,! ,accompli%$ ,muskrat ,trapp] ,a ,book on ,trapp+ = ,amateurs ,by ,a4 ,e4 ,,s*midt ,,*icago ,copyright1 #aibb1 by ,a4 ,e4 ,s*midt4 ,boyle ,bro!rs1 ,incorporat$ ,pr9t]s #fjf ,we/ ,lake ,/reet ,*icago1 ,ill9ois ,,introduction4 ,9 plac+ ?is booklet be=e ! great frat]nity ( ,am]ican trapp]s1 ! au?or does n propose to ex]cise any p$agogical influ5ce ^u ! truly pr(essional trapp]1 :o1 season$ 9 ! h>d s*ool ( exp]i5ce1 kn[s ! animals he is seek+1 l a "m kn[s h] *ild4 ,x is 8 wi%1 h[ev]1 to assi/ & guide ! amateur to a great] success4 ,practically all text-books writt5 = trapp]s1 treat+ ^u ! subject ( trapp+ & raw furs1 h]et(ore h be5 neglectful ( two ?+s1 namely1 h[ to trap ! animals "u v>i\s conditions1 & ! assort+ & grad+ ( raw furs4 ,( all fur be>]s1 ! muskrat is ! mo/ num]\s & lea/ w>y1 h5ce v easily trapp$--9 consequ5ce ( ?is3 x has be5 neglect$ by writ]s ( trapp+ to a great] ext5t ?an any o!r fur-be>+ animals4 ,! au?or ( ,,! ,,accompli%$ ,,muskrat ,,trapp] feels t he is in/rum5tal 9 introduc+ to ?\s&s ( muskrat trapp]s a long-felt want4 ,be+ a trapp] ( wide exp]i5ce1 he e>ly recogniz$ ! wor? ( ! me?ods conta9$ h]e94 ,kn[+ t a fair trial w conv9ce ! mo/ skeptical z to ! m]its & practicability ( ^! me?ods1 ! writ] feels sure t ?is little booklet w meet ) ! he>ty approval ( trapp]s ev]y:]e4 ,*apt] #a4 ,habits & ,nature ( ! ,muskrat4 ,! rod5t quadrup$ muskrat1 also kn[n by ! ,indian "n ,musqua% is a small amphibi\s animal ( ,nor? ,am]ica1 be+ f\nd z f> nor? z ,labrador & ,alaska1 & rang+ s\? z f> z ! /ates ( ,new ,mexico & ,arizona4 ,!re is only "o species ( ! muskrat1 b naturali/s recognize sev]al v>ieties or subdivisions1 ! diff]5tia ly+ ma9ly 9 ! color ( ! fur1 firmness ( ! sk9 or pelt1 & ! physical dim5sions ( ! animal4 ,= example1 ! muskrats ( ! ,atlantic coa/ /ates are comp>atively l>ge & ( d>k color2 :ile ^? ( ! ,nor?we/ prairie region are small]1 ?9 & pap]y 9 pelt 7except ^? liv+ 9 cle> or cold wat] /reams7 & ( pal] color4 ,^! v>iations are no d\bt due to climatic & local conditions "u :i* ! animal lives4 ,g5]ally speak+1 x may be said t ! muskrat is a nocturnal animal1 b :]e !y are pl5tiful !y are frequ5tly obs]v$ pr[l+ or swimm+ ab\t dur+ ! day4 ,x is f\nd at home 9 riv]s1 lakes & ponds4 ,:5 inhabit+ ! =m] x lives 9 burr[s dug 9 ! banks2 ! entrance to ^! are usually sev]al feet "u wat]4 ,!y are f\nd to be mo/ num]\s 9 swamps :i* are heavily bord]$ ) grasses & ?ickly /rewn ) scatt]+ gr[?s ( aquatic vegetation4 ,! roots ( ^! plants compose ! pr9cipal diet ( ! animal1 :ile ! tops furni% ! mat]ial = ! con/ruction ( _! homes4 ,! m>% 'rat diff]s 9 its mode ( liv+ f t ( its bro!r ! riv] 'rat1 by its habit ( con/ruct+ dome-l h\ses4 ,?is *ange 9 abode is due to ! natural environm5t 9 :i* x lives4 ,9 _m l>ge swamps scores ( ^! que] little dwell+s c be se5 t[]+ above ! wat]4 ,!y av]age ab\t ?ree feet 9 height1 & are compos$ ( ! roots & /ems ( grasses1 re$s1 wild rice & flags4 ,! entrances are locat$ "u wat]4 ,f f\r to eight 'rats are g5]ally f\nd 9 "o h\se4 ,! muskrat is a h]bivor\s animal4 ,its food consi/s ( ! roots ( flags1 wat] lilies1 etc4 ,x is also v fond ( sweet apples & vegetables1 & w (t5 raid a g>d5 :5 locat$ ne> its haunts4 ,x is also p>tial to gra91 especially corn4 ,al?\gh ! muskrat is h]bace\s by nature1 x is kn[n to eat ! fle% ( clams4 ,^! x c>ries ^u %ore1 deposits !m 9 a pile 9 "s seclud$ retreat & leaves !m to die1 :]eupon !y are easily op5$ & dev\r$ ) mu* avidity4 ,! g5]al assumption is t ! animal eats ^! clams only :5 o!r food is sc>ce4 ,?is1 h[ev]1 is entirely 9 discord ) ! obs]vations ( ! au?or1 :o has on sev]al occasions discov]$ 'rats fe$+ on clams :5 _! favorite food 0 pl5tiful4 ,!re=e1 x is only logical to presume1 t x is n ! lack ( food t attracts ! 'rat's att5tion to ! l[ly clam1 b x is ! abundance ( ! mussel 9 itself4 ,muskrats are our mo/ prolific fur be>]s1 produc+ f two to ?ree litt]s 9 a season1 ! fir/ mak+ its appe>ance 9 ! latt] "p ( ,april or e>ly ,may4 ,! p]iod ( ge/ation requires ab\t =ty-five days4 ,! "y ( ! e>ly spr+ litt]s w frequ5tly re> "o family dur+ ! same season4 ,x is ?is prog5y ( ^! "y females t acc\nts = ! num]\s kitts 7immature muskrats7 tak5 dur+ ! e>ly "p ( ! trapp+ season4 ,consid]+ ! wond]ful procreative p[]s ( ?is little animal1 x appe>s t !y w\ld become z num]\s z ! prov]bial hair on a dog's back1 b !y h _m enemies1 ( :i* man ) 8 traps & fire>ms is ! mo/ deadly1 ) p]haps ! m9k a close second4 ,_m a "t has ! writ] 9 8 rambl+s come onto a 'rat h\se1 :i* _h a small r\nd bor+ at ! wat]-l9e1 j l>ge en\gh to all[ ! long1 sl5d] body ( a m9k to pass ?r\gh4 ,to ! casual obs]v] ?is w\ld appe> to be m]ely a hole1 b to ! tra9$ eye ( ! trapp] x reveals a tale ( woe4 ,he kn[s t "h1 dur+ ! long1 tranquil h\rs ( ! night1 ano!r family ( muskrats 0 sacrific$ to satisfy ! flagrant crav+ ( ?is blood?ir/y memb] ( ! weasel tribe4 ,:5 a m9k ent]s a h\se or burr[1 9 ! a=esaid mann]1 ! inhabitants flee by way ( ! div+ hole4 ,if ev]y?+ rema9s quiet1 !y w return1 "o by "o1 to _! home 9 a v few m9utes4 ,! crafty m9k1 kn[+ ! nature ( ! muskrat1 cr\*es ne> ! div+ hole1 rema9+ v quiet1 & b\nces ^u ! poor1 unsuspect+ victims z !y em]ge4 ,occasionally a trapp] may come ^u ! rema9s ( a muskrat &1 foll[+ an inve/igation1 _c detect any clues z to ! id5tity ( ! assailant4 ,:5 !re are no telltale tracks ab\t1 !n x is safe to assume t ! m>aud] 0 an owl or "s o!r bird ( prey4 ,! ott]1 fox & coyote c also be li/$ z enemies ( ! muskrat1 z !y too make an occasional capture4 ,) ! above facts 9 m9d1 x c be easily und]/ood t approximately only fifty p] c5t ( all muskrats born ev] rea* maturity4 ,9 spite ( all ?is1 !y manage to hold _! own & are f\nd 9 fair numb]s 9 ! rat produc+ sections4 ,! animal in/9cts ( ! muskrat are n z ke5ly develop$ z ^? ( ! design+ fox or ! w>y m9k4 ,unlike ! beav] & ott]1 x is n afraid ( civilization & ?rives 9 ! mo/ ?ickly settl$ sections4 ,nature 9 its entirety is wond]ful4 ,x is n unlike a va/ panorama ( *>m & beauty4 ,"h we f9d ! anci5t law--! survival ( ! fitte/--a reality4 ,_m p surmise ! muskrat to be v un9t]e/+4 ,b ^? p :o are will+ to devote a little ( _! "t to ! nocturnal /udy ( ! animal w surely ackn[l$ge x to be a v int]e/+ little creature4 ,:]e c we f9d ! lov] ( nature ^: he>t w\ld n be ?rill$ z we quietly make our way along "s moonlit /ream 9 ! late fall 7?is be+ ! "t ( ye> :5 'rats are v busy7 to get a glimpse at ! home life ( ?is little fur be>]8 ,z we approa* ! famili> pat* ( cat-tail flags1 we he> ! p]si/5t crun*-crun*-crun* ( tireless little jaws1 z !y gr9d away at ! juicy morsel ( flag or wat] lily4 ,we pause to li/51 our little fri5d seems to be no m ?an tw5ty feet away4 ,fur!r up/ream we he> ano!r & ano!r 9 fact2 ! ru%es seem to be alive ) !m4 ,"s ( !m are cutt+ d[n ! /ems ( wild rice & flags1 :ile o!rs are dragg+ ! mat]ial away to build & repair _! h\ses ) x4 ,we /& motionless1 z we disc]n a ,v-%ap$ /reak ( silv]y l9$ ripples play+ on ! moonlit wat]s1 head+ directly t[>d u f ! opposite %ore4 ,we "k t ! d>k object at ! head ( ?is undulat+ =mation is a muskrat1 evid5tly b\nd on jo9+ its fri5ds at _! fea/ 9 ! ru%es4 ,h>k6 ,!re is a sudd5 commotion 9 ! flags1 foll[$ by a spla% & a plunge2 !n all is /ill1 ! gr9d+ has ceas$1 ! silv]y ripples h fad$ away & ! wat] is smoo? & reflect5t1 n unlike a great mirror4 ,we are surpris$ & wond] at ! cause ( ! sudd5 al>m1 :i* drove ! 