,transcriber's ,note3 ,inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have been preserved4 ,obvious typographical errors have been corrected4 ,italic text is denoted by underscores and bold text by equal signs4 ,page #jcd3 are built par-to keep out the rain4 ,a line of text might be missing4 ,,fur ,,farming ,,for ,,profit ,with ,especial ,reference to ,skunk ,raising ,illustration3 ,skunk ,price #a4jj ,the ,,laymon ,,fur ,,farm ,,co41 ,spencer1 ,ind4 ,,live ,,mink ,,wanted ,,also ,,mink ,,pelts ,,ginseng ,,yellowroot ,,etc4 ,highest market price paid for ,a#a ,live ,mink and ,mink fur4 ,write your dealer for quotations1 then write us4 ,we pay express charges and remit same day goods are received4 ,,william ,,weddle ,,spencer1 ,,ind4 ,,fur ,,farming ,,for ,,profit ,with ,especial ,reference to ,skunk ,raising ,by ,h4 ,b4 ,laymon ,proprietor of the ,laymon ,skunk ,farm #aiac ,the ,laymon ,fur ,farm ,co4 ,spencer1 ,indiana ,copyrighted #aiac ,by ,h4 ,b4 ,,laymon ,,press ,,of ,,the ,,epitomist ,,pub4 ,,co4 ,,spencer1 ,,indiana ,,contents4 page ,introduction #e ,frontispiece #h ,chapter ,i #i ,general ,character of the ,skunk--,skunk a ,clean ,animal-- ,grading4 ,chapter ,,ii #ai ,fur ,farming--,supply and ,demand--,opinions--,a ,bright ,future for ,fur ,farmers4 ,chapter ,,iii #bf ,enclosures--,dens--,food--,care--,breed ing4 ,chapter ,,iv #ci ,trapping--,skinning--,shipping--,how to ,handle ,skunk without ,being ,scented4 ,chapter ,v #ea ,habits of the ,skunk--,breeding--,size of ,litters--,ideas of ,trappers and ,farmers4 ,chapter ,,vi #eh ,miscellaneous ,information--,removing the ,scent ,sacs-- ,laws ,relating to ,skunk ,raising--,dye ,markings--,how to ,ship ,live ,skunk4 ,chapter ,,vii #gb ,questions and ,answers on ,many ,subjects4 ,illustration3 ,breeding ,range1 ,constructed of ,galvanized ,iron4 ,,introduction4 ,i came from a family of hunters and farmers4 ,this reminds me of a quaint saying ,i heard when ,i was a boy4 ,we were talking about hogs at the time4 ,a young girl overhearing our conversation1 remonstrated with us because we appeared to have some of the habits of hogs wrong4 ,we asked her how she knew we were wrong in our diagnosis of the hog8 ,and she answered3 ,well1 ,i guess ,i ought to know1 ,i was brought up among hogs1 lived among them all my life6 ,this is my case exactly1 ,i have been brought up among skunk4 ,i have made a study of skunk1 and ,i think ,i know skunk4 ,i know this much well3 ,years ago the thought struck me that there ought to be money in raising skunk for fur and breeding purposes4 ,to prove the right or wrong of this1 ,i started to raise skunk4 ,i captured a female and her litter1 later got a star buck1 and with this beginning ,i have succeeded in establishing one of the largest and most successful skunk farms in ,america1 and ,i am proud of it4 ,i do not mean to imply by this that ,i think ,i know it all about skunk4 ,far be it from that4 ,but what ,i know has been learned by diligent study and the best of all practical experience4 ,my farm was not a success from the start4 ,it took a few years for me to learn the how of things1 but ,i am glad to say that things are looking bright for yours truly4 ,i firmly believe a few years more will see me independently rich1 and from an old piece of land which would be practically worthless for any other use4 ,my motive for writing this book is to benefit my fellow man4 ,hundreds of people have written me for information about skunk4 ,it would be impossible for me to courteously answer one-tenth the mail ,i get in a personal way4 ,it struck me1 inasmuch as there was no book on the market devoted to the skunk that by compiling this information in readable form ,i would be accomplishing a certain amount of good4 ,i feel this1 too1 if ,i had had the help in the first place--the information contained in this book--,i would be worth twice as much more and saved myself years of trouble and much financial loss4 ,i was the pioneer1 and was blazing the way for others to make success4 ,to all those who are desirous of trying the raising of fur-bearers for profit we say3 read this book carefully--study it1--and then if you feel that you can make it a paying business1 make a small enclosure and try a half dozen animals4 ,by the end of a year or two1 you will know whether you are going to like it2 whether you can make a success of it or not1 and will have acquired a lot of very necessary knowledge regarding the animals1 that could not have been obtained in any other way4 ,you will know then whether to go ahead or not1 and if the former1 you will also know how4 ,while the ,u4 ,s4 ,government is actively engaged in raising elk1 buffalo1 deer and other animals including fur-bearers1 few bulletins are issued which give any direct valuable information on skunk4 ,government officials 7the kid-glove kind7 stick up their nose at the lowly skunk1 and without reason4 ,the skunk is a clean animal1 easily domesticated1 and known to be one of the most valuable animals to have around the farm4 ,only recently has this been thoroughly demonstrated4 ,such information as could be obtained from government sources has been incorporated in this book4 ,i have had no hesitancy in utilizing the information from other sources also4 ,chief among them has been the ,hunter-,trader-,trapper ,magazine published by ,a4 ,r4 ,harding ,pub4 ,co41 of ,columbus1 ,ohio1 also his book on ,fur ,farming and such catalogues and guides as ,andersch ,bros4 and others fur firms issue to their trade4 ,i differ with them when experience has taught me that my way of raising skunk is easier or more profitable1 and ,i agree with them on many general principles4 ,i have incorporated in this book also the experience of many other farmers and trappers4 ,i have found many helpful hints in their letters which have been very valuable to me4 ,and for what knowledge ,i have gained from them1 ,i hereby acknowledge my indebtedness4 ,may they live long and prosper4 ,h4 ,b4 ,,laymon4 ,spencer1 ,ind41 ,july #aj1 #aiac4 ,illustration3 ,laymon ,handling an ,unaltered ,skunk4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,general ,character of ,the ,skunk4 ,the skunk is a little understood animal4 ,by this we mean1 that ordinary people1 other than naturalists or scientists1 little understand the habits and value of skunk4 ,by some the skunk is classed as a reptile or varmint1 and on account of its odor1 is detested4 ,other animals throw scent1 notably the mink and muskrat1 of course not to the extent that the skunk does4 ,it is on account of this scent1 that skunks are detested4 ,we have animals on our farm which have never thrown a grain4 ,and are yet in their wild state4 ,they do not easily become frightened1 hence have no use for their means of protection4 ,that's the only time they use it1 and seldom when fighting among themselves4 ,to make a success out of anything1 it is admitted one must know the thing4 ,to be a successful farmer one must know what to raise and how4 ,so with raising of skunk1 one must understand skunk1 just as one understands horses1 cows1 sheep or poultry4 ,and skunk1 when properly understood can be raised in captivity at a great profit4 #ejj1jjj skins were shipped to ,london last year1 besides the skins which were used here in domestic manufacture4 ,it is surprising to note the change in conditions1 due largely to the enlightenment of the rural population to the benefits of the skunk1 also to the rapid increase and value of their pelts4 ,many skunk farms are in existence1 the owners making a business of raising these animals for their pelts4 ,while this may be a queer business1 nevertheless it is perfectly legitimate1 and as far as known1 profitable4 ,a ready sale of the pelts is to be had1 and the skins from these domesticated animals generally bring higher average prices1 being well handled and killed at a time when the fur is at its best4 ,the domestic animal like cultivated fruits1 are larger and in every way more valuable than the wild animal4 ,the skunk is found in nearly all the states and territories of the ,union and climate and geographical conditions are responsible for the great variation in size and color of its pelage4 ,there are very few fur-bearing animals as plentiful1 and especially in the civilized sections1 that bring such a handsome income to the farmer as does the skunk4 ,as noted1 the chief difference in character1 besides the size of the animal itself1 lies in the color of its fur4 ,the body is #af to #bb inches long1 its tail from root to farthest point of fur1 #ab to #af inches1 the latter being covered with hair1 the color of which varies1 depending upon the color of the fur on the body4 ,for instance1 the fur on the tail of a black or short striped skunk is black or nearly all black1 7first grade7 while that of the broad or narrow striped skunk is interspersed with black and white hairs4 ,while the skin of the animal is very valuable1 the tail is rarely used1 though manufacturers of late years have consumed the hair in the manufacture of brushes and similar purposes4 ,the legs are short and close to the body1 the paw is naked and the five toes on each foot are closely grown together like that of the badger4 ,the foot is well adapted to digging1 but they dig very little in the tame state4 ,the toes are not webbed2 the head is small1 with short1 rounded ears and rather long1 projecting nose1 with two small piercing