Page:The Golden Hamster Manual.djvu/62

 THREE: (1) Read regularly the hamster articles and discussions appearing in reliable pet and small stock magazInes. (2) Although a busy man promoting a large commercial project cannot spare time to write personal letters of much real value to more than a few correspondents, the average hamster breeder may easily locate a few other breeders with whom he may correspond, exchange ideas and information, and perhaps visit persona1ly. Study the hamster classified advertising section for such names. (3) It is recommended that the reader carefully study Part IX, “Marketing Hamster Production,” to learn the facts and to obtain guidance as to the most profitable and plentiful sales outlets within easy shipping distance from his own home.

Certain racket-minded operators have estimated that, if and when available, the first thousand pairs of pure white hamsters might bring $25.00 per pair, and other thousands might bring $10.00 per pair. Some racket hope! Since 1942, commercial handlers have dreamed of white or near-white hamsters to sell at some such premium prices. During the war the author operated a small research hamstery. Certain laboratory survivor females under medical care littered varying numbers of pale-faced to white-faced young. 90 per cent of the female offspring bred, unless given medical care, died at termination of pregnancy or produced runts that died during pregnancy or at termination thereof. Strangely, the white-faced male offspring frequently carried better markings but transmitted less white in matings to standard color females than did white-faced females in matings to standard color males. A racket-minded, but not medically minded, visitor paid an extravagant price for a pair of these animals. The female died before delivery of her young. Still dreaming of a strain of white-faces, the racketeer obtained another female, but the same result followed. His male sired only fading white traces in offspring from standard color females. Several such males, along with normal stock, were shipped to a doctor in California but without specific information as to the derivation of the white-faced males. The white-faces created considerable stir of interest among many breeders who learned of them. Too great a per cent lacked important qualities required for normal reproduction. Thus, the author is pleased that no expert in genetics decided to promote them commercially. The Mesocricetus Auratus has great stability of standard coloration in the pattern for the species.