'rats to ! %elt]+ dep?s ( ! riv]4 ,_h we n rema9$ p]fectly quiet8 ,we turn1 j 9 "t to see a mon/r\s owl glide noiselessly by ! moon4 ,illu/ration3 ,fig4 #a ,*apt] #b4 ,trapp+ ,muskrats--,op5 ,wat] ,me?ods4 ,!re are num]\s me?ods employ$ 9 trapp+ ! muskrat2 mo/ ( !m w prove successful :5 !y are us$ "u ! prop] conditions1 "t & place4 ,! muskrat be+ a memb] ( ! amphibi\s class ( animals1 consequ5tly traps mu/ be set 9 or v ne> ! wat] to atta9 ! be/ results4 ,?is1 h[ev]1 does n mean t traps set at r&om w br+ results1 b1 on ! o!r h&1 :5 sets are prop]ly plac$ at signs1 !n ! novice c re/ assur$ t he w be rew>d$ = 8 ef=ts4 ,:5 a trapp] decides to op]ate on a c]ta9 /ret* ( wat]1 8 fir/ duty w\ld be to /udy ! signs ( ! animal1 f ! abundance or sc>city ( :i* he c closely e/imate ! numb] ( animals pres5t 9 t p>ticul> locality1 also ! size ( t]ritory he c h&le1 & ! numb] ( traps requir$ to cov] ! same4 ,:at are signs8 ,!y are ! visible indications :i* betray ! pres5ce ( ! animals1 su* z tracks 9 ! muddy m>g9s ( ! %ore 7see ,fig4 #a71 fe$ b$s1 h\ses1 d5s1 slides1 ! fre%ly cut /ems ( aquatic vegetation & excrem5tal matt] on logs1 drift wood1 rocks1 & o!r objects ly+ 9 or ne> ! wat]4 ,to become exp]t at read+ signs requires practical exp]i5ce2 !ory or book k alone w n d4 ,! success or failure ( any trapp] c be measur$ by 8 ability to read ! signs ( ! animals he is seek+ & 8 k ( _! nature4 ,our next consid]ation w be ! selection ( ! prop] traps4 ,:5 trapp+ muskrats ) ! common /eel traps1 nev] use any?+ l>g] ?an size ,no4 #a #a_/b nor small] ?an size ,no4 #a4 ,! ,ne:\se is )\t a d\bt ! be/ & mo/ reliable all ar\nd /eel trap on ! m>ket2 ! mat]ial & workman%ip embodi$ 9 its con/ruction1 comb9$ ) its durability1 r5d] x a product ( ! highe/ "*4 ,! ,victor is ! mo/ popul> ( ! *eap] k9d ( traps & is g5]ally us$ by ^? :o foll[ trapp+ z a side-l9e4 ,:ile trapp+ 'rats1 _m trapp]s pref] ! ,victor to ! ,ne:\se1 on acc\nt ( ! latt]'s p[]ful spr+4 ,! =elegs ( ! muskrat are comp>atively small & frail & easily brok5 (f2 = t reason too /rong a spr+ is n desir$4 ,! v>i\s makes ( jump traps are rapidly becom+ v popul>4 ,!y are a v compact trap on acc\nt ( _! feature ( hav+ ! spr+ on ! inside ( ! jaws1 :i* p]mits !m to be set 9 places :]e o!r traps c\ld only be set ) great difficulty4 ,!re are _m br&s ( traps manufactur$ :i* possess special features1 su* z d\ble jaws1 webb$ jaws1 high grip1 etc4 ,all ( ^! traps are excell5t = cat*+ muskrats1 z !y are made to prev5t ! animals f gnaw+ or wr++ (f1 & ?us escap+4 ,"o ( ! be/ traps = muskrats ev] inv5t$ is manufactur$ by ,w4 ,a4 ,gibbs ,son1 ,*e/]1 ,p5n4 ,x is made ) two sets ( jaws2 ! inn] set gripp+ ! animal's leg1 :ile ! out] set clut*es ! body4 ,f ?is trap !re is no escape :5 once caught1 9 _m cases kill+ its victim in/antly1 :i* b5evol5t feature makes x a favorite ( _m4 ,trapp+ me?ods may be classifi$ into two sep>ate gr\ps1 namely1 bl9d & bait sets1 rank+ 9 ! ord] nam$4 ,a bl9d set is arrang$ at signs )\t ! use ( bait4 ,traps plac$ 9 position s z to gu>d ! approa* to food & sc5t decoys are t]m$ bait sets4 ,sc5t decoys1 bett] kn[n z animal baits1 are comp\nd$ ( v>i\s +r$i5ts :i* appeal to ! inborn & irresi/ible in/9cts ( ! animals1 & :i* assi/ 9 entic+ !m to traps4 ,! foll[+ me?ods are recogniz$ to be ! be/ & mo/ reliable = trapp+ 'rats :5 /reams are free ( ice4 ,!y w prove _! m]its to ! beg9n] :5 appli$ intellig5tly4 ,:ile ! muskrat is g5]ally conc$$ to be "o ( ! easie/ ( fur be>]s to trap1 let no "o suppose t ! c>eless trapp] :o makes 8 sets 9 a sort ( hit or miss fa%ion1 w ev] a*ieve mu* ( a success 9 trapp+ !m4 ,p]haps ! mo/ common me?od employ$ 9 ! capture ( ?is little animal1 is to set traps at ! foot ( _! slides1 9 two or ?ree in*es ( wat]4 ,a slide1 9 ! trapp]'s vocabul>y1 is a place on ! banks frequ5t$ by 'rats1 usually ext5d+ f eight to sixte5 in*es above ! wat] & hav+ a k9d ( pla/ic p]* or re/ at ! top1 ^u :i* are g5]ally f\nd excrem5ts ( ! animal4 ,^! slides are easily recogniz$ on acc\nt ( _! worn & smoo? appe>ance1 :i* is br\ght ab\t by ! animal's habit ( slid+ into ! wat] :5 leav+ !m4 ,d n wa/e any "t 9 sett+ traps at old & dri$ signs1 ^? t are be+ us$ w appe> damp & (t5 spr9kl$ ) fre% mud4 ,:]e ! wat] is n deep en\gh at ! foot ( ! slide to completely cov] ! trap1 excavate a b$ = ! same to ! desir$ dep?4 ,?is rule %\ld be foll[$ 9 all =ms ( wat] sets4 ,:5ev] possible1 always /ake ! trap *a9 into deep wat] at full l5g?1 z ! fir/ impulse ( ! captur$ game is to seek %elt] by div+ into deep wat]1 :]e1 foll[+ a %ort /ruggle1 ! weight ( ! trap f9ally dr[ns x4 ,! slid+ pole is ano!r & m c]ta9 me?od ( dr[n+ ! animals 7,see ,fig4 #b74 ,dr[n+ w n only conceal ! captur$ game f possible ?ieves1 b also secure x = ! trapp] aga9/ gnaw+ & wr++ (f1 & la/1 b n lea/1 ?is humane act w d away ) a lot ( ne$less suff]+4 ,illu/ration4 ,fig4 #b ,ano!r good way to take !m is at _! fe$ b$s4 ,^! are locat$ ne> %ore among ! scatt]+ gr[?s ( aquatic vegetation4 ,!y appe> to be float+ 9 ! wat] semi-subm]g$1 & are compos$ ( ! refuse ( ! animal's food1 su* z ! /ems ( blue flags1 wild rice1 re$s & bits ( v>i\s grasses f\nd gr[+ ne> _! haunts4 ,:5 mak+ sets on ^! b$s make sure t ! traps are f "o to two in*es "u wat]1 z ?is w all[ ! trap to get a high] grip on ! animal's out/ret*$ leg4 ,arrange ! set s t ! cat* w dr[n4 ,(t5 :ile look+ = signs ! trapp] w come ^u a small1 n>r[ pa?1 :i* is ?ree to five in*es 9 wid?1 lead+ f ! wat] to "s o!r body ( wat] ne> by1 or tak+ its c\rse across a p59sula to aga9 t]m9ate 9 ! wat] on ! o!r side4 ,su* a trail is commonly made & us$ by muskrats4 ,:5 y f9d su* a place1 set a trap 9 ! wat] at ea* end ( ! trail4 ,:5 mak+ a set :]e ! wat] is mu* deep] ?an ! usual dep? requir$1 take /icks ab\t twelve in*es long & twice ! calib] ( an ord9>y lead p5cil1 %ove ^! into ! bank horizontally ab\t a ?ird ( _! l5g? & ?ree in*es "u wat]1 plac+ !m an in* ap>t1 six 9 a r[4 ,?is w make a plat=m = ! trap1 :i* w ov]come ! dang] ( ! animals pass+ ov] ! set )\t gett+ caught4 ,9 ! late fall :5 'rats are busy build+ & repair+ _! h\ses1 !y c be caught by sett+ ! trap on t side ( ! /ructure %[+ ! greate/ slope2 because "h !y asc5d :5 at _! labor4 ,:5 /ak+ ! trap at a set ( ?is nature1 x is advisable to drive ano!r /ake ab\t a foot beyond ! fir/4 ,! animal1 :5 caught1 /ruggl+ w9ds ! *a9 ar\nd ! out] /ake1 & is ?us h9d]$ f rea*+ ! h\se1 :]e x o!rwise w\ld d great damage1 te>+ & digg+ into x4 ,?is w\ld result 9 fright5+ ! o!r inmates away1 ?us less5+ ! trapp]'s *ances ( duplicat+ 8 cat*4 ,! wa%es "u banks & ! und]m9$ roots ( trees at ! wat]'s edge1 creat$ by ! ceaseless toil ( ! elem5ts1 af=d good places to set traps1 z e pass+ 'rat w visit su* places4 ,traps %\ld be set & cov]$ v c>efully1 z a place ( ?is nature is (t5 inve/igat$ by ! elusive m9k & inquisitive raccoon4 ,z a consequ5ce1 ! trapp] has a f9e opportunity ( cat*+ a m valuable animal4 ,:5 se>*+ ! /ream = signs1 y w (t5 notice ! dropp+s ( ! animals on logs & scraps ( lumb] ly+ 9 ! wat]4 ,^! c be conv]t$ into excell5t sets by cutt+ a b$ = ! trap ) ! ax1 j f> en\gh "u wat] to completely cov] ! trap4 ,:5 signs & places z describ$ above are sc>ce1 b muskrats are kn[n to exi/1 proce$ z foll[s3 ,at "s conspicu\s place1 dig a horizontal hole 9 ! bank "r at ! wat]-l9e1 :i* %\ld be ab\t a foot deep & five in*es 9 diamet]4 ,p9 a piece ( p>snip1 c>rot1 cabbage or sweet apple1 back 9 ! hole4 ,"s trapp]s use a piece ( ! fle% ( muskrat1 ! sc5t ( :i* is attractive to muskrats4 ,set ! trap at ! m\? ( ?is hole1 9 two or ?ree in*es ( wat]1 conceal c>efully by cov]+ lightly ) wat]-soak$ leaves & ?9 mud4 ,! above is a set equally good = m9k1 z ?is animal has ! habit ( explor+ e hole t x comes to 9 its travels4 ,ano!r & mo/ simple me?od1 is m]ely to fa/5 ! bait on ! bank ab\t eight in*es above ! trap4 ,9 rea*+ = ! bait ! 