eyes4 ,the ,skunk a ,clean ,animal4 ,the skunk in general appearance is always neat and clean1 and in walking seemingly takes special pride1 like the peacock1 as when promenading1 its tail is erect and its back peculiarly curved4 ,very few animals are as harmless as this creature and were it not for the peculiar odor which it distributes when in danger1 it would be more hunted and probably eradicated in sections4 ,its principal weapon1 as heretofore noted1 is a peculiar secretion and fluid possessing a very disagreeable odor4 ,this fluid is of a pale yellow color and is discharged by the animal when in danger1 in thin-like streams and with such accuracy and aim as to strike any object within #f to #ab feet4 ,the fluid is secreted in two annal glands from which by the contraction of the sub-caudal muscles and by uplifting of the tail it is discharged in the form as stated above4 ,these sacs are now removed with very little trouble by farmers1 and without endangering the fur or breeding qualities of the animal1 or ill-effect to the operator4 ,the removal of the scent sac has a tendency to increase the size of the animal ultimately4 ,we believe1 too1 that it requires less food to sustain life1 consequently it is considered a profitable operation to perform4 ,it is certain that the altered animal becomes more easily domesticated4 ,learn to remove the scent sacs and thus avoid all complaints of neighbors and any personal inconvenience4 ,if you learn to do this you can sell your striped skunks for pets or curiosities and in this way get good prices though the skins would be of small value4 ,the animal is carnivorous1 nocturnal1 not entirely terrestrial1 as occasionally he is known to climb trees1 perhaps not of choice but rather compulsion1 being forced to this fancied secure position by the hunter or his dog4 ,consequently his arboreal1 like his amphibious habits1 are rather undeserved credentials4 ,the theory that the animal climbs the trees in search of food and birds1 is discredited4 ,the animal is beneficial in many ways to the farmer1 and his eradication from any farming community should be prevented1 and laws prohibiting the wanton destruction encouraged4 ,the contrast in size of the animal and the important variation in the color of its pelage1 due to climatic and geographical differences1 cannot be denied4 ,the breeding and inter-breeding of the different colored furred species is the principal explanation why the young of a litter are so much unlike in color4 ,the color usually dominates to the black4 ,it is proven that #ej of the young of a white female will breed blacks if the male is black4 ,to breed stars1 the male and female should be all black1 if possible4 #ij of such young will be black1 and it is possible to raise to maturity #ij of such litters4 ,it is our experience that the female at rutting time will cohabit with more than one male like a dog or rather like a cat which it more generally resembles4 ,the predominating color of the fur of all species is black and white with the exception of the ,texas skunk1 which due to a peculiar soil1 is of reddish cast4 ,some of the animals have a clear coat of fur1 others are all black excepting a small white star1 but the majority have two stripes1 some terminating at the center of body1 on others the stripe continuing from the forehead over the body1 terminating at the tail4 ,this carnivorous and nocturnal animal is unlike most every other animal possessing these habits4 ,he can be seen in the early morning returning to his haunts1 and once in a while in the middle of the day2 at no time is he in a hurry1 or will he discommode himself by getting out of your sight or especially away from your path4 ,his mode of locomotion is slow1 and rarely will he be found away from his haunt a greater distance than one or two miles4 ,his abode is usually in a hollow log1 under some old barn or granary1 or in a hole on the sunny side of some hill4 ,he enjoys a sun bath1 probably more than does the bear or the badger4 ,his meal is made up by free consumption of worms1 bugs1 grasshoppers1 mice1 birds and eggs4 ,in some sections he is known to be quite a vegetarian1 consuming as he does1 roots1 berries1 vegetables1 and fruits4 ,occasionally frequents the hen-roost1 not only for eggs1 but for the hen as well4 ,the young like bread and milk1 while we feed the old hominy hearts mixed with water and milk4 ,the animal passes the winter season in a state of incomplete hibernation1 and at regular intervals he will arise1 come out of his abode and expose his body to the sun1 and judging from the effluvium1 empty its distended pouches1 but the stench thus caused1 soon ceases1 which is not the case when it is spurted under irritation or in self-defense4 ,dr4 ,coues states that the animal uses this secretion in the relation of its perpetuation of the species1 though overshadowed by its exaggeration into a powerfully effective means of preservation of the individual1 is evidently the same as in other species of ,mustelidae1 each one of which has its own emanation to bring the sexes together1 not only by simply indicating their whereabouts1 but by serving as a positive attraction4 ,in the case of the skunk1 it would seem that the strong scent has actually tended to result in a more gregarious mode of life than is usual in this family of mammals2 and it is certain1 at any rate1 that the occupancy by one animal of a permanent winter abode serves to attract others to the same retreat4 ,burrows are sometimes found to contain as many as a dozen individuals1 not members of one family1 but various adult animals drawn together4 ,one other effect of the possession of such unique powers is seen not so much in mode of life as in the actual disposition of the creature4 ,its heedless familarity1 its temerity in pushing into places which other animals instinctively avoid as dangerous1 and its indisposition to seek safety by hasty retreat1 are evident results of its confidence in the extraordinary means of defense with which it is provided4 ,in the domesticated state they do not use the scent only under extreme agitation4 ,dogs create this excitement1 man seldom1 even when handling them4 ,when held by the tail1 they are really unable to throw the scent4 ,the ,white ,skunk4 ,the animal that has a clear1 white-furred pelt is very sparingly found1 in fact so seldom1 that many consider it a freak of nature and not a distinct species4 ,personally we do not find it pays to raise white skunk1 save as pets1 or the females for breeding purposes4 ,we dispose of them before they have become an expense to us4 ,it is the wise man who can judge when to kill and when to keep4 ,the ,black ,skunk4 ,the animal that has a black coat of fur is found in many states1 those of ,new ,york1 ,new ,jersey1 ,pennsylvania1 ,michigan1 ,wisconsin1 and ,eastern ,canada1 are better furred1 and in consequence command better prices than those coming from the central states4 ,the black skunk is also found in ,illinois1 ,indiana1 ,kentucky1 ,arkansas1 ,virginia1 ,north ,carolina and ,south ,carolina1 in fact in every locality excepting in the northwestern states1 also northwestern parts of ,canada4 ,the animal cohabits with the other species1 and there is no apparent rule governing the breeding and inter-breeding and the probable coloration of the offspring4 ,somewhat disregarding the color of the parents1 the litter contains black1 white1 short1 narrow and broad striped youngsters4 ,but #ij will take after full black parents4 ,if you use ,star bucks you can reasonably expect ,star stock4 ,the fur of the black skunk1 especially the eastern variety1 is soft1 wavy1 and of a deep lustrous black4 ,those animals that have only a small white furred star at the forehead are commercially called black skunk4 ,great care should be taken in selecting the male breeders to avoid in-breeding4 ,a skunk matures1 or its fur becomes prime and salable in six months4 ,the female brings forth young in a year4 ,the life of a skunk is from five to seven years4 ,short ,striped ,skunk4 ,this animal inhabits the same section as the black skunk1 the only difference between them is that the small white star of the former develops into prongs or two distinct white-furred stripes1 starting at the forehead and terminating at or about the shoulders or center of body4 ,quite often the forehead is entirely covered with white fur1 and immediately beginning at the top of head the white hair continues in two prongs1 each varying in width from three-eighths to three-fourths of an inch4 ,should the white stripes continue clear across the body and terminate at the nail1 such skins cannot be classed as short striped but are known as long1 narrow or broad stripe4 ,short striped skins are second in value1 the price being about one-third less than that of the black skins4 ,the white stripes are of no value to the manufacturer1 and for that reason the skin that has the greatest amount of black fur is worth more and the value lessened by the increase of the white stripe4 ,the fur of the tail is black with intermingled white hairs4 ,the disagreeable odor is removed by the dresser 7tanner7 and by the time the skin reaches the manufacturer1 it is cleansed from all impurities and ready to be made into garments4 ,narrow ,striped ,skunk4 ,this animal inhabits nearly every state and territory of the ,union and greater part of ,canada1 and is the true ,american