and perfectly harmless little animals. They do not bite or
scratch and young children can play with them. They are not as common as
the ordinary pet, and being more of a novelty, attract more attention.
When sold as pets they usually bring more than when sold to the
hospitals and raisers are assured of a very large demand for this
purpose. In England and Europe the Guinea Pig is more widely raised than
in America and there are more fanciers who show and exhibit them
extensively. They are becoming more popular in this country and are
being exhibited more and more in Pet Stock Shows. A good show animal is
worth all the way from $10 to $100. As a hobby the raising of Guinea
Pigs is most interesting and instructive as there are so many
experiments that can be made in the breeding.

As Food.

For food purposes Guinea Pigs are admirable, although not many are eaten
in this country at the present time. However, many of the newspapers and
magazines have run articles suggesting that they be raised for this
purpose and there is really no reason why they should not be. The United
States Government indorses them as food animals and advises that they
be used in this connection. In a few years we will possibly see Guinea
Pigs sold in the stores as rabbits and poultry are now. Certainly no
animal could be cleaner and being a vegetarian exclusively, its flesh is
of the best. They can be prepared just as a rabbit or squirrel. In
soups, stews, pies, or roasted, broiled or baked the young Cavy is equal
to any other animal. For this purpose the animal should be about
one-half grown.

[Illustration: English Cavies]

CHAPTER IV

FOOD AND FEEDING.

The feeding of Guinea Pigs is a very simple matter. Their main food is
good hay or dried grass. This should be before them all the time, as
they will not eat too much of it. Be sure, however, that it is not musty
or mouldy.

In addition to hay, they should have at least once a day, a feeding of
green food. This is essential in keeping them from becoming constipated.
By green food we mean such things as lawn clippings, green clover,
spinach, green corn stalks, lettuce, celery tops, plantain, dandelion,
grasses, etc., which is, of course, very plentiful in the summer. In the
winter when you cannot get these, carrots, beets, apples, cabbage,
mangle beets, yellow turnips, etc., will take their place.

The grains such as oats, wheat, corn, bran, chops, etc., should be fed
them, as