'rat w /ep into ! trap & get caught4 ,"s trapp]s pref] to use animal baits 9 connection ) _! 'rat sets at all times4 ,?is1 ,i believe1 is :olly unnecess>y1 except+ dur+ mat+1 :i* occurs ! latt] "p ( ,febru>y & ext5ds ?r\gh\t ! re/ ( ! trapp+ season4 ,at ?is "t1 a good1 dep5dable sc5t w help consid]ably 9 lur+ animals to traps4 ,!re are num]\s br&s ( sc5ts on ! m>ket1 "s ( :i* are reliable1 b mo/ ( !m are a f>ce1 & are m]ely int5d$ to pry h>d-e>n$ doll>s f ov]alls pockets4 ,! =mula us$ 9 ! manufacture ( mo/ ( ^! baits is kept a secret by ! mak]s4 ,! pur*as]1 n kn[+ :at +r$i5ts !y conta91 faces ! p]plex+ problem ( *oos+1 or m frankly /at$1 guess+1 z to _! m]its1 :5 buy+4 ,b1 :y worry ab\t buy+ decoys :5 y c easily make !m y\rself8 ,! musk ( ! muskrat is ! be/ sc5t kn[n = attract+ ?is animal4 ,x is f\nd on bo? sexes1 9 two cream color$ gl&s kn[n z ca/ors1 :i* are locat$ j "u ! sk9 ( ! belly4 ,remove ^! f e animal y cat*1 & place 9 an air-tight bottle or j> until ne$$4 ,:5 y are ready to prep>e ! sc5t1 proce$ z foll[s3 ,ma% ! ca/ors into a f9e pulpy /ate2 to e ounce ( ?is mixture add two ounces ( glyc]9e to give volume & prev5t evaporation1 also "o gra9 ( corrosive sublimate4 ,let /& = ab\t a week & y w h ! be/ muskrat sc5t obta9able4 ,cork tightly & keep 9 a cool place4 ,spr9kle a few drops ( ?is sc5t at e set dur+ ! spr+ season4 ,9 ! e>ly spr+1 z soon z ! fir/ heavy ?aws set 9 releas+ ! muskrats f _! natural prison1 !y are eag]ly s\ght because _! pelts are at _! be/1 be+ fully prime at ?is "t ( ye>4 ,b trapp]s are (t5 hamp]$ 9 _! op]ations aga9/ ! l[ly 'rat at ?is p>ticul> "t1 on acc\nt ( ! abs5ce ( signs4 ,?is drawback c be ov]come z foll[s3 ,procure pieces ( two by six 7plank71 ea* ab\t f\r feet 9 l5g?4 ,set two traps on ea* plank1 "o ne> ea* end1 cov]+ !m lightly ) dry grass or leaves4 ,spr9kle a few drops ( sc5t along ! plank betwe5 traps4 ,/aple ! traps to ! ends ( ! plank & an*or ! same ne> %ore4 ,"s trapp]s scatt] pieces ( bait on ! plank1 b ?is is n necess>y1 z ! sc5t w draw !m mu* bett] ?an food bait at ?is "t ( ye>4 ,ano!r me?od is to build a small m\nd 9 ab\t six in*es ( wat]4 ,?is c be made ( small /ones1 pla/]$ ) mud1 & %\ld ext5d ab\t six in*es above ! wat]4 ,spr9kle a few drops ( sc5t on top ( m\nd & set trap at ! bottom1 /ak+ into deep wat]4 ,*apt] #c4 ,trapp+ ,muskrats ,"u ,ice 9 ,w9t]4 ,! hu/l+ trapp] g5]ally ga!rs a fair siz$ collection ( muskrat pelts 9 ! late fall1 z 'rats are v active & move ab\t a great deal at ?is "t ( ! ye>1 leav+ signs 9 abundance at :i* ! trapp] may set 8 traps4 ,!n sudd5ly "s fro/y morn+ z he makes 8 r\nds1 he f9ds ! /ream cov]$ ) a ?9 coat ( ice1 a sign h]ald+ ! arrival ( w9t]4 ,"u ! ?9 ice ! traps are sett+ & undi/urb$ j z he left !m ! day be=e4 ,disgu/$ he lifts !m & quits4 ,"r "h is :]e _m 'rat trapp]s make a mi/ake3 ,:5 !y f9d /reams cov]$ ) ice1 !y pull /akes & quit4 ,if ^! same trapp]s knew h[ to cat* !m "u ! ice1 !y c\ld greatly increase _! annual cat*4 ,:at becomes ( ! muskrat :5 its natural highway is cov]$ ) ice8 ,h[ does x obta9 its food :ile ?us imprison$8 ,h[ c x brea! "u wat]8 ,qu]ies su* z ^! are (t5 put to trapp]s by ^? :o are unacqua9t$ ) ! nature ( ! animal4 ,:5 /reams are froz51 muskrats are practically %ut (f f ! outside _w1 b nev]!less !y are z happy z ev]1 play+ & frolick+ 9 ! wat] & (t5 travel+ great di/ances f _! burr[s4 ,:5 hungry !y seek ! b$s ( wild rice & flags1 f :i* !y procure _! food4 ,?is !y c>ry to _! fe$ b$s or d5s to be dev\r$4 ,!y _c brea! 9 ! wat] z fi% d1 because !y are n end[$ ) gills1 b !y d travel long di/ances "u ! same brea?1 & :5 ! lungs h dra9$ ! oxyg51 ! 'rat comes up to ! "u side ( ! ice & exhales4 ,! bubble ?us =m$ imm$iately fills ) oxyg5 & is !n aga9 inhal$1 :]eupon ! animal cont9ues on its j\rney until x f9ds x necess>y to repeat ! op]ation4 ,z soon z ! ice is suffici5tly /rong en\gh to be> a man's weight1 _m muskrats are tak5 by m5 & boys :o get out on ! ice arm$ ) clubs & pursue ! animals z !y swim along "u ! ice2 :5 a 'rat comes up to ! ice to repl5i% its supply ( oxyg51 a %>p bl[ f a well-season$ club br\ght d[n on ! ice directly above ! animal w /upefy x4 ,:ile ! animal is 9 ?is tempor>y /ate ( coma1 a hole is cut 9 ! ice & ! victim tak5 out4 ,:5 hunt+ 'rats 9 ?is mann]1 ,i pref] to use a %otgun 9 place ( ! club1 because x is quick] 9 action & ! t]rific concussion :i* occurs :5 ! %ot /rikes ! ice (t5 kills ! game outright4 ,z _m z a doz5 'rats are (t5 tak5 by "o man 9 ! c\rse ( a few h\rs1 z !y seem to move ab\t m freely dur+ ! day1 :5 /reams are cov]$ ) ice4 ,9 _! eag]ness to get _! %>e ( ! pelts1 trapp]s (t5 receive a wett+ :ile pursu+ ! animals ov] ?9 ice4 ,:5 op]at+ on ?9 ice /ay 9 ! %all[ places2 rememb] ! wat*word safety fir/4 ,sometimes muskrats are driv5 f _! d5s by p\nd+ ! bank ) "s heavy object directly ov] ! entrance2 :5 ! animals are aw>e ( ! ?ump+1 !y usually flee f imag9>y h>m's way by tak+ to ! wat]2 !y are !n %ot z !y em]ge4 ,! above me?ods ( tak+ muskrats ?r\gh ice are good1 b c only be us$ on cle> ice1 n ov] five in*es 9 ?ickness1 z ! %ot w n take effect 9 heavi] ice4 ,:ile op5 wat] trapp+ _c be excell$1 9 comp>ison to results obta9$1 "u-ice trapp+ w adequately repay ^? :o are will+ to give x a fair trial4 ,no trapp] %\ld attempt to make sets "u ice :i* is mu* m ?an a foot 9 ?ickness1 z ! task w\ld prove too elaborate4 ,! foll[+ me?ods w br+ results :5 in/ructions are foll[$ c>efully4 ,!y are be+ us$ by exp]t trapp]s & are ! only practical modes = ?is sort ( trapp+3 ,sett+ traps at ! m\? ( d5s is p]haps ! be/ & mo/ pr(itable "u-ice me?od kn[n to ! trapp+ frat]nity1 z x w be rememb]$ t ! av]age d5 conta9s f f\r to eight muskrats1 & 9 "s in/ances ev5 m4 ,!re=e x c be readily und]/ood t ! trapp] :o w locate d5s 9 8 sp>e "t dur+ ! summ] & fall w be ! mo/ successful4 ,:ile hunt+ d5s 9 op5 wat] use ei!r a boat or hip boots2 select a quiet day :5 ! wat] is calm1 travel sl[ly along ne> %ore1 keep+ wat* = ! m\? ( d5s4 ,^! entrances are usually f "o to f\r feet "u wat]4 ,if ! d5 is inhabit$1 ! entrance w be f\nd cle> ( all rubbi% & ob/ructions ( any k9d4 ,_m ( ^! holes h a tr5*-l trail or run ext5d+ a y>d or two t[>ds mid/ream4 ,:5ev] a d5 is f\nd1 m>k ! same by %ov+ a /ick on ! up/ream side ( ! entrance1 ! top ( :i* %\ld ext5d ab\t t5 in*es above ! wat] level to all[ = a sudd5 rise ( ! /ream4 ,:5 d5s are ?us m>k$ !y c be easily f\nd aft] ice =ms4 ,_m d5s c also be f\nd ?r\gh cle> ice1 z foll[s3 ,walk along on ! ice ne> %ore until y see a /reak ( bubbles "u ! ice1 :i* is sev]al y>ds 9 l5g?1 usually ext5d+ t[>ds mid/ream2 fur!r exam9ation w reveal ! m\? ( d5 at ! t]m9ation ( ! bubble /ream ne> ! %ore4 ,m>k d5s ) /akes z describ$ above4 ,! traps are l[]$ into ! m\? ( d5 at ! end ( a f\r-foot piece ( wire1 said end be+ %ap$ into a hook = hold+ ! trap2 or1 