skunk4 ,his coat of fur is black1 excepting two white stripes beginning at the forehead and terminating at the tail4 ,the width of these stripes varies somewhat1 depending upon the size of the animal1 usually three-eighths to three-fourths of an inch4 ,there is always a goodly portion of black fur between these stripes4 ,the white stripes are narrow and close together1 but widen apart at center of back1 and again narrowing when close to the root of tail4 ,the largest animals of the skunk family come under the long or narrow striped species4 ,broad ,striped ,skunk4 ,this animal is found in common with the previous species1 and its difference is only in the width of the white stripe which is wider1 and the quantity of black fur on the skin is lessened1 thereby diminishing the value of the skin4 ,there is no apparent iron-clad rule1 or a dividing line between1 or just where and when a skin should be called broad stripe and not a narrow striped skin4 ,this naturally must be left largely to the judgment and discretion of the buyer or the manufacturer1 who1 in grading1 seeks an average more than any particular dividing line4 ,the tail is covered with hairs with occasionally interspersed black hairs4 ,one ,striped ,skunk4 ,this animal has a long1 horizontal white stripe extending from forehead1 continuing over the body1 terminating at root of the tail2 the latter is covered with white fur and is probably more bushy in proportion to its size1 than the other northwestern species4 ,the skin is of no great value4 ,the fur is rather coarse and the skins undesirable4 ,from the above description it will be noted that the value of the pelt lies principally in the quantity of black fur2 diminishing by the increase of white and increasing by the lessening of the white fur4 ,it may be of interest to note that skunk fur after it is manufactured is not sold as skunk1 but is a good substitute for many different kinds of fur which has a higher value placed upon it4 ,of late years the white stripes that are cut out of the skins are being used in the manufacture of spurious tails which are dyed to imitate the natural tail of mink1 marten1 etc4 ,at other times these white pieces are sold in connection with other fur scraps or cuttings to hat manufacturers4 ,only those skins that are prime in leather and full furred1 command good prices4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,fur ,farming--,supply and ,demand4 ,from the dawn of history in this country the fur trade has been an important branch of commerce and had much to do with the rapid advance of discovery and exploration in the early days4 ,but the extensive trapping operations since that time have sadly depleted the ranks of all species of fur-bearing animals and some of the most valuable are rapidly nearing extinction4 ,this is especially true of the central and eastern portions of the ,united ,states1 and the time is approaching when the ever increasing demand for furs must be met by some way other than trapping the wild animals--but how8 ,fur farming appears to offer the only solution to the problem4 ,the raising of fur-bearing animals is still in its infancy1 but many experiments have been tried out from time to time1 and it is a proven fact that if it is undertaken and carried out in an intelligent manner1 the industry is bound to be successful2 and why not8 ,all of our domestic animals and fowls were wild creatures at one time4 ,there are practically no new and unexplored regions to trap and even in faraway ,siberia1 which we are taught to believe a land of wilderness and a fine fur-producing country1 reports say that fur-bearers are becoming scarcer each year4 ,the regions which have not yet been explored by the white men1 have for many years been trapped by the savage inhabitants4 ,fur traders push into all accessible districts1 and the trappers also1 sometimes bring their goods hundreds of miles in order to trade with the white people4 ,south ,america produces some furs1 but the catch is not heavy1 perhaps because there is not much trapping done there4 ,but the furs from the more distant regions are1 as a rule1 of the more valuable kinds1 and cannot supply the demand of the great middle class of people1 the largest consumers4 ,such furs cannot take the place of those of the muskrat1 skunk1 raccoon and oppossum1 for these furs are usually made up to imitate the more expensive kinds4 ,but as the supply decreases the demand increases at an equal rate4 ,the skunk1 mink and muskrat do well in settled sections4 ,there is always a cash market for raw furs and since the discovery of ,america1 raw furs have been an important article of commerce4 ,an industry paying the hunter and trapper probably #ae1jjj1jjj yearly is one that should receive attention4 ,the demand for furs is increasing as the population of the world is becoming more and more4 ,again furs are being put to more uses than ever4 ,while the demand for furs is increasing1 what of the supply8 ,the day1 perhaps is not far in the distance when the demand will call for two or three times as many furs as today4 ,where are they to come from1 if not from fur farming8 ,a well known fur dealer in ,minneapolis sizes up the situation in a nut-shell3 ,under proper conditions1 with intelligent care1 raising fur animals can be made to pay4 ,the raiser starting on a small scale and increasing as their knowledge increases4 ,most all successful business is built up by starting small4 ,conda ,j4 ,ham1 in the ,hunter-,trader-,trapper ,magazine1 says3 ,did you ever stop to seriously think where your furs and your fur coats would come from twenty or thirty years from now8 ,at the rate fur-bearing animals are being killed off at the present time1 there would not be fur enough thirty years from now to properly clothe the nobility of the old world1 to say nothing of our ,american women who must have their new furs each season1 and the others who must have at least one or two sets during a lifetime4 ,the fur industry is admittedly fast dying a violent death4 ,some other remedy than those already prescribed must be discovered4 ,we still have sections of the country where the same wild state of nature exists that could have been found three hundred years ago4 ,we still have plenty of fur-bearing animals to keep alive their species if proper conditions prevailed4 ,therefore1 it would seem that the problem to solve is1 how can these conditions be best secured4 ,mr4 ,norman ,a4 ,wood1 expert taxidermist in the ,university of ,michigan's museum1 the man most familiar with the animal life within the state and one of the greatest authorities on animal life in the whole ,northwest1 declares the fur industry can be saved only through the medium of great fur farms4 ,his study of the situation has convinced him that the commercial growing of fur is coming to be one of the great industries of ,america4 ,in various parts of the country such farms are to be found1 and the profit derived from them has been sufficient to prove the success of the venture4 ,skunk farms have been started in various parts of the ,united ,states within the past few years and are proving paying enterprises4 ,it is no vague dream that prompts one to speak of fur farming4 ,the signs of the times point that way1 indisputably4 ,every year the price of raw furs bounds up to hitherto unknown levels1 the demand is constantly increasing almost as fast as the supply diminishes1 and with it having been demonstrated that fur-bearing animals can be raised1 men are not going to let such chances slip by4 ,a4 ,r4 ,harding1 editorially in the same magazine says1 speaking of fur farming3 ,the business surely looks like a gold mine at present prices of fur and breeding stock4 ,even should prices be reduced by one-half or more the business bids to continue very profitable4 ,while scores1 perhaps hundreds1 will make good with the more valuable foxes--black-silver1 cross--thousands will find that profits may not be so great 7neither is the expense to get started7 with the common red fox1 skunk1 mink1 marten1 coon1 oppossum and muskrat1 yet the raising of these animals is not apt to influence values4 ,the world needs millions of these skins each year1 and the market is not so limited as with the high priced furs4 ,looks like a great future for the raiser of these animals4 ,there is no denying the fact that the supply of wild fur bearers is gradually becoming less1 not only in ,america1 but throughout the entire world1 while the demand for furs is constantly increasing4 ,here is a bright future to ,fur ,farming4 ,the person who knows something of the habits of the animal or animals that they expect to raise1 will be the successful one4 ,the same applies to fur farming4 ,the farmer who has given attention to fur-bearing animals are the ones most apt to be successful4 ,a good many attempts were made at raising skunks1 a number of years ago1 most of which were failures4 ,some entered the business on a large scale1 knowing nothing of the animals1 and of course failed2 others penned up a few skunks and as they were not properly cared for1 failure was the result4 ,the advanced price for skunk skins in recent years1 has caused a revival in their raising4 ,this time1 an entirely different class of people are taking up the work1 and they are going to succeed4 ,why8 ,because they know something of the animal and are going at the business in a calm and business-like way4 ,illustration3 ,one of ,laymon's ,stars4 ,people are not investing their all in a business without realizing the possibility of success or failure4 ,more is known of the ,skunk today4 ,it is not the feared animal that it was yesterday4 ,the day is not far distant when it will take its rightful place among fur-bearers and its hides sold for what they really are4 ,there is hardly a more finer fur than skunk and it should not be necessary to hide its identity under a substitute name4 ,the fur farmer1 should the market be low for certain animals1 can keep over4 ,nine times in ten1 this is the time to raise as many as possible1 for by another season1 that particular article is likely to be in demand4 ,to illustrate3 ,in the winter of #aijh-ji1 ,no4 #a skunks from northern and eastern sections were worth #b4jj1 while the following winter the same skins were bringing just twice this figure4 ,if the skunk raisers who sold off their stock at low prices because the prospect was not bright1 had gone ahead they would have had a heavy crop of fur to market at high prices by ,january1 #aiaj4 ,some reports from those who have experimented in a small way at raising fur animals is to the effect that they do not fur properly4 ,this is true in regard to skunk1 when kept in a box or a small enclosure for weeks and fed largely on meat4 ,they must have contact with earth and be allowed to forage for food4 ,skunk breed only once a year1 unless the first litter are killed or die1 when another is sometimes born1 and it might be said1 such is frequently the case4 ,one thing is important1 and that is1 get the animals accustomed to their keeper as soon as possible4 ,the old will be wild for some time1 but the young soon become tame4 ,skunk are easily tamed1 even children have safely handled them4 ,a man who has been in the fur farming industry for years1 in response to the inquiry1 ,will the business pay8 says3 ,yes1 it will pay the right man big dividends on the capital invested4 ,the right man is one who has natural aptitude for this sort of work1 and who is cut out for fur farming4 ,if he has a liking for this sort of work1 he will study the nature and requirements of the animals and attend carefully to their every want4 ,fur farming as an industry is only in its infancy1 in fact1 not begun4 ,the future looks bright to those who engage in the business in a business way4 ,to those who expect to make a fortune at the business in a year or two1 we predict failure1 but to all who are willing to go at the industry intelligently1 building a substantial enclosure1 paying the same careful attention to the feed and care of their fur animals that they would to other stock1 to get the best results1 far more than ordinary profits should result4 ,under ordinary circumstances skunk can be raised to maturity at a cost of about #be;c4 ,the cheapest skin on the market will bring at least a dollar1 from that to live skunk at #ae4 ,average profit will be over #djj4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,enclosures1 ,dens1 ,food and ,care4 ,the enclosure for a fur farm is one of the most important things for a beginner to consider1 for if it is not properly constructed1 his labor is in vain4 ,we have heard of parties going to a great expense to procure the animals and construct a fence to hold them1 and because the fence was not built on right lines1 the animals escaped4 ,this was unnecessary had the netting or galvanized iron fencing extended about #ah inches below the surface4 ,skunk seldom dig over a foot into the ground4 ,the proper size of an enclosure depends on the number and kinds of animals you intend to start with4 ,for #aj skunks or less and their offspring the first year we suggest an enclosure measuring #c rods wide by #d rods long or #ab square rods4 ,this will even answer for a much larger number1 but we do not believe in crowding4 ,for #bj skunks and the first year's young the enclosure should measure about #d rods in width by #e in length4 ,you can successfully raise a hundred skunk on a single acre of ground4 ,after you have decided on this business the first thing is to find the proper location and make a suitable enclosure4 ,there should be a spring on1 or a small stream crossing the ground to be inclosed1 but at the same time the ground must not be wet2 in fact1 it should be of rather dry nature1 so that there will not be too much dampness in the dens4 ,that is the picture of an ideal skunkery4 ,but running water is not absolutely necessary so long as the animals are furnished clear water for drinking purposes4 ,there should be banks of earth for the animals to den in and the ground should have a gradual slope so that it will drain readily4 ,if it is of a sandy nature it will be all the better4 ,some who have tried skunk farming have located the yards on a shore of a small lake or pond and have included a portion of the pond in the enclosure4 ,this is a good idea and it will not be necessary to extend the fence very deep into the water1 as the skunk is not a water animal and will not dive under2 however1 where the fence crosses a stream of running water the fence should reach to the bed of the stream as the water will fall considerably during dry weather4 ,where running water is not to be had a basin of water should be provided for bathing purposes4 ,they bathe about once a week4 ,this is a habit little known by the amateur fur farmer4 ,the enclosures should be large as possible4 ,when the animals are inclosed in small yards or pens they become infested with fleas1 ticks1 etc41 and they do not do well4 ,by sprinkling the animals with poultry powder usually used to destroy lice1 and allowing the animal to den in soft soil these parasites can be easily eradicated4 ,such small enclosures will answer for a short time but as soon as possible they should be placed in a large roomy yard4 ,to enclose a certain amount of ground with the smallest number of rods of fencing possible1 the plat or ground to be enclosed should be in a square4 ,while the cost of enclosing an oblong piece of ground would be a few dollars more than if square1 this should not stand in the way if the oblong piece of ground would make a better home for your fur-bearing animals4 ,if one only desires to experiment with a few animals and has the material on hand1 he may make a fence of boards1 but it should not be depended on for long4 ,where stones are set up edgewise or cement used1 it is rather expensive and as galvanized wire lasts well either in the ground1 where not exposed to the air1 or being galvanized1 it stands the elements well1 it seems to meet the requirements of the fur farmer for fencing or enclosure purposes4 ,there should be some trees1 or at least shade1 no matter what animals you are experimenting with4 ,for fencing material1 galvanized wire netting of one-inch mesh is generally used for the breeding yards1 and #a-;inch for the outside fence1 as the young animals will escape through a two-inch mesh4 ,the outside fence should be seven feet in height4 ,under ordinary conditions the skunk would not escape over a four-foot fence1 but there is danger in winter from drifting snow1 and dogs and other animals must be kept out at all times2 therefore1 the fence should be of the height mentioned and it must be turned in at the top or a sheet of tin placed along the edge to prevent the animals from climbing out4 ,some skunk raisers simply place flat stones on top of the ground at the foot of the fence to prevent the animals from digging out1 and some say that one of the most satisfactory ways is to place small mesh wire netting flat on the ground at the foot of the fence1 inside1 of course1 and cover lightly with dirt4 ,they claim that this is a very good way to prevent skunks from escaping by digging1 but on the whole we think that the method of sinking the netting or galvanized iron about #ah inches below the surface is best4 ,illustration3 ,fence of poultry netting1 covered with sheet tin1 showing foundation4 ,the persons who expect to make fur farming a business1 can begin in a small way and same need not interfere with other work to a great extent4 ,year after year1 as they learn more of the business1 they can enlarge the grounds4 ,farmers and others who from experience know much of the animals1 will no doubt be the most successful from the start4 ,the ox1 horse and sheep were wild at one time1 but they have become domesticated4 ,why not the same with the fur-bearers8 ,this is exactly what should be done4 ,skunks especially1 are very easily domesticated4 ,when the raiser learns this and furnishes an enclosure with dens and food similar to that which they get when in their wild state1 they will be on the road to success4 ,illustration3 ,fence of ,netting1 ,showing ,support and turned in top4 ,on the ,laymon farm we have been experimenting with galvanized iron or tin fencing1 and we prefer it to wire netting4 ,the animals appear more contented when they cannot see other and wider fields4 ,this is especially true during the breeding season4 ,this fencing is a better protection against dogs and prowling animals also on the outside4 ,in the case of galvanized iron fencing1 we find that the fence need not be over five feet1 with #c or #d strands of barbed wire to keep out dogs and prowling animals4 ,the animals do not see out1 nor prowlers in and hence the skunk are less liable to become excitable4 ,the interior of the enclosure