the runs a
small cupboard is very useful for odds and ends of all kinds.
“In so limited a space cleanliness is of the utmost importance. The
house and runs should be swept out, and the earth pans should be
changed, washed, and disinfected _every day_. The question of supplying
dust for the pans may prove a source of anxiety to the breeder confined
to a limited space. In winter the dwelling-house fires supply about
sufficient ashes daily; in summer I am compelled to fall back upon
sawdust, which answers the purpose very well, only entailing a little
extra litter in the runs and more grooming of the coats. Whatever the
difficulty in this direction, it _must_ be overcome and the pans daily
changed. The floors and shelves, both in cat house and covered run,
should be washed with hot water containing some disinfectant at least
once a week, and the wired-in runs for cats and kittens thoroughly done
out with hot Sanitas distemper every time they are required for fresh
occupants. All bedding should be changed at least once a week, and as
little of it used as possible in summer. All plates, etc., used for food
must be thoroughly washed after each meal.
“In a space such as I have described my cats have to be kept, for they
are allowed into the dwelling-house by special invitation only; but they
each receive this treat at least once during the day.
“As to the number of queens: _two_ or _three_ are ample where space is
so limited. Where the fresh air run is a back yard, blues are the very
best of all colours, as with a daily grooming they always look clean and
presentable. In a space such as we are considering I would not on any
account recommend the keeping of a stud cat. The want of necessary
exercise would be cruelty to it; and the very limited surroundings
unfair to those who might wish for his services.
“It is of imperative importance that the queens you commence with be of
pure blue pedigree; if prize-winners so much the better, as their
kittens will sell more readily.
[Illustration:
MRS. COLLINGWOOD AND “JAMES II.”
(_Photo: Alice Hughes, Gower Street._)
]
“When mating, be sure that your queen is in perfect health, and do not
mate her too young—in my opinion twelve months is young enough, in the
interest of mother and family. See that the stud cat chosen be also of
the best possible strain. That he be a noted prize-winner is of less
importance than that he should be able to produce _kittens that will
win_. He must have size, bone, strength, soundness of colour, length of
coat, and good eyes. These are indispensable requirements if good blues
are to be produced. He should especially be strong in those points where
your queen may be somewhat weak; thus if the queen be deficient in
length of coat or frill, or in colour, shape, or boldness of eye, see
that the selected stud cat excels in those points, and so, as far as
possible, correct and balance the points required between the parents.
One must not expect to find perfection in any one cat. By using care,
judgment, and forethought in mating our pets, we shall go a good way
towards establishing in our strain the points necessary to build up the
perfect blue Persian.
“All my kittens have been born in a Japanese dress basket, with the lid
standing on its side and the bottom half thrust into it cradlewise. The
outside of the basket proper is trimmed with a flounce, which helps to
keep out draughts; over the top is thrown a small cloth table-cover,
which covers, at will, the whole or part of the opening, thus making the
little one’s house a pretty thing to look at. When any one of my queens
is about to have a family I ‘flee-flea’ her, which I consider most
essential for the future comfort of both mother and kittens; then I
bring her into the house three or four days before the expected event.
For the time being the expectant mother becomes the house cat. I let her
find her own bed, which has already been prepared for her, by carefully
closing all other places she might be likely otherwise to choose. When
her time comes I stay with her during her trouble; but _never interfere_
unless it is absolutely necessary.
“A few encouraging words, and the fact that one is near, seems to give
her comfort. If a queen shews much exhaustion, I give a little Brand’s
Essence with a few drops of brandy in a spoon; but if all goes smoothly
I let well alone. There is no need to press food upon the mother; she
will not require it until some time after the births are complete. A
little warm milk or gruel offered between the births may sometimes prove
a comfort; but many queens will not touch it. For about three weeks,
that is to say until the little ones creep out of their beds, I keep the
queen and her family in the dwelling-house with me, changing her bed
every other day. After the first week I make it a rule to handle the
kittens at least once a day, and if the queen has more than three to
bring up I begin, at two weeks old, feeding them three times a day with
a few _drops_ of warm sweetened milk from a spoon, increasing the
quantity very gradually as they grow. I never wake the kittens to feed
them—sleep is as necessary as food; but always arrange to feed them just
after the little ones wake; they are then hungry, and that is the best
time to assist and relieve the mother. It is surprising how soon the
kits enjoy being fed and look out for the friendly spoon.
“As soon as the little ones can get out of their bed they must be
introduced to a shallow tin filled with ashes or earth. I prefer ashes
to sawdust for very little kittens, and I find at a month old they will
regularly use it. This early lesson in cleanliness is invaluable, as
later on, with reasonable care, they never forget it. When the kittens
are from three weeks to a month old I remove them, with the mother (or
foster-mother), to their own little run in the cattery, where I visit
them three or four times a day. When they grow stronger, and as early as
the weather will permit, they are introduced to the open-air run, the
sunshine, and the other cats.
“I begin the grooming as early as possible, daily brushing the little
things in their bed or on my lap; it improves the fur, and the more they
are groomed the sooner they get to like and enjoy it. When grooming
kittens two or three months old, I generally have three or four trying
to get under the brush at the same time, endeavouring to push the
favoured one out of the way. I am strongly of opinion that the frequent
handling of kittens does not do them any harm, but does tend to improve
their temper and increase their gentleness. When I have callers the
kittens are invariably fetched, introduced to, and fondled by the
visitors, so that they become not the least afraid of strangers; as a
result, when they go to new homes they come out of their basket without
fear, making themselves immediately at home, much to the comfort of
themselves and their new owners.
“The best time to dispose of kittens is at about eight weeks old.
Breeders with limited space _must_ sell young and quickly, keeping only
the one or two of the season they may either wish to show or turn into
next year’s brood queens. To get overcrowded is to court disease and
disappointment, so sell early for the best price you can get; but sell
you must, even if the price does not seem anything approaching the true
value of the kittens. The first loss will be the known loss—most
certainly far less than that involved in the risk of keeping one or two
more kittens than your space should accommodate.”
[Illustration:
A MORNING MEAL AT BOSSINGTON.
(_Photo: A. J. Anderson & Co., Luton._)
]
[Illustration:
BLACK PERSIAN “JOHNNIE FAWE” OWNED BY DR. ROPER.
(_Photo: Lavender, Bromley._)
]