bett] /ill1 pur*ase a ,triumph ,trap ,plac]1 :i* is manufactur$ by ! ,triumph ,trap ,co41 ( ,oneida1 ,new ,york4 ,?is is a v h&y in/rum5t1 us$ = ! sett+ ( traps 9 difficult places1 especially "u ice4 ,9 all d5 sets1 ! trap %\ld be plac$ inside ! entrance z f> z x is possible to get x4 ,a wide entrance (t5 all[s ! game to pass ov] ! trap )\t gett+ caught4 ,?is c be ov]come by plac+ flat /ones "u ! traps or by ob/ruct+ ! upp] half ( ! entrance ) a wide trap /ake1 :i* is pu%$ into ! side ( entrance 9 a horizontal mann]4 ,?is compels ! game to dive "u x & pass l[ en\gh to get caught4 ,! traps are fa/5$ by slipp+ ! *a9 r+ on to ! /ake :i* m>ks ! d54 ,:5 ! ice is cov]$ ) sn[1 d5s _c be locat$ z describ$ above4 ,9 t case a fair numb] ( d5s c (t5 be f\nd by s\nd+4 ,?is is accompli%$ by p\nd+ ! ice ) ! ax 9 %all[ places along ! %ore1 until y f9d a place :i* produces a holl[ s\nd ^u be+ /ruck2 ?is indicates a 'rat run4 ,:5 y f9d su* a place1 cut ?r\gh & set a trap 9 ! run1 !n cov] ! hole 9 ! ice1 us+ /icks & dry grass z a f\ndation & !n pack tightly ) sn[4 ,a run is ! tr5*-l trail "u wat] :i* leads to ! m\? ( d54 ,:5 ^! runs are locat$ 9 %all[ wat]1 ! body heat ( ! animals melts ! ice to ! ext5t ( sev]al in*es directly above ! run4 ,?is creates an air space :i* acc\nts = ! holl[ s\nd :5 /ruck f above4 ,! b>ri] set w capture bo? ! muskrat & m9k1 travel+ "u ! ice4 ,e exp]i5c$ trapp] kn[s t ^! animals swim along ne> %ore 9 _! travels1 = v>i\s reasons1 *iefly :ile hunt+ = food4 ,! set is z foll[s3 ,cut a n>r[ *annel 9 ! ice ab\t six feet 9 l5g?2 beg9 at ! bank & "w out t[>ds mid/ream4 ,n[ take /icks & build a b>ri] ! entire l5g? ( *annel1 %ove !m d[n well into ! bottom ab\t an in* ap>t1 leav+ ! tops an in* or two above ! level ( ! ice4 ,leave an op5+ ab\t six in*es wide1 twelve or eighte5 in*es f ! bank1 9 ab\t six in*es ( wat]4 ,9 ?is op5+ set y\r trap4 ,an animal com+ along w f9d ?is op5+1 attempt to pass ?r\gh & get caught4 ,?is set w br+ ! be/ results :5 us$ on small /reams & dra9age canals1 z ^! c be /ak$ _! entire wid?4 ,:5 /ak+ small /reams1 leave an op5+ = a trap on ea* side ( ! /ream4 ,fa/5 traps by slipp+ ! *a9 r+ into ! /ake at op5+4 ,:5 ! wat] :]e ! set is to be made is some:at deep] ?an eight in*es1 place flat /ones or simil> objects "u traps4 ,?is %\ld be done to cr[d ! animals into ! traps4 ,:5 ! ice gets heavi]1 ?us less5+ ! wat] space1 !n ^! ob/acles mu/ be remov$4 ,cov] ! holes 9 ! ice z /at$ above4 ,x is advisable1 also mu* easi]1 to con/ruct ! b>ri]s %ortly be=e ! /reams freeze up4 ,on w>m w9t] days muskrats (t5 come =? to sun !mselves2 !y rema9 b a few mom5ts at a "t1 b t is suffici5t to cat* !m 9 traps :i* are prop]ly plac$ 9 ! wat] at spr+s1 air holes & rapids1 also at ! inlets & outlets ( lakes & ponds4 ,9 _m lakes & swamps muskrats live 9 h\ses in/ead ( burr[s4 ,to trap !m 9 _! h\ses1 cut a hole on ! s\? side ( ! h\se1 !n set ! trap inside on ! b$ or 9 ! div+ hole4 ,fa/5 ! trap to a clog on ! outside ( ! h\se1 !n tightly close ! op5+ ) ! mat]ial cut away2 on top ( ?is freely pack dry grass or re$s & !n sn[4 ,?is mu/ be done to keep ! div+ hole f freez+4 ,! traps %\ld be visit$ at lea/ twice a day1 pref]ably 9 ! morn+ & 9 ! ev5+1 because ! animals d n always dr[n :5 caught 9 ?is way4 ,be=e y decide to set traps 9 h\ses1 bett] look up ! /atute ( y\r /ate 9 reg>d to ?is matt]4 ,_m /ates h n[ enact$ a law mak+ x unlawful = any p]son1 at any "t1 to de/roy1 mole/ or set traps 9 or ^u muskrat h\ses4 ,:]e muskrats are pl5tiful1 !y are (t5 tak5 by l[]+ ! traps ?r\gh ! ice1 9 ?ree or f\r feet ( wat]4 ,^! traps are bait$ ) a piece ( c>rot or cabbage1 :i* is b\nd to ! p$al ( ! traps4 ,! muskrats pr[l+ along ! bottom ( ! /ream inve/igate ! da9ty morsel & are caught4 ,! be/ traps to use = ?is me?od are ! ,two ,trigg]s & ,alligator game traps1 because ^! traps clut* ! animal's body4 ,%\ld y use ! common /eel trap1 be sure y use no?+ small ?an size ,no4 #a #a_/b1 because ! game is usually caught by ! head4 ,! trigg] ( ! trap %\ld be set v lightly1 s x w spr+ at ! slighte/ pressure4 ,?is me?od is mo/ g5]ally us$ ne> muskrat h\ses1 9 /ates :]e ! law prohibits ! sett+ ( traps 9 ^! h\ses4 ,*apt] #d4 ,opportunity & ',rat ,ran*+4 ,! annual cat* ( ,nor? ,am]ican raw furs has a monet>y value ( approximately tw5ty-five million doll>s4 ,! numb] ( pelts requir$ to rea* su* a figure mu/ necess>ily be v l>ge4 ,trapp+ is done1 m or less1 by _m p1 9 _m walks ( life1 :o foll[ ! sport = bo? pr(it & pleasure2 f ! pr(essional pelt hunt]1 d[n to ! f>m]'s boy1 :o dur+ ! w9t] indulges 9 trapp+ z a side l9e1 t5d+ 8 traps betwe5 *ores4 ,! fur bus9ess is & always has be5 an important cog 9 ,am]ican indu/ry4 ,x furni%es employm5t = ?\s&s1 f ! trapp] to ! buy]1 manufactur] & retail]2 b !re is n[ a cl\d ( depression ?reat5+ on ! horizon ( ! indu/ry4 ,fur-be>+ animals1 :i* at "o "t roam$ our prairies1 /reams & woodl&s1 9 seem+ly unlimit$ numb]s1 are n[ rapidly becom+ v sc>ce1 :]e a few ye>s previ\s !y 7 v pl5tiful4 ,! beav] & sev]al o!r species ( fur be>]s are already ?reat5$ ) ext9ction & are doom$ to foll[ 9 ! wake ( ! pass5g] pigeon & bison1 unless some?+ extremely radical is done 9 ! way ( game pres]vation 9 comp>ison to pres5t-day me?ods4 ,:at has br\ght ab\t ?is rapid dim9ution 9 ! ranks ( fur-be>+ animals8 ,x is ! rapid advance ( civilization :i* deprives ! fur be>]s ( _! natural haunts4 ,x is ! inv5tive g5ius ( ,am]icans1 :o1 ) highly effici5t traps1 guns1 especially prep>$ poisons1 smoke-torp$oes & o!r +5i\s devices1 contribute to deplete ! ranks ( ! animals2 ! num]\s fur h\ses ?r\gh\t ! c\ntry1 flood+ ! mails ) _! propag&a urg+ ev]yone to trap4 ,we c h>dly scan ! columns ( a pap] or magaz9e dur+ ! fur mon?s b :at our gaze w fall ^u an allur+ display ( raw fur adv]tisem5ts4 ,^! ann\ncem5ts are cont9ually call+ = unlimit$ quantities ( raw furs2 !y are ev] urg+ m5 & boys to pu% _! trapp+ op]ations to ! utmo/4 ,^! conc]ns are giv+ free advice to beg9n]s2 !y (f] free in/ructions 9 ! art ( trapp+ ! fur be>]s4 ,all ?is has _h b "o result3 ,! fabul\s prices paid = raw furs & ! ext5sive adv]tis+ 9 rec5t ye>s h k9dl$ a crusade on our fur be>]s :i* has develop$ a crisis4 ,:5 trapp+ is c>ri$ on to ! extreme folly ( tak+ ! animals :i* %\ld be left = bre$+1 !n our natural supply ( wild fur %all cease to be p]petual4 ,& t is j :at is tak+ place1 9 spite ( ! legislation pass$ 9 favor ( ! fur be>]s--9 spite ( ! laws :i* h be5 enact$ = _! protection by ! v>i\s /ates & t]ritories4 ,9 ! light ( ?is fact1 ! "q arises3 ,:]e are ! millions ( pelts to come f t ! _w ne$s ea* ye>8 ,! "t is n f> (f :5 ! dem& w exce$ ! supply4 ,h[ c we keep an indu/ry alive t c use millions ( doll>s' wor? ( raw furs annually1 ?us furni%+ employm5t = ?