should be divided into compartments1 using netting or galvanized tin for the fences but they need not be so high4 ,the largest compartment would be for the females and there should be a smaller one for the males1 also one for the young animals after they have become large enough to take care of themselves4 ,some also make small yards in which to place the females1 two or three together1 after the young animals are born4 ,the most of those who have tried skunk breeding1 however1 have not found this necessary1 but there should always be a separate enclosure for the males4 ,when the number of animals increases it will be necessary to have a few small breeding yards1 large enough for ten or twelve animals4 ,one need not1 however1 make such an elaborate enclosure in the start but can enlarge it as needed1 adding more compartments4 ,illustration3 ,breeding ,range ,constructed of ,galvanized ,iron4 ,in each compartment a number of dens should be made by digging a trench and covering afterwards4 ,while the animals will dig dens if necessary1 they prefer even while in a wild state to use dens already made4 ,boxes1 barrels or pens with board floors should not be used4 ,some of the successful ones claim that this has a tendency to cause a thick pelt and thin fur and say that it is absolutely necessary that they have natural dens in the ground4 ,the dens should be made quite deep so that there will be no danger from frost in winter and in all cases there should be plenty of straw or leaves for bedding purposes4 ,where the land is flat it seems wise to throw up a few mounds of earth so that the animal may dig into the soil4 ,a hole can be started in a bank with a post-hole auger and the animal will finish it1 seldom burrowing more than a foot further into the earth4 ,no matter what style of den is used it should be so constructed that there is no danger of it getting damp4 ,banks of earth of a kind which do not absorb and retain water make good places in which to dig dens1 and it is easy to incline the entrance so that water from rain or melting snow cannot drain into the passage4 ,the entrance should be made large enough so that the animals can pass in and out easily1 for if the passage is small there is danger that the fur will be injured4 ,there should also be plenty of dens1 so that if one becomes damp or infested with vermin1 the occupants can take up their quarters elsewhere4 ,on the ,laymon farm we have several different kinds4 ,the breeding pens are built par-to keep out the rain4 ,after we have once ascertained that the young have arrived we do not disturb the female for several days1 save to see that she has plenty to eat and drink4 ,females are quite devoted to her young4 ,the entrance is of wood and in some cases tiling4 ,the opening should be large to avoid rubbing the fur4 ,the summer dens are of natural earth formed or dug into earth1 built around straw or wood1 with tile entrance4 ,the winter dens are large1 built like a well with a cave-like entrance4 ,these things are necessary only where skunk are raised on a large scale4 ,as far as possible1 we do not allow the fur of the animal to come in contact with rough surfaces other than earth4 ,we only allow one female in a brood pen at one time1 and use galvanized iron fencing between the pens4 ,females will steal one another's young when given the chance causing the young animals to starve to death1 and we don't give them the chance4 ,the skunks are perfectly cleanly about the dens and always deposit their droppings in one corner1 or outside4 ,they seldom discharge their scent and unless he were to see it1 one might pass close by a skunk ranch and never know it4 ,feeding4 ,skunks should have plenty of food especially during the summer and they should be fed at regular intervals1 giving just enough for a meal each time4 ,it is advisable to give a mixed diet1 partly animal and partly vegetable4 ,they will eat almost all kinds of flesh and fish1 table scraps1 fruits1 especially if very ripe1 melons1 sweet potatoes1 berries1 etc4 ,one of the most satisfactory foods is bread and milk1 but it is considered too expensive by some people4 ,however1 it should be given occasionally4 ,they will eat carrion1 but such food should not be given1 for it is likely to cause disease4 ,in the fall especially1 when they are laying on fat for winter1 they should have plenty of food4 ,in winter they do not require so much4 ,it is a lack of meat food that causes them to eat their young and one should feed well during the spring and autumn4 ,skunks feed largely on insects1 grubs1 etc41 and if they have range enough will supply themselves with the greater portion4 ,they are fond of eggs1 either fresh or spoiled1 and should be given a feed of this kind occasionally if possible4 ,they also have a fondness for poultry4 ,the matter of providing sufficient food is not as difficult as it would appear at first glance4 ,if the farm is located near a large town1 butchers1 hotel and restaurant keepers will generally save table scraps1 stale bread1 etc41 on request1 if one will make a regular habit of calling for it4 ,this is why it seems desirable to establish a skunkery close to or in a city4 ,even in the country the neighbors will help out4 ,the farmers will be only too glad to have you take the dead stock1 poultry1 etc41 thus saving them the time and labor of otherwise disposing of it4 ,as before stated1 the ,laymon ,skunkery is an ideal farm4 ,we have a large range of gully land through which runs a natural spring1 and is covered with a dense underbrush4 ,the skunk run wild here1 male and female breeders after the regular rutting season is over4 ,we feed them only once a day1 at evening1 and that mostly hominy hearts mixed with water and milk4 ,just now1 ,june #bcrd1 they are as fat as prime porkers and in excellent condition4 ,we are experimenting on cutting out all meat for at least five days each week4 ,we maintain that #be;c will cover the expense of raising a skunk to maturity4 ,they are wild for mulberries and roasting ears4 ,enjoy ripe apples and roots4 ,relish clover1 and like cats get crazy over fish1 and there is no doubt about them liking cat meat1 and the flesh of rabbits1 fresh or tainted4 ,breeding4 ,the mating season comes late in ,february and in ,march and the young animals make their appearance in ,may1 the period of gestation being about nine weeks4 ,the young are born hairless or furless1 and remain blind from #d to #e weeks4 ,the mother will wean her young at from #g to #i weeks of age4 ,care should be taken to note the symptoms1 as when the young refuse to be weaned1 the mother is likely to injure them4 ,they are fully matured in six months1 and their hides become prime and ready for market4 ,they breed when a year old and live about #g years4 ,after weaning the young should be allowed to run wild in a pen where there are other young animals4 ,but not with the old males until such a time as they are able to protect themselves4 ,one male animal will easily serve eight or ten females and he should be left in their company a number of days4 ,after that he should be removed and to make certain1 another male should be installed for a few days4 ,two males should never be allowed in an inclosed pen with the females at one time or they will fight and one or both may be seriously injured4 ,they seem to know enough to keep out of each other's way on the range4 ,we believe1 however1 that to allow the males and females to run wild 7if the range is large enough7 has a tendency to create larger litters4 ,we believe that the females cohabit with more than one male at rutting time and that additional young are created at each service4 ,we know that our litters are larger in number than is ordinarily supposed1 ranging from six to ten1 whereas when served by one as above1 the litters averaged from four to eight4 ,great care should be exercised in the selection of the males for breeding stock4 ,only the large and healthy animals of good color should be used and all others should be killed and their skins marketed1 or the live altered animals sold for pets1 while they are in good condition4 ,never allow a breeder to die of old age4 ,sell the pelts early and use young stock for the purpose4 ,while the animals do not always breed strictly true to color1 the white markings may be greatly reduced and the general stock improved by selected breeding4 ,one should1 each year secure fresh breeding stock from other localities and related animals should not be allowed to breed together or in a few years the result will be disastrous4 ,one can not be too careful in this respect for it is very important4 ,after the mating season the female should be separated1 placed in small enclosures and they should be well fed or otherwise they may kill and eat the young4 ,they should be allowed to remain in these small enclosures until the young animals are large enough to take care of themselves1 when they should be separated and the females may again be placed in the large enclosure4 ,from the commencement of the breeding season until late in the fall the animals require a larger amount of food than during the winter and especially during the breeding season and while the mother is still nursing the young they will require plenty of nourishing food4 ,they require fresh drinking water at all times and the enclosures should be so arranged that each compartment will be supplied4 ,as