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Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 100, 19 December 1872, Page 2

New Use por Cats. —A correspondent of Land and Water writes:—" It often appears to me that people for the most part are not aware of the great use cats are to us. Of course, we know of their use with respect to miee and rats, but do we generally know of the invaluable help they can give us in protecting from birde our garden fruit and flowers ? The late heavy rains this spring have given us the promise of abundance of strawberries, and in the south, at least, the bloom is magnificent. To. keep, off the birds how simple, how certain, how small is the cost of a cat on a small chain sliding on a wire, and giving the animal the walk up and down the whole length of the strawberry beds. A knot at each end of the wire readily prevents the cat from twisting round the post which supports the wire, and a small kennel placed in the middle of the walk affords her shelter and a home for. her kittens. In large gardens a second cat is required, and. the young ones in their frequent visits ta each, other greatly assist-in scaring away the birds. I havef for more than thirty years used, and seen used "with perfect success, this.easy.method of protecting fruit, and the very .game . plan is equally good in keeping hares -and rabbits off "flower-beds. After the first few days cats in no way dislike this'partial restraint, and when set quite free,' after afew weeks watching, they will of their owiriiceord'continue pn guard. The kittettsf, more JespeciaHy,' attach' thjsmselv.es , to garden'dc'cUpat.ipn,* toft/of fcheir dwir accord become the gardener's'beet allies." ' ' : • The following is an "order for 'applies "for party of two:—" Pleaaa Bend by beardr the folfowjng artibtar/ which, if you prefer it, you can charge tid lirAr— or Mr B . Either is the safest:—Four pounds, 61 salt ancr small cask of whiskey; one pound of groiind Mack pepp«£ Land a dozen whiskey; .for a canvassed namß aria' si* quart bottles of whiskey; three good stout flsning line* and a quarter of a hundred weight of biscuit, same weight Cheshire cheese, and two large quart pocket flasks of whiskey ; one paper of large Limerick hooks, and a gallon ot; whiskey in any vessel you don't use; also send one pound of white sugar and a small jug of whiskey. P.S.—Aswe shall be gone several days and as we may get wet Ashing, my doctor, who has just stepped in,'suggested that we had better take *a little whiskey. Send it, and enter it on your .books with'ether items above."