\s&s ( p8 ,!re is only "o rem$y1 & t is--fur f>m+4 ,fur f>m+ is by no means a new idea4 ,f>sight$ m5 exp]im5t$ ) fur be>]s e>ly 9 ! sev5ties4 ,_m p advance ! !ory t ! animals w n bre$ or ?rive 9 captivity2 b ?is argum5t is n s\nd2 we ne$ only rememb] t all our dome/ic animals 7 wild creatures at "o "t4 ,true1 fur f>m+1 l any o!r bus9ess1 has its drawbacks2 b ^! imp$im5ts are rapidly conqu]$ by ! p]si/5t & en]getic /udy & sci5tific rese>* ( en?usia/ic m51 :o are devot$ly int]e/$ 9 ! welf>e ( ! animals1 & ! evolution ( ! indu/ry to a high] & bett] /&>d4 ,9 any case1 ! injury is n beyond ! rem$y4 ,= example1 "s ( ! e>ly pione]s 9 ! bus9ess felt v mu* deject$ :5 !y discov]$ t ! animals did n fur prop]ly 9 captivity4 ,?is 0 lat] f\nd to be due to cr[d$ & improp] qu>t]s1 improp] dra9age & ! lack ( %ade ab\t ! enclosures4 ,?is has be5 rem$i$ to ! ext5t t ran* rais$ fur n[ excels ! wild 9 quality & beauty4 ,?is te/imony is v]ifi$ by ! fact t ! sum ( #c1hjj 0 paid = ! pelt ( a s+le ran* br$ silv] fox2 a sum t has nev] be5 realiz$ = ! pelt ( a wild fox ( l v>iety4 ,cannibalism among ! animals 0 ano!r evil fur f>m]s _h to cont5d )4 ,?is 0 trac$ to be due to ! fe$+ ( improp] foods1 & especially und]fe$+4 ,abortion mu/ also be gu>d$ aga9/4 ,dur+ pregnancy /rang]s mu/ be kept away f ! ran*1 because dur+ ?is p]iod females become v suspici\s ( !m & are n]v\s & re/less1 (t5 injur+ !mselves :5 ?us excit$4 ,?is tr\ble is mo/ common among animals :i* 7 procur$ 9 ! wilds4 ,ea* succe$+ g5]ation ( ran* rais$ /ock becomes m & m dome/icat$2 consequ5tly ! keep] f9ds x mu* easi] to w9 _! confid5ce4 ,practically all ! failures 9 fur f>m+ are due to ! lack ( exp]i5ce ( ! p ?us engag$2 _! failure to take ! prop] int]e/ 9 ! animals1 s !y may und]/& !m & _! requirem5ts4 ,!re are n[ num]\s fur f>ms locat$ ?r\gh\t ! nor!rn "p ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ,canada4 ,^! e/abli%m5ts propagate & improve ! bre$ ( fox1 skunk1 muskrat1 raccoon1 m9k & opossum4 ,fox ran*+ is ! lead+ bran* ( ?is indu/ry4 ,!re are _m ran*es :i* specialize 9 high grade foxes1 su* z black1 silv]1 cross & r$4 ,pr9ce ,edw>d ,isl& is ! c5t] ( ?is indu/ry2 ! mo/ valuable foxes 9 ! _w are ran*$ "h1 be+ ! result ( c>eful & selective bre$+4 ,john ,a4 ,lea1 ( ,summ]side1 ,p4 ,e4 ,isl&1 is recogniz$ z "o ( ,am]ica's lead+ au?orities on ! "q4 ,he is a man ( wide exp]i5ce & kn[s ! animals l a "m kn[s h] flock4 ,9 8 ,facts ,ab\t ,foxes ,mr4 ,lea says3 7a7 ,fox ran*+ is an indu/ry begun 9 ,p4 ,e4 ,isl& 9 ! #hj's4 7b7 ,rais+ dome/icat$ silv] foxes is n[ an e/abli%$ success4 7c7 ,s9ce #aiji millions ( doll>s h be5 paid 9 fox divid5ds4 7d7 ,! dome/icat$ silv] fox is tame & easily c>$ =4 7e7 ,foxes w eat any?+ ! ord9>y dog w eat4 7f7 ,! av]age litt] is f ?ree to f\r pups4 7g7 ,! total annual increase is ab\t #ajj p] c5t4 7h7 ,x is possible to bre$ up or improve any k9d ( foxes4 7i7 ,! foxes n[ ran*$ on ,p4 ,e4 ,isl& are valu$ at #f1jjj1jjj4 7j7 ,^! foxes e>n$ #b1ejj1jjj = _! own]s 9 #aibj4 7k7 ,! av]age pr(it to ! fox ran*] is ab\t #dj p] c5t annually4 ,! above facts %[ t fox ran*+ ,is n a dream1 b an e/abli%$ success1 pay+ l>ge divid5ds on ! capital inve/$4 ,?is is also true ab\t fur f>m+ 9 g5]al4 ,!re are _m cases on record %[+ ! wond]ful results obta9$ by m5 :o exp]im5t$ ) skunk1 m9k & muskrats4 ,especially ,is ?is true ( ! muskrat4 ,i %all endeavor to set =? "h ! possibilities 'rat ran*+ (f]s to ^? ( small means4 ,9 ! l>ge salt wat] m>%es along ! ,atlantic coa/ & ,*esapeake ,bay1 'rat ran*+ has be5 c>ri$ on sy/ematically = _m ye>s4 ,?is m>% l& :i* 0 at "o "t consid]$ practically valueless is n[ yield+ l>ge returns annually4 ,! animals are protect$ f possible poa*]s by ! au?orities & l& own]s4 ,!y are trapp$ only :5 ! fur is at its be/4 ,! own]s see to x t en\gh animals are left = bre$+4 ,wicomico1 ,dor*e/] & ,somm]sett ,c\nties 7,m>yl&7 compose ! c5t] ( ?is indu/ry4 ,! value ( ! cat* 9 any "o ( ^! c\nties runs ,into ?\s&s ( doll>s ye>ly4 ,& ,x mu/ be rememb]$ t ?is is f l& :i* at "o "t sold f /ate or gov]nm5t at ?irty c5ts an acre4 ,! foll[+ are extracts f a lett] by a well kn[n manufactur] ( game traps1 :o owns a l>ge muskrat pres]ve ,9 ,m>yl&4 ,i %all put d[n ^! /atem5ts1 n to enc\rage anyone to g !re1 z ! gr\nd is well occupi$ & trapp]s are num]\s1 b m]ely to s]ve z an ,illu/ration ( :at c be done ) ! num]\s swamps1 ponds & small lakes scatt]$ ?r\gh\t ! re/ ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ,canada1 & :i* are n[ consid]$ practically wor?less3 ,good muskrat m>% 9 ,m>yl&1 :]e ! writ]'s place is locat$4 ,is sell+ n[ = f tw5ty to ?irty doll>s an acre444 ,z a g5]al proposition ! own]s lease _! m>%es to ! trapp]s = a c]ta9 "p ( ! cat*1 :i* has up to ! pres5t "t be5 any:]e f "o-half to two-?irds to ! own]s444 ,! m>%es nev] dry up1 because !y are only a v few feet above sea level & a great _m ( !m are ov]fl[$ at times by extremely high tides444 ,my 'rats are 9 an op5 m>% & ,i d n furni% !m any fe$1 or look aft] !m 9 any way1 except to try to keep ! dogs & foxes out ( ,x & to cat* ! hawks1 owls & eagles t prey on !m4 ,! m>% furni%es pl5ty ( natural fe$1 & ! only ?+ t is necess>y to d is simply to keep _! enemies away & !y take v good c>e ( !mselves444 ,!re are a great _m natural m>%es along ! ea/ coa/ ( ! c\ntry1 9 ,new ,j]sey1 ,delaw>e1 ,m>yl& & ,virg9ia especially1 ^! m>%es h be5 inhabit$ by muskrats probably s9ce _! creation4 ,n[ !n1 f ! above /atem5ts we c readily conceive t ! rais+ ( muskrats is ! simple/ =m ( fur f>m+1 requir+ v little capital to get />t$4 ,= ^! reasons3 ,fir/1 x does n necessitate ! con/ruction ( exp5sive p5s & enclosures2 second1 animals ne$ n be f$--! food supply is natural2 ?ird1 a keep] is n requir$--! animals take c>e ( !mselves4 ,z prospective 'rat ran*]s1 our fir/ duty w\ld be ! selection ( ! prop] site = ! ran*4 ,?is w\ld naturally be 9 ! =m ( a lake1 m>% or pond4 ,_m f>m]s h su* a body ( wat] on _! l&2 ^! v>y 9 size f a few acres to sev]al hundr$4 ,^? :o contemplate rais+ 'rats1 b d n own a prop] site1 c\ld easily buy "o at a reasonable figure1 z mo/ p consid] su* prop]ty ( little value4 ,be=e buy+ a pond or m>% :i* y are n famili> )1 inve/igate :e!r x has any inlets1 su* z spr+s & small /reams4 ,a m>% or small lake :i* is likely to dry up dur+ a dr\ght is n to be consid]$1 z ! 'rats w\ld !n be =c$ to leave x4 ,"s ( ^! wat]s h no visible means ( support1 yet !y hold ! same level ( wat] ye> aft] ye>4 ,?is seems to be due to ! nature ( _! location or else !y are f$ by inn] spr+s4 ,:5 9 d\bt ab\t a c]ta9 m>% or lake1 bett] talk ) sev]al neighbors :o are famili> ) x1 be=e buy+2 !y may1 f obs]vation1 be able to give y reliable in=mation ab\t ! wat] supply4 ,_m lakes & ponds :i* are possess$ ( an inlet & outlet are (t5 burd5$ ) a v high level ( wat]1 & !n aga9 at o!r times n en\gh4 ,?is wat] c\ld be held to a normal level by putt+ a dam across ! outlet4 ,?is dam1 h[ev]1 w\ld ne$ protection aga9/ ! burr[+ mania ( ! muskrats1 z !y w\ld soon h x look+ l a sponge2 ! only diff]5ce w\ld be1 t ! sponge holds wat]1 :ile ! dam w\ld n4 ,su* a dam c\ld be amply protect$ ) a solid cov]+ ( rocks4 ,^! %\ld av]age 9 size any:]e f a baseball to a man's head1 & %\ld cov] ! dam to a dep? ( ab\t two feet4 ,?is lay] ( rocks %\ld also ext5d along ! bottom ( ! /ream on bo? sides ( ! dam to a di/ance ( ab\t tw5ty feet4 ,! build+ ( su* a /ructure w\ld require "s h>d labor & "t1 b w\ld well pay = itself :]e ! ran* 9 "q is l>ge en\gh to w>rant its con/ruction4 ,foll[+ ! selection ( ! prop] site1 our next consid]ation w\ld be ! food supply4 ,mo/ lakes1 m>%es & ponds are naturally conducive to wild rice1 flag & wat] lily gr[?4 ,^! aquatic plants are ! ma9/ay ( ! muskrat's food supply2 !y also repres5t ! mat]ial ( :i* !y con/ruct _! h\ses4 ,%\ld ! prospective 'rat ran* be devoid ( su* vegetation1 z is sometimes ! case1 ! own] %\ld at once take /eps to enc\rage its gr[? by ,introduc+ "s flags & wat] lilies4 ,^! %\ld be plant$ 9 ab\t "o foot ( wat] & "o y>d ap>t4 ,x is advisable to plant !m along ! %ore1 9 sev]al pat*es ( two or ?ree r[s ea*1 & numb]+ ab\t fifty plants to ! pat*4 ,^! plants1 :5 once />t$1 w multiply v rapidly & spread into deep] wat]4 ,! be/ "t to d ?is "w ( transplant+ is 9 ! spr+1 j be=e ! plants />t spr\t+4 ,dur+ ! summ] gre5 grass is eat5 by muskrats ) great reli%2 !re=e1 mix$ grass se$ %\ld be s[n lib]ally :]ev] ! banks are b>r54 ,! se$ ( wild rice %\ld also be s[n 9 ! fall ( ! ye>1 %ortly aft] x is ga!r$4 ,wild rice w gr[ 9 deep] wat] ?an flags1 & all t is necess>y to />t x is to scatt] ! se$ 9 a dep? ( sev]al feet ( wat]4 ,x is good policy to s[ "s wild rice e fall1 ev5 :5 ! supply ( food is ample1 z 'rats are v fond ( ! myriads ( "y t5d] spr\ts :i* %oot up 9 ! spr+4 ,9 wat]s :]e ! food supply mu/ be develop$1 x is advisable to keep muskrats away = at lea/ "o ye>1 because _! pres5ce w\ld greatly hamp] its progress4 ,:5 ! food supply has be5 well e/abli%$1 we are ready to /ock up our ran*4 ,! 