before stated one should use care in selecting animals for breeding purposes as it is in this way that the quality of the fur will be improved and the business made to be a profitable one4 ,if you wish to increase the number of animals do not be tempted for the sake of the higher prices realized for the finer skins to kill off animals that should be kept for breeding4 ,on the whole1 one should study the habits of the animals on every opportunity and attend to their wants4 ,if one will give the proper attention to the animals and take an interest in them there is no reason why he should not succeed4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,trapping1 ,skinning1 ,shipping4 ,the skunk belongs to the weasel family1 and is nocturnal in its habits1 but unlike other fur-bearing animals of the weasel family1 lacks alertness4 ,it is exceedingly slow in locomotion compared with other animals1 and naturally falls an easy prey to the average hunter or trapper4 ,the only drawback and reason why this animal was not extensively hunted or trapped and the skin marketed twenty or thirty years ago1 was the danger of being sprayed with their peculiar essence4 ,the fur is fine and eagerly sought after1 especially the black furred skins1 which bring high prices4 ,as many as #ejj1jjj skunk skins are marketed in a year4 ,the skins are generally divided into four or five distinct grades1 and each grade is then assorted accordingly to quality and size4 ,skunks should not be killed for the pelt out of season1 but this is true of all animals1 where the furred skin has a market value4 ,the open season for ,minnesota1 ,dakotas1 ,iowa1 ,wisconsin1 ,montana and northern sections1 is from ,november #ast to ,february #aeth1 varying somewhat upon the weather4 ,south or middle states the season opens somewhat earlier1 and naturally closes on approach of warm weather4 ,the fur of the skunk is the first of all fur bearing animals to become prime1 and is also first to suffer the loss of its lustre and primeness4 ,how to ,kill ,without ,being ,scented4 ,there are many ways and methods in common use for capturing and killing this animal1 but probably the best is the use of steel traps1 though a long stick is equally as good1 providing the one who holds it comprehends his business and uses same advantageously4 ,the author has known two lads to kill and skin forty skunks in a day4 ,of course1 great care must be exercised to kill the animal without receiving a discharge of the perfume4 ,a six to eight foot long stick1 one and a half to two inches in diameter is the proper weapon and instrument to use in killing skunks4 ,a smart blow on the back about one to two inches beyond the tail will readily fell the animal4 ,this blow will paralyze and benumb the muscles and nerves employed by the animal to distribute its obnoxious fluid4 ,an additional blow is necessary1 and the latter should be given on top of the head4 ,steel ,traps4 ,steel traps are used with good effect4 ,they should be set just before the hole and be covered with loose bits of dirt1 leaves or other vegetation4 ,some prefer to use bait1 the latter can be a beef head1 a chicken1 or1 in fact1 any chunk of old meat or carcass4 ,drag same in various ways and drop in a conspicuous place or in center of a nest of traps4 ,the trap should be attached to a clog1 or loose bushes1 never attach two traps to the same article4 ,skunks often spring traps set for mink1 wolf and other animals1 but seldom devour or even touch a victim should they come upon same while making their nocturnal visits4 ,a ,box ,trap4 ,illustration3 ,box ,trap for ,catching small ,animals ,alive4 ,the usual bait for skunk is birds1 bits of meat1 pieces of chicken and rabbit1 whether old or fresh4 ,a good method and trap is to bury a large dry-good box2 see that the top is even with the surface of the earth1 place light brushes1 hay or straw across the opening1 upon which sprinkle a little loose earth4 ,some prefer to make an artificial opening in top of box after same is buried1 into which the skunk will descend1 rather fall in1 but cannot get out4 ,some strong smelling bait should be placed in the box1 which is to attract the animal from a distance4 ,as many as eight skunks have been caught during one night by the use of this style of box trap4 ,this seems to prove that skunk do not make a noise when caught4 ,a ,barrel ,trap4 ,illustration3 ,barrel ,trap4 ,if ,set on the ,slope of a ,hill1 ,will ,capture ,more ,than one ,animal4 ,another method is the so-called barrel trap4 ,a sugar1 vinegar or whisky barrel will answer4 ,remove the head and securely fasten the bait on inside of bottom of barrel4 ,place the barrel in a slanting position1 open part toward the earth1 and arrange by balancing the barrel in such a way that when the skunk enters by crawling up in a barrel1 being attracted there by the bait1 the barrel with the skunk will tip over and ,mr4 ,skunk fall on his nose inside of the barrel and be a captive4 ,this is a good and cheap trap and the victim cannot get out1 though only one animal can be caught at one time4 ,some trappers dig the skunk out1 others dig until they reach the cavity in which they usually have their nests and are found huddled up together in a bunch4 ,if found in such a position it is an easy matter to suffocate them1 thus obliterating all possible chances of the animals distributing their obnoxious perfume4 ,all that is necessary after one sees the animals is to cover them up with soft dirt1 which should be lightly tamped every two inches of filling and continued until about fifteen to eighteen inches is securely tamped4 ,in about fifteen to twenty minutes the trapper can uncover the den by removing the earth1 and he will find the animals suffocated4 ,after all1 it is poor policy to suffocate whole dens of skunk4 ,they should be caught alive4 ,it is unnecessary1 but we recommend for the trapper1 7new beginners7 or hunters1 to remove the perfume containers 7glands7 before skinning as one is likely to cut into the bags and distribute the perfume1 but if removed all danger of coming in contact with the liquid weapon is of the past4 ,skunks1 when located in holes1 can be smoked out or suffocated1 either with common smoke or vapors arising from burning sulphur4 ,to locate the distance of digging1 insert a long switch or telegraph wire into the hole4 ,the author has personally seen trappers dig down for a short distance and then reach after the animals with their hands1 and sure enough they succeed in bringing the animals1 one by one1 from their den4 ,strange as it seems no perfume was discharged4 ,this is probably due to the fact that the other trapper assisted by knocking them senseless immediately after their heads appeared through the hole4 ,a piece of -inch round iron1 about twelve inches in length1 was used4 ,trappers relate and claim that it is a positive fact that the skunk will refrain from biting or discharging perfume while in their holes4 ,illustration3 ,a ,battery of ,brooding ,dens on the ,laymon ,farm4 ,deadfalls1 figure four and other home-made traps can be employed1 though the animal must be skinned promptly1 and often the fur becomes damaged from the instrument itself or by long delay and exposure to the weather4 ,there are many other methods and ways to capture and kill this animal1 but by the foregoing any one contemplating to trap or hunt will have the essential knowledge4 ,the rifle can be used whenever possible1 but the use of the shotgun is detrimental to the skin1 and its use should be prevented when the question of its fur is taken into consideration4 ,the animal should not be entirely eradicated from any particular locality1 as the skunk is more beneficial than harmful to the farms1 and again1 the killing of skunks out of season is entirely absurd and uncalled for1 the animal being harmless4 ,the meat while not generally consumed1 can be used1 though when fried1 it is dry and tough1 resembling bull meat in that respect4 ,the fat is used for medicinal purposes4 ,skunk oil is highly recommended for sore throat1 croup1 etc4 ,killing1 ,skinning and ,stretching4 ,when killing time comes1 care should be taken to not frighten the animals left for breeding purposes more than is absolutely necessary4 ,all animals that are tame enough should be driven into a separate enclosure and out of sight of the others before being killed4 ,perhaps as good a method of killing as any is to use a good club1 striking on the hips just over the region of the scent sac4 ,skunk should be killed without the enclosure becoming strongly scented4 ,a pole several feet long with a strong loop on the end can be slipped over their tails4 ,the animal can now be lifted clear off the ground and carried wherever the killing is desired4 ,drowning is not recommended1 as it takes the fur hours to dry and is therefore extra work4 ,some even claim that the water spoils the luster of the fur to a certain extent4 ,skunk do not leave their dens during severe weather1 so that it is advisable to begin selecting those that are to be killed days and even weeks in advance of the time decided upon4 ,these should be placed in an enclosure or pen by themselves so that the remaining ones will not be disturbed4 ,animals selected need not be operated upon1 though the scent sac should be removed before skinning4 ,the animals that are to be kept for breeding purposes need not be fed so heavily during the winter months or after those that were intended for market have been killed4 ,of course in the spring after the females have young1 they must be fed heavily4 ,some raisers as soon as the young are weaned1 select those that are to be killed the coming winter1 keeping them separate from the breeding stock so that they can be fed properly4 ,that is a great saving of food1 as those for market should be fed much more than the breeders at this season--say during the months of ,september1 ,october and ,november4 ,two ,methods of ,skinning4 ,there are two distinct methods of skinning fur-bearing animals1 and skins are known as cased or open skins1 according to the method of removing the pelt4 ,open skins are those removed by ripping the skin down the belly and are stretched out flat4 ,cased skins are those drawn off the body from the tail to the head1 by ripping the skin on the backs of the hind legs4 ,the skunk skins should be cased4 ,cut off the front feet with a knife or hatchet1 cut around the hind feet and rip down the back of the hind legs1 using care when cutting and skinning around the scent glands4 ,split the tail about one-third of its length on the under side1 and skin it that far by using the knife2 then strip it from the bone by means of a split stick4 ,grasp the stick with your right hand1 palm up1 and with the tail between the second and third fingers1 tail pointing up2 hold the carcass by placing the left hand on the hind quarters2 close your right hand and give a steady pull upwards and the skin will be stripped from the tail quickly and easily4 ,now draw the skin downward1 off the body1 to the shoulders4 ,here two thin muscles will insist on hanging fast to the skin2 put your finger under them and tear them loose4 ,you can now get hold of the front legs1 and strip the skin from them4 ,strip the skin on down to the head1 then feel for the base of the ears and cut them off close to the head4 ,skin on to the eyes2 here you must use the knife again1 but use care not to enlarge the eye aperture4 ,cut the skin loose about the mouth and the end of the nose1 but don't cut the nose off the skin4 ,the pelt now resembles a small1 narrow sack1 with fur side in4 ,before you lay it down1 turn it with the fur side out and thus keep the skin clean until you are ready to flesh and stretch it4 ,skins ,should be ,fleshed4 ,the skin of any animal should be fleshed and stretched as soon as possible after it is removed from the carcass4 ,if the weather is somewhat warm and the skin remains uncleaned and unstretched a day or two1 it may start to taint4 ,for fleshing cased skins ,i use two boards1 one about three inches wide and three feet long for small skins1 and the other five inches wide and four feet long for larger ones4 ,these fleshing boards must be perfectly smooth and flat4 ,they should not be beveled towards the edge like a stretching board1 but should have the edges slightly rounded4 ,before fleshing a cased skin be sure that there are no burrs or other foreign substances in the fur1 for such would cause you to cut the skin1 then draw the pelt on the board1 fur side in4 ,now with the base of the board resting on the floor and the nose against your chest1 shove the fat and flesh from the skin with the knife or hatchet1 from the head to the tail4 ,the instrument should be held at an angle of about #dj degrees4 ,don't try to flesh on the edge of the board or you will injure the skin4 ,turn the skin occasionally until you are all the way around and the pelt is perfectly clean of flesh and fat4 ,the thin sheet of muscle found on the back of the skunk should not be removed1 but the loose rolls behind the shoulders should be removed down to a point where it appears to be firmly attached to the skin4 ,don't scrape away at a skin of any kind until nothing remains but the scarf skin and the fur4 ,there is such a thing as overdoing it1 and one should remember that he is only to remove the loose parts1 which are not a part of the skin4 ,skunk1 oppossum1 and muskrats are the skins which are the most likely to be overdone1 and the skunk in particular4 ,stretching ,important4 ,after the skins are fleshed they are ready for stretching4 ,i advise the use of the three-piece board4 ,to use the three-piece board1 turn the skin with the flesh side out and insert the two main pieces of the board1 the flat edges together2 draw the skin down to its full extent and fasten the hind legs with two nails to each4 ,be sure that the skin is on the board squarely1 the back on one side1 and the belly on the other1 then insert the wedge between the two pieces of the board4 ,put the wedge in firmly1 but don't drive it in with a hammer1 for there is such a thing as over-stretching a skin4 ,then draw the back down and fasten it with two nails near the root of the tail4 ,then turn the board over1 and stretch the other side1 fastening it also with two nails4 ,now fasten all the edges by placing the nails #a or #b inches apart1 keeping the legs one-half on each side of the board4 ,see that the nose of the skin does not slip over the end of the board and fasten the skin of the lower jaw with two nails4 ,the tail of the skunk must be stretched out flat as far as it is split4 ,now take your jackknife and make a little incision in the tip of the tail of all animals except the otter4 ,this is to allow the air to circulate and let the moisture drain out4 ,if the weather is very warm1 put a little salt in the tail to keep it from tainting4 ,the loss of the tail will detract heavily from the value of the skin1 and in case the bone has broken off1 as happens sometimes1 the tail should be opened on the under side and the bone removed4 ,after the tail is attended to1 loop a string around the nails in the lower jaw and hang the pelt in a cool1 dry1 airy place to cure4 ,be sure that it swings free1 and does not rest against the other skins4 ,a few remarks about packing furs for shipment may not come amiss4 ,never ship furs until they are perfectly dry for they may taint in shipping4 ,it is not necessary1 however1 for the tails to be perfectly dry4 ,make the skins up into a nice1 neat package and sew it in a burlap4 ,don't roll skins2 pack them flat4 ,it is best to wrap them in paper before placing them in the package4 ,always put a card1 bearing your name and address1 inside of the package to help identify them1 in case the outside tag gets torn off4 ,put two shipping tags on each package and fill them out with your name and address in the place reserved for it4 ,when you give them into the hands of the express company1 give their true value1 as near as you can1 and be sure that the agent marks the valuation on the receipt4 ,then in case they are lost1 you can hold the express company responsible4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,habits of ,the ,skunk4 ,skunks are found in all parts of the ,united ,states1 with the exception of the mountainous district of the ,west4 ,they occur again to the west of the mountain ranges and also are found in most parts of ,southern ,canada4 ,they are found in the prairie country and in the hilly and mountainous districts of the ,east1 and are at home in the wilds as well as in the thickly settled districts1 however1 they seem to thrive best in the farming sections and especially if the country is of a hilly nature4 ,their dens are located along the gravelly hillsides1 quite often under the roots of trees and stumps but in the prairie they den along the washouts and creek banks4 ,in thickly settled sections they frequently make their home under houses and outbuildings1 showing practically no fear of man and often appropriate the den of the woodchuck4 ,they are nocturnal animals and as a rule do not wander far from the den but in the fall they travel farther1 looking for a good den in which to spend the winter4 ,again1 in early spring during the mating season1 the males travel considerably4 ,while they are not a hibernating animal1 they stay in their dens during cold weather1 also when the snow is loose and deep1 but are sure to be out on the first nice night4 ,the mating season of this animal is in ,february and early ,march and the young are born mostly in ,may1 although some will be born in ,april4 ,there are usually from four to ten young in a litter but occasionally there will be a larger number4 ,the value of a skunk skin depends mainly on its size and markings1 they being graded by the buyers entirely by the amount of black fur1 providing1 of course1 that the skin is prime and well handled4 ,being slow moving animals1 they can not catch the more active animals and birds as do the other members of the weasel family and their food consists mainly of mice1 insects and grubs1 also of the eggs and young of such birds as nest on the ground4 ,they are very fond of poultry and frequently visit the poultry houses1 killing the young birds4 ,they also feed on carrion4 ,when they can get it they will eat almost any kind of animal food4 ,even in the wild state the skunk is not1 strictly speaking1 a carnivorous animal as they will eat and in fact are fond of sweet corn when in a milky state1 also sweet potatoes1 melons and wild fruits4 ,it appears that if the male skunk is not separated from the female at breeding time1 the female will kill the male1 presumably to protect her young4 ,and on the other hand the male will kill and eat the young if given the chance4 ,robert ,b4 ,phillips relates the