'rats c be pur*as$ or procur$ by trapp+4 ,z a g5]al rule1 'rats w already be f\nd at home 9 a prospective ran*1 :i* boa/s ( pl5ty ( wat] & food2 !y f9d su* a place by =ce ( in/9ct1 ?\gh ! ne>e/ /ream may be fifty miles away4 ,we ne$ pay no fur!r att5tion to !m1 except to de/roy _! enemies1 :i* 9 ?is case are1 *iefly1 ! birds ( prey4 ,sometimes ^! pirates ( ! air w e/abli% headqu>t]s at "s muskrat m>%1 & rema9 = weeks at a "t4 ,select+ "s l(ty p]* f :i* !y c scan e angle ( _! acquir$ doma91 !y w (t5 rema9 p]fectly motionless1 = h\rs at a "t1 only to hurl !mselves ^u ! unw>y muskrat z x makes its appe>ance on ! wat]4 ,^! intrud]s mu/ be caught--b h[8 ,occasionally we may be able to *eck up on "o ( !m1 ) our old scatt]gun2 b ?is is ! exception to ! rule1 z ^! birds are f> too w>y to be approa*$ 9 ! op54 ,!re=e we mu/ resort to /eel traps = _! de/ruction4 ,?is is n z difficult z x w\ld seem at fir/ ?\ght4 ,kn[+ _! habit ( alight+ on ! highe/ po9t ( vantage :ile await+ _! prey1 we proce$ to set up poles 9 our m>%1 :i* are ab\t eight in*es 9 diamet] at ! top4 ,on ! tops ( ^! poles we conceal our traps 7pref]ably jump traps71 by cov]+ !m ) wat]-soak$ *aff or leaves4 ,pegs are driv5 into ! sides ( ! poles1 ^u :i* we asc5d :5 t5d+ ! traps4 ,^! poles ne$ n be v high :5 !y are set up 9 ! op52 eight or t5 feet above ! wat] w\ld be suffici5t1 :5 !re are no high] objects ne>4 ,! erection ( "o su* pole w\ld suffice = e t5 acres ( t]ritory4 ,! animals mu/ also be protect$ aga9/ poa*+ & free trapp+4 ,x is a good idea to po/ signs ( w>n+ aga9/ trespass+ on ! premises4 ,!re %\ld n be mu* tr\ble on ?is po9t1 h[ev]1 because p1 z a :ole1 respect ! prop]ty & rights ( _! fell[ m54 ,:5 ! animals are ?us protect$1 !y w increase v rapidly4 ,a m>% or pond :i* is cov]$ ) a mix$ gr[? ( aquatic vegetation w naturally support a great] numb] ( muskrats ?an a deep wat] lake :]e su* vegetation c only be f\nd along ! %ores4 ,good m>% l& has be5 kn[n to produce an av]age ( "o hundr$ 'rats p] acre annually1 & 9 "s in/ances ev5 m1 b su* a yield is above ! ord9>y4 ,/ati/ics %[ ! av]age yield ( 'rat pelts to be ab\t fifte5 p] acre ye>ly4 ,?is numb] ( animals c be safely trapp$ )\t fe> ( encroa*+ ^u ! necess>y quota ( animals requir$ z bre$]s4 ,( c\rse !re are "s wat]s t produce a mu* l>g] yield p] acre1 & ^! mu/ be trapp$ accord+ly4 ,9 a m>% or lake ( l[ banks ! 'rats are compell$ to build h\ses4 ,! own]s ( su* a ran* c closely e/imate ! numb] ( animals pres5t by c\nt+ ! h\ses & !n multiply+ ! result by f\r4 ,?\gh ! muskrat w tol]ate m cr[d+ ?an o!r fur-be>+ animals1 ! own] %\ld prev5t ov]cr[d+1 o!rwise "s ( !m w\ld leave = p>ts less cr[d$4 ,"s rais]s1 :ile ga!r+ _! annual crop ( fur1 make x a po9t to trap only two-?irds ( _! gr\nds1 & :5 ?is is exhau/$ ( muskrats !y quit4 ,?is me?od assures ! own] suffici5t bre$+ /ock = ! next crop1 & at ! same "t prev5ts cr[d+ ! animals4 ',rat ran*+ is a bus9ess :i* does n require mu* money or ef=t to build up1 & :5 once e/abli%$ !re is v little to d1 except to trap ! muskrats dur+ ! prop] season4 ,! be/ "t1 9 fact ! mo/ pr(itable "t to d ?is1 is 9 ! e>ly spr+1 :5 pelts are /rictly prime & ! fur is at its be/4 ,judg+ f ! ev]-increas+ popul>ity ( muskrat fur & ! consequ5t rise 9 value1 rat ran*+ c c]ta9ly be consid]$ a pr(itable und]tak+4 ,let u1 = example1 take into consid]ation a fifty-acre m>%1 produc+ ! l[ av]age ( fifte5 'rats p] acre4 ,?is w\ld repres5t an annual crop ( ab\t sev5 hundr$ & fifty pelts4 ,to trap ?is numb] ( animals w\ld require ab\t ?irty days4 ,= elev5 mon?s out ( ! ye>1 ! own] w\ld be free to take up any l9e ( endeavor he may *oose to foll[4 ,consid]+ ! small am\nt ( capital & "t requir$ = ! e/abli%m5t & upkeep ( su* a viv>ium1 is !re any o!r =m ( f>m+ or /ock rais+ m pr(itable8 ,we v5ture ! answ] )\t fe> ( contradiction--!re is absolutely n4 ,*apt] #e4 ,h&l+ & ,grad+ ,muskrat ,fur4 ,?\s&s ( doll>s are annually lo/ to trapp]s on acc\nt ( ! improp] h&l+ ( raw fur4 ,?is is due to bo? ignorance & c>elessness on ! "p ( a c]ta9 class ( trapp]s4 ,if ^! amateurs w\ld pay a little m att5tion to ! prop] way ( kill+ & sk9n+ ! animals1 & ! prop] fle%+1 /ret*+ & dry+ ( ! sk9s1 !y w\ld realize f #e to #aj p] c5t m on _! furs4 ,:5 animals are f\nd alive 9 traps !y may be dispat*$ by a few %>p bl[s on ! head ) a /ick1 :i* %\ld be smoo? & free f knots & /ubs1 o!rwise ! fur is liable to be damag$4 ,an animal :5 caught w (t5 retreat "u ! banks or betwe5 root snags1 & !n !re is always dang] ( ! cat* escap+ by its viol5t /ruggles :5 ! trapp] attempts to dislodge x f its retreat4 ,a 4#bb calib] pi/ol w prove v h&y = j su* em]g5cies2 a bullet betwe5 ! eyes f su* a weapon w subdue ! animal1 :]eupon x c be safely haul$ out4 ,!re is no dang] ( decreas+ ! value ( ! fur :5 us+ su* a small fire>m4 ,trapp$ muskrats are sometimes attack$1 kill$ & torn to %r$s by m9k or owl1 z ^! nocturnal pr[l]s are v fond ( ! fle% ( ^! animals4 ,:5 traps are n promptly look$ aft] e>ly 9 ! day1 magpies & cr[s w (t5 /age a mass attack & peck & h>ass ! poor victims to dea?4 ,su* cat*es are a total loss to ! trapp]1 :o is 9 mo/ "p to blame1 because ( 8 c>elessness 9 att5d+ traps & 8 failure to arrange ! sets s ! entrapp$ animals may dr[n & be ?us conceal$ f view4 ,be=e sk9n+ an animal1 exam9e ! c>cass & make sure t ! fur is clean & free f =eign matt]4 ,:5 an animal is bespatt]$ ) dri$ mud1 proce$ to remove ! same by ?or\ghly bru%+ ! fur2 fre% mud & blood /a9s c be remov$ by rubb+ & r9s+ ! c>cass 9 cold wat]4 ,burs & o!r =eign matt] %\ld also be comb$ & bru%$ out4 ,:5 ?is has be5 accompli%$1 we are ready to sk9 ! animal4 ,!re are two me?ods employ$ 9 sk9n+ ! v>i\s fur-be>]s1 namely1 op5 & cas$4 ,! =m] me?od is us$ on ! l>g] animals1 su* z be>1 wolv]9e1 m\nta9 lion1 etc4 ,! latt] me?od is us$ on ! small] animals1 :i* include our fri5d ! muskrat4 ,! blade ( ! sk9n+ knife %\ld possess a v ke5 edge at all times1 s t !re w be no ragg$ edges on ! pelts4 ,x is mu* easi] & m agreeable to sk9 an animal "r aft] x is kill$1 :ile ! body heat is /ill reta9$4 ,nev] all[ an animal to lay unsk9n$ = m ?an tw5ty-f\r h\rs1 z x is liable to ta9t1 :i* has a t5d5cy to cause ! fur to slip4 ,su* pelts w\ld h little or no value4 ,to sk9 ! muskrat1 cut ! sk9 loose ar\nd ! h9d legs ne> ! feet :]e ! fur ends1 !n rip d[n ! back ( ! h9d legs to ! root ( ! tail & loos5 ! fur ar\nd ! same4 ,d n sk9 ! tail ( ! muskrat1 z ?is has no fur value4 ,n[ lay ! knife aside & peel ! sk9 ) y\r f+]s by draw+ x d[n t[>ds ! head4 ,y w f9d t x w peel v readily1 ) a little fle% "h & !re ?reat5+ to adh]e to ! sk92 mo/ ( ?is c be held back by pu%+ ! f+]s ( "o h& aga9/ x1 :ile pull+ ! sk9 ) ! o!r4 ,to loos5 ! sk9 at ! front legs1 "w ! ?umb ( y\r "r h& betwe5 ! sk9 & ! fle% on ! und]side ( ! ma9 jo9t ( ! leg1 & pull2 ! sk9 w come (f v easily4 ,! knife comes into play aga9 :5 ! e>s are rea*$4 ,^! mu/ be cut (f at ! base1 close to ! head4 ,:5 cutt+ ! sk9 loose ar\nd ! eyes1 c>e mu/ be ex]cis$ to avoid dilat+ ! ap]tures4 ,n[ peel d[n to ! nose & jaws1 & ) ! knife assi/ 9 peel+ ! sk9 f ^! memb]s4 ,! job ( sk9n+ is n[ complete & we h :at is t]m$ a cas$ pelt ) ! fur side 94 ,x is a deplorable fact t a l>ge p]c5tage ( trapp]s d n use ! knife :5 remov+ ! sk9 f ! head ( ! muskrat4 ,!y simply pull x (f by %e] =ce1 ) ! result t ! sk9 g5]ally te>s (f "r back ( ! e>s1 :i* leaves a badly damag$ pelt4 ,su* pelts :5 m>ket$ are ?r[n into ! l[] grades & sell = ab\t #dj p] c5t less4 ,:5 ! pelt is ready = fle%+1 x is plac$ on ! fle%+ bo>d4 ,?is bo>d %\ld be made ( "o-half-in* mat]ial ab\t ?irty in*es long1 f\r & "o-half in*es wide at ! base & ?ree & "o-half in*es wide at ! %\ld]s4 ,! upp] end ( ! bo>d %\ld tap] to a r\nd$ po9t4 ,! edges %\ld be r\nd$ & s&pap]$1 s !re may be no?+ to injure ! fur4 ,a m9k fur /ret*] makes an ideal fle%+ bo>d = muskrats1 because x is j ab\t ! size & %ape requir$4 ,place ! sk9 on ! bo>d fur side 91 & ) a dull knife proce$ to remove all loose fat & fle%4 ,an old table knife is a v h&y tool = ?is purpose4 ,:5 us+ a jackknife1 c>e mu/ be tak5 n to score or te> ! pelt4 ,! sk9 %\ld be held taut ) ! left h&1 :ile manipulat+ ! knife ) ! "r4 ,scrape by work+ f ! head t[>ds ! base1 or vice v]sa1 be+ c>eful n to scrape ! muscles beh9d ! %\ld]s too close1 because ! ends ( ^! are firmly atta*$ to ! sk94 ,:5 all sup]flu\s fat & fle% h be5 remov$1 ! pelt is ready = ! /ret*]4 ,illu/ration3 ,fig4 #c ,!re are v>i\s makes ( /eel & wire fur /ret*]s on ! m>ket1 :i* c be pur*as$ at a reasonable figure2 b = ! accommodation ( muskrat pelts1 ,i "k ( none bett] or *eap] ?an ! common pla9 bo>d /ret*]s :i* are made ( dry goods boxes or simil> mat]ial4 ,^! bo>ds %\ld be made ( "o-qu>t]-in* mat]ial1 ab\t ?irty in*es 9 l5g?1 six in*es wide at ! base & five & "o-half in*es wide at ! %\ld]s4 ,f ! %\ld]s to ! tip ( ! nose !y %\ld rapidly tap]1 com+ to a po9t4 ,?is po9t %\ld be r\nd$ s z to fit ! head snugly 7,see ,fig4 #c74 ,! edges ( ! bo>d %\ld be nicely r\nd$ & smoo?ly s&pap]$4 ,:5 bo>ds are made ( "o-half-in* mat]ial1 !y %\ld be bevel$ d[n to "o-eigh? ( an in* at ! edges4 ,a qu>t]-in* hole %\ld be drill$ 9 ea* bo>d ne> ! base1 s ! pelts may be hung up :5 dry+4 ,x w be rememb]$1 z /at$ else:]e 9 ?is "w1 t muskrats v>y greatly 9 size 9 v>i\s p>ts ( ! c\ntry4 ,?is fact makes x impractical to quote exact dim5sions = /ret*]s4 ,! above dim5sions are an approximate av]age = /&>d sk9s & are giv5 to s]ve z an illu/ration = ! guidance ( ! novice4 ,:5 /ret*+ ! fur1 draw ! pelts on to ! /ret*]1 fur side 91 9 su* a mann] t ! back squ>ely cov]s "o side ( ! bo>d 7z illu/rat$71 :ile ! und]side cov]s ! o!r4 ,nev] /ret* a pelt s c>elessly t p>ts ( bo? ! back & und]side appe> on ea* side ( ! bo>d4 ,draw ! sk9 d[n firmly & fa/5 to ! bo>d by driv+ tacks all ar\nd ! base4 ,a tack %\ld also be driv5 into ! tip ( nose & l[] jaw to hold !m 9 place4 ,! pelts %\ld be hung up to cure 9 a cool1 airy place2 dampness causes mildew1 :i* ru9s !m4 ,nev] dry furs 9 ! sun or too ne> a fire1 z ?is is liable to cause consid]able damage4 ,nev] use salt or any o!r *emicals 9 cur+ pelts2 all[ !m to dry by ! natural process ( evaporation4 ,be sure t !y are held secure aga9/ mice & o!r pe/s4 99 99 99 ,l>ge quantities ( ! *eap] fur are made up & sold "u fictiti\s names by ! manufactur+ furri]s1 su* z ,hudson seal1 riv] m9k1 coney1 nutria1 & o!rs too num]\s to m5tion4 ,hudson seal is ! fur ( muskrat1 :i* is %e>$1 pluck$1 dy$ & beautifully bl5d$ to imitate ! fur seal4 ,riv] m9k is also ! fur ( muskrat prep>$ & dy$ to a ri*1 deep br[n to imitate ! m valuable m9k4 ,coney is a species ( ,european rabbit1 some:at resembl+ our native cottontail1 b ! pelt ( ! =m] is firm & t\gh1 :i* r5d]s x fit = manufactur+ purposes4 ,nutria is ! comm]cial t]m = ! fur ( ! ,s\? ,am]ican coyp\4 ,^! fancy names h be5 adopt$1 no d\bt1 s t ! goods may sell bett]4 ,= in/ance1 t beautiful new black sable cloak1 :i* is s s(t & silky1 & :i* ,mrs4 ,br[n is %[+ ) s mu* pride to h] neighbor ,mrs4 ,smi?1 is 9 reality no?+ m ?an ! unadult]at$ fur ( t despis$ animal1 ! skunk4 ,nev]!less1 ) ! exception ( ! r>e black fox1 ! skunk supplies ! mo/ beautiful & mo/ durable natural black fur ( ,nor? ,am]ica4 ,9 ! mak+ up ( ?is article1 ! :ite /ripes 9 ! fur are elim9at$1 z ?is is hair & n fur1 z "s p errone\sly believe4 ,select specim5s ( ! *eap] fur1 su* z muskrat1 opossum1 etc41 are prep>$ by skill$ furri]s to imitate ! f9] & m valuable furs2 & :5 ^! craftsm5 are ?r\gh ) _! process ( fix+1 x w\ld require ! skill ( an exp]t to di/+ui% ! f9i%$ product f ! g5u9e article :i* x imitates4 ,?\gh ! manufactur+ end ( ! bus9ess is ( little int]e/ to ! trapp] & small deal] 9 raw furs1 ,i m]ely record ! above /atem5ts to give ! av]age read] an idea ( h[ a l>ge p]c5tage ( furs are skillfully cam\flag$ to improve _! appe>ance & ?us promote _! sale4 ,9 ! foll[+ l9es ,i %all endeavor to del9eate1 9 an abridg$ =m1 ! fundam5tals & pr9ciples ( fur grad+2 ?is1 = ! guidance ( ! read]1 :o1 ,i %all presume1 kn[s no?+ ab\t ! art ( grad+ & assort+ raw furs4 ,be x rememb]$ t 9 ?is1 l 9 any o!r art or craft1 ! pa/ ma/] ( t art or craft has f long exp]i5ce acquir$1 unconsci\sly or o!rwise1 a c]ta9 knack1 ! abs5ce ( :i* =ms ! ma9 ob/acle 9 ! pa? ( ! novice4 ,?is fact aga9 calls to m9d ! tru? ( t age old maxim1 ,exp]i5ce is ! be/ tea*]4 ,:at ,i am ab\t to set =? "h on ! subject is done ) ! view 9 m9d ( assi/+ ! amateur muskrat trapp] 79 ^: int]e/ ?is is writt57 to "k & det]m9e ! value ( 8 fur1 :i* w enable him to realize m money on 8 cat* & to f9d a bett] m>ket = 8 goods4 ,9 my own days ( adolesc5ce z an amateur m9k & muskrat trapp]1 x has be5 my privilege to h&le & exam9e ! pelts ( hundr$s ( muskrats4 ,?is /udy & exp]i5ce1 alone1 h be5 invaluable to me 9 buy+ & sell+ raw furs4 ,,pelt3 ,! inspection ( ! pelt or fle% side ( a piece ( fur is g5]ally ! fir/ ?+ ! fur buy] does1 = ! reason t ! furs ( mo/ ( ! diff]5t animals are /ret*$ & %ipp$ to m>ket pelt side out4 ,! degree ( prim5ess ( any piece ( fur is l>gely det]m9$ by ! appe>ance ( ! pelt4 ,to pass z ,no4 #a1 a pelt mu/ possess a :ite1 p9k or fle% color4 ,:5 blue spots are app>5t on ! pelts1 !y are t]m$ blue-pelts or unprime4 ,! value ( ^! dep5ds on ! am\nt ( blue %[+ on ! pelts4 ,:5 a pelt is possess$ ( b a few /reaks or spots ( blue1 x is t]m$ good unprime & goes into grade ,no4 #b4 ,! ,no4 #c1 or poor unprime1 are ^? :]e ! degree ( prim5ess cov]s #dj p] c5t or m ( ! pelt4 ,any peltries bel[ ?is plane ( prim5ess are ( little or no value4 ,) ! exception ( ! muskrat & "o or two o!rs1 ! pelts ( fur be>]s are g5]ally /rictly prime dur+ ! latt] "p ( ,novemb] & ! mon?s ( ,decemb]1 ,janu>y & ,febru>y1 ?\gh occasionally an animal is caught dur+ ! latt] "p ( ,novemb] or e>ly ,decemb] ^: pelt is n /rictly prime1 b ^! are exceptions4 ,f ?is x c be readily se5 t ! appe>ance ( blue-pelts 9 a trapp]'s collection ( furs is due to e>ly & late trapp+4 ,?is trapp+ out ( season %\ld n be enc\rag$1 & is n[ illegal 9 mo/ /ates4 ,a pelt :i* has be5 damag$ :ile kill+ or sk9n+ its we>]1 or 9 ! process ( fle%+1 /ret*+ & cur+1 _c be class$ z ,no4 #a1 ?\gh ! pelt may be prime & ! fur ( good quality4 ,su* pelts are class$ z ,no4 #b's1 #c's1 & tra%1 all dep5d+ on ! am\nt ( damage done4 ,a pelt :i* has ta9t$ or heat$ on acc\nt ( fle% adh]+1 is consid]$ valueless :5 ! damage ?us incurr$ loos5s ! fur & causes x to slip :5 h&l$2 su* peltries are t]m$ tra% & are unfit = any purpose4 ,to avoid disa/]1 keep 9 m9d ! importance ( prop]ly fle%+ ! pelts z soon z !y are tak5 (f ! animals4 ,,fur3 ,?\gh ! condition ( ! pelt is an important factor 9 det]m9+ ! value ( furs1 ! fur on fur side is ( mu* m importance1 also m difficult to grade & assort intellig5tly4 ,! quality ( ! fur bespeaks ! real value ( ! sk94 ,! vital po9ts = consid]ation are3 d5sity1 l5g?1 color1 %e5 & sup]ficial lu/]4 ,bl[ into a piece ( fur aga9/ ! gra9 & y w notice two di/9ct lay]s4 ,^! are def9$ z inn] or "u fur1 & top or gu>d hair4 ,! =m] is ! basis ( ! fur coat & on a ,no4 #a sk9 mu/ exhibit a v d5se gr[?4 ,pelts :i* possess a poor or ?9 coat ( "u fur are grad$ d[n4 ,! gu>d hair =ms ! out] lay] ( ! fur coat & mu/ be sp>se 9 d5sity1 b uni=m ?r\gh\t ! pelt4 ,! v>i\s %ades ( color & silky gloss9ess ( ^! gu>d hairs h>moniz+ ) ! "u fur is :at gives ! fur its natural beauty4 ,_m a piece ( fur w appe> to be 9 fir/-class condition1 b close scrut9y w (t5 reveal ! fact t gu>d hairs are miss+ 9 spots4 ,?is gives ! fur a rugg$ or %aggy appe>ance4 ,furs possess+ su* defects _c be made up 9 _! natural /ate1 b mu/ be ei!r %e>$ or pluck$4 ,on ! grad+ %eet !y are classifi$ z rubb$ & are grad$ d[n accord+ly4 ,?is loss ( gu>d hair is due to v>i\s reasons1 pr9cipally ! pres5ce ( p>asites 9 ! fur1 :i* causes ! animal to rub aga9/ =eign objects4 ,:ite fur1 su* z t ( ! erm9e or ,arctic fox1 is valu$ z to ! purity ( its color4 ,! pure or sn[ :ite pelts are ! mo/ valuable4 ,o!r %ades 9 ?is class are gray :ite1 blue :ite & yell[i% to cream color4 ,to comm& ! highe/ m>ket prices1 x is ess5tial t :ite fur be free f all blood /a9s4 ,! policy ( color is rev]s$ 9 ! assort+ ( ! black1 br[n1 r$ & gray furs4 ,"h ! rule is1 ! d>k] ! %ades ( ! v>i\s colors1 ! m valuable ! fur4 ,! m]e color & beauty ( c]ta9 furs ( ! same species (t5 create a trem5d\s diff]5ce 9 ! range ( values4 ,let u1 = example1 consid] ! pelts ( two foxes3 ,we w say !y are bo? l>ge sk9s & p]fectly prime1 b "o is a r$1 :ile ! o!r is a black fox4 ,?\gh bo? ( ^! foxes may be ( ! same consangu9ity1 ! pelt ( ! black w\ld be wor? ab\t z _m hundr$s z t ( ! r$ w\ld be wor? doll>s4 ,9 ! case ( ! m9k1 ott]1 m>t5 & o!r f9e furs1 a well furr$ pelt ( d>k color is (t5 wor? two or ?ree times z mu* z a pale color$ pelt ( equal size & quality4 ,t[>ds spr+ _m furs fade or gr[ pale 9 color1 "s are rubb$ & ! fur appe>s woolly4 ,^! are grad$ d[n & t]m$ s+$ or spr+y1 & z a consequ5ce are less valuable4 ,to receive full value = raw furs1 ! tails mu/ also receive prop] att5tion4 ,:]e !y are p>tly or :olly miss+ or h be5 damag$ beyond r$emption1 ! furs are disc\nt$4 ,?is am\nts to f t5 to tw5ty-five p] c5t ( ! value ( ! pelt4 ,all tails %\ld be split a portion ( _! l5g? & ! bone remov$1 o!rwise !y are apt to spoil4 ,! tails ( muskrat1 opossum & beav] are left on ! c>cass1 z !y h no fur value4 ,,size3 ,!re are ?ree sizes ( pelts1 namely1 l>ge1 m$ium & small2 b deal]s 9 raw furs f9d x necess>y to quote a special grade = ! v small or und]size sk9s4 ,^! kitts1 z !y are t]m$1 are ! sk9s ( ! "y ( late litt]s4 ,!y are n mature 9 pelt & ! fur is ( poor quality1 h5ce ( little value4 ,a ,no4 #a l>ge pelt is usually wor? ab\t twice z mu* z "o ( ! same quality 9 ! small size4 ,f ?is ! read] may ga!r t ! l>ge grade pelt mu/ be twice ! size ( ! small1 b ?is is errone\s4 ,! fact is1 t 9 mo/ species ( fur be>]s ! v>iation 9 ! l>ge1 m$ium & small size is b a diff]5ce ( two or ?ree in*es 9 ! l5g? ( ! pelt4 ,j :y !re is su* a radical diff]5ce 9 price is a my/]i\s prank ( ! fur trade1 = :i* no "o p]son is responsible4 ,on ! o!r h&1 a small size pelt :i* is ( good color & possesses a lu/r\s & d5se coat ( fur1 is (t5 wor? z mu* or m ?an a l>ge pelt ( poor color4 ,rememb] t dim5sions ( ! sk9 & prim5ess ( pelt are ( little consid]ation :5 ! fur lacks quality4 ,,grad+ ,,muskrats3 ,muskrats1 unlike mo/ o!r furs1 are n /rictly prime 9 pelt until e>ly spr+4 ,= t reason !y are assort$ "u ?ree head+s1 z foll[s3 ,fall1 w9t] & spr+4 ,! pelt ( ! fall muskrat displays v little prim5ess1 b is end[$ ) a fairly d5se gr[? ( fur1 & !re=e is 9 good dem&4 ,! degree ( prim5ess increases z ! season advances1 & :5 fifty p] c5t or m ( ! pelt is prime !y are quot$ z ,w9t]4 ,:5 !y are fully prime1 :i* occurs dur+ ! latt] "p ( ,febru>y or e>ly ,m>*1 !y are t]m$ ,spr+ 'rats & comm& ! be/ prices4 ,abnormally ?9 pelts are n uncommon among fur be>]s1 b ?is defect is mo/ frequ5tly f\nd on muskrats4 ,j :at causes ?is imp]fection is n def9itely kn[n4 ,! writ] :ile trapp+ 9 ! prairie region ( ,dakota caught bo? riv] & m>% 'rats1 & discov]$ t ! pelts ( ! latt] 7 v ?91 & :5 dry rattl$ l pap] :5 h&l$2 ! color ( ! fur 0 a pale1 ru/y r$ & v dull comp>$ ) t ( ! pelts ( ! riv] 'rats 9 ! same di/rict4 ,i believe ! inf]ior quality ( ! fur ( ^! m>% 'rats is due to ! excessive am\nt ( alkali pres5t 9 ! m>%y wat]s ( ! ,nor?we/4 ,pap]y peltries are disc\nt$ f t5 to tw5ty-five p] c5t1 because ! lea!r ( su* ?9 pelt$ fur is delicate & n v la/+4 ,!re is a l>g] p]c5tage ( kitts f\nd 9 ! av]age collection ( fall muskrat pelts ?an among any o!r k9d ( fur4 ,^! pelts are poorly furr$ & v small comp>$ ) ^? ( mature animals1 & are ( little value4 ,9 ! spr+ muskrats fight a great deal1 especially ! males4 ,z a result1 ! pelts ( ^! are (t5 damag$ consid]ably4 ,x is n an uncommon occurr5ce to f9d entrapp$ muskrats s badly *ew$ & torn1 by _! own k9d1 t x does n pay to sk9 !m4 ,9 assort+ muskrats1 buy]s usually pay m att5tion to size & prim5ess ( pelt ?an !y d to ! fur1 because x is g5]ally conc$$ t ! av]age run ( 'rat fur is good4 ,nature end[s ! muskrat ) a d5se coat ( fur1 :i*1 9 fact1 is a necessity to fur!r its welf>e 9 ! icy wat]s 9 :i* x lives4 ,z be=e /at$1 'rats1 l mo/ ( ! o!r fur be>]s1 v>y consid]ably 9 size 9 v>i\s p>ts ( ! c\ntry4 ,= example ! pelt ( a l>ge ,s\?we/]n muskrat is no l>g] ?an t ( an ,atlantic coa/ 'rat ( ! small grade4 ,! di/ricts :i* %[ a m>k$ diff]5ce 9 ! value & size ( 'rat pelts may be divid$ into f\r gr\ps1 z foll[s3 ,fir/1 ,ea/]n ,canada1 ,new ,engl&1 ,new ,york1 ,p5nsylvania1 ,new ,j]sey1 ,mi*igan1 ,ohio1 ,indiana1 ,ill9ois1 & ,we/ ,virg9ia2 second1 ,delaw>e1 ,k5tucky1 ,m>yl&1 ,virg9ia1 ,t5nessee1 & ! ,c>ol9as2 ?ird1 ,wiscons91 ,m9nesota1 ,i[a1 ,nebraska1 & ! ,nor?we/2 f\r?1 ,miss\ri1 ,arkansas1 ,kansas1 to ! ,pacific & ,s\!rn4 ,! pelts ( ! fir/ di/rict are ( ! be/ quality & !re=e comm& ! be/ prices4 ,^? ( ! second av]age ab\t t5 p] c5t less p] pelt1 & ^? ( ! ?ird & la/ di/rict av]age ab\t tw5ty & ?irty-five p] c5t less1 respectively1 ?an ^? ( ! fir/ nam$ di/rict4 ,,end ,,( ,,! ,,accompli%$ ,,muskrat ,,trapp]