following in ,h-,t-,t3 ,i wish to relate an experience with the lowly skunk4 ,i found some skunk signs near an old cave large enough for a small boy to creep in4 ,i set one trap near the main entrance and another one about fifteen feet away both fastened to clogs4 7,i wish to state before ,i go farther that the cave has a sickening sulphur smell and in the winter time1 no matter how deep the snow is elsewhere1 you will not find any for about three feet around the mouth of the cave47 ,well ,i visited the traps the next morning and upon arriving at the cave ,i saw two skunks about twenty feet from the hole4 ,one was eating at the hind quarters of the other4 ,of course ,i thought they were both in my traps1 but when about forty feet away the victorious skunk saw me and started climbing an embankment below the cave and ,i noticed he did not have a toe pincher clinging to him4 ,the skunk was only two feet from his dwelling when ,i made a quick shot with a twenty two rifle4 ,of course ,i missed so ,i knew he was gone for the time being4 ,i went to the other one and found him breathing his last4 ,he had his entire tail1 scent glands and the meat all eaten off the bones at the junction of the hind legs and the base of the backbone4 ,in fact the hole in the body was so large that a full sized baseball could be put into the abdomen and the skunk still had a little life in him yet4 ,neither of them had thrown their scent4 ,two days later ,i caught the other one1 the largest male skunk ,i ever caught4 ,when ,i went there he was leisurely eating a rabbit he had evidently caught4 ,this happened in the beginning of ,december and both were male skunks4 ,i know of another case where skunks turned ,cannibalistic4 ,this happened to some young trappers who were in the habit of catching the skunks in ,september and early ,october and keeping them until they were prime4 ,they had eight or nine in an old spring wagon4 ,one morning he went out to see them and found they had killed and eaten one of their own number4 ,there are a few of those fellows around here4 ,they are afraid another fellow might catch one or two of them4 ,one time ,i caught a skunk and ,i got quite near it kept on digging in the leaves and every once in a while it would unearth a bug or insect which it would promptly devour4 ,some people have an idea that a skunk does nothing but steal chickens4 ,this he does sometimes1 but he makes up for that by catching cut worms and other insects which spoil thousands of dollars worth of crops annually4 ,i have opened their stomachs already and found centipedes and angle worms and lots of beetles in them4 ,skunk also loves mice4 ,breeding4 ,earl ,williamson says3 ,i see in the ,h-,t-,t where persons have found skunk dens with nearly all female skunks4 ,my experience has been that in every den there is one male and two or more females2 twenty-two being the highest ,i have ever heard of being taken from one den4 ,the females and male den up early while the rest travel around in nice weather and stay in any hole in bad weather4 ,says a ,nebraska trapper3 ,i have seen from #b to #ab skunk in one den1 but never more than #a male with a den of females4 ,the males of a litter seem to be forced to leave1 only one remaining4 ,the males so treated den themselves individually at a distance from the herd of females1 returning in the spring4 ,i have never known them to use their odor in a fight among themselves1 neither have ,i known them to make a noise other than patting on the ground with their front feet4 ,j4 ,m4 ,bray writes of ,skunk ,handling3 ,norris ,johnson1 ,john ,k4 ,hallman and myself went into the ring and started the performance by taking a pair each of live skunks by the tails and holding them while the pictures were taken4 ,some of the onlookers thought that was wonderful the way we handled those skunks4 ,now1 right here is where ,i want to say that you can do it just as well as ,i can1 if it is necessary for you to handle them4 ,go to them with a quiet1 but firm step2 take a good hold on their tails and you can carry them anywhere you want to4 ,i have had a number of inquiries whether my skunks were odorless4 ,i will say they are not and it is not necessary to make them odorless4 ,if you use them gently you can have them around for a year and no one would know that you had them4 ,some ask1 will black skunks breed all black1 or will some breed back into lower grades8 ,it is a known fact that all animals will breed back sometimes1 but by having black you will breed black4 ,but ,i find by having black bucks and by having short stripe females 7and no threes or fours7 your breed will be from fifty to seventy-five per cent black1 or ,no4 #a4 ,some have asked me what to feed them4 ,skunks will eat anything that a cat or dog will eat1 also various fruits1 such as apples1 pears1 persimmons1 sweet corn or field corn 7so long as the grains are soft74 ,where you have a number you will have to figure on the feed4 ,skim milk and stale bread1 butchers' scraps1 meat from dead animals1 dead chickens or anything of that nature1 but it will be necessary to vary their feed occasionally4 ,if you start with a pair or so for an experiment you do not need such a large enclosure1 but if you want to make a business of it1 then ,i would advise you not to be afraid to spend a few dollars on your pen and the larger the lot the larger the pen4 ,don't crowd them or you will be the loser4 ,skunk have no means of defense other than their scent1 but this is sufficient in many cases and the majority of people will give them a wide berth4 ,this scent is only used when alarmed or frightened and in captivity there is no trouble whatever from this source as they soon learn that there is no occasion for alarm and become quite tame4 ,,culled ,,from ,,correspondence4 ,while trapping this last season ,i caught a skunk each night for three nights in succession at the same den and the three brought #ab4jj which ,i thought was pretty good for three skunks out of the same den4 ,i have caught as high as eight skunks in one day4--,lee ,guthrie4 ,skunks can be raised as easily as house cats1 providing you have an enclosure where they cannot dig out or climb over4 ,for every hundred old skunks1 you should have an acre of ground enclosed4 ,i experimented for three years on a small scale4 ,the first year ,i had one male and three females4 ,they brought forth fifteen young4 ,one died1 plus four old ones1 leaving eighteen--eleven females and seven males4 ,five of the young graded as ,no4 #b1 balance star black4 ,the second year ,i started with twelve females and two males1 bringing forth forty-three young1 plus fourteen old ones1 total fifty-seven1 less three1 which died1 leaving a balance of fifty-four4 ,i took out seventeen males and five ,no4 #b females1 leaving a balance of thirty-two black ones4--,i4 ,m4 ,bray4 ,when cold weather comes the female dens up and with very few exceptions does not stir until mating season which is in ,february4 ,trappers will tell you that fully #ij per cent of the ,november1 ,december and ,january catch are males4 ,after ,february #aj1 when the running season is on the catch is largely females4 ,at this season a skunk tracked to its den and dug out has often resulted in as many as eight or ten4 ,these are mostly females4--,h-,t-,t4 ,in regard to the habits of skunk in the ,elkhorn ,river ,district1 ,nebraska1 will say they usually den in old badger holes1 cleaning them out in the fall1 sometimes making a cavity in them #bx#c feet by #ah inches high1 preferring hilltops1 bluffs and slough banks as situations4 ,sometimes they dig dens themselves1 seldom going over #a foot below the surface4 ,the cavity is bedded #f inches deep and the hole about half filled with dry grass4--,nebraskan4 ,farm readers1 please don't kill the skunk during the summer when his hide is worthless1 because he got a chicken or two1 but wait and take his hide in the winter4 ,it will more than pay for the chicken if you really must rid your back woods of him1 why not take him with box traps and start a fur farm8--,peerless ,bum4 ,john ,m4 ,mc,crary asks if we have ever heard a skunk make a noise4 ,i can answer that by saying positively yes4 ,i have two male skunks together in a pen and we have been awakened every night about #aj o'clock by their hideous squeals4 ,they seem to be very congenial during the daytime1 says ,harold ,pugh4 ,probably the sound you think so hideous is sweet music to the skunks4 ,however1 it may be their war cry4 ,if you would watch them and study their habits1 especially at night1 you might make some valuable contributions to our knowledge of skunk habits4 ,why don't all of you fellows start a fur farm8 ,it will be the most paying business in the country pretty soon4--,albert ,c4 ,hancock4 ,the natural habits of the skunk is to live in holes in the ground1 rocks1 trees1 stumps1 etc4 ,their food consists of mice1 birds1 bugs1 crickets1 grasshoppers1 bees1 wasps1 yellow jackets1 angle worms1 seeds1 berries1 ground roots and barks4--,bureau of ,agriculture4 ,beyond all doubt the skunk has been given more consideration by raisers of fur-bearers than any other animal1 with the exception of the fox4 ,there are many who have tried raising these animals with more or less success and where the experimenters have used good judgment and have given the subject all of the attention it deserves1 they have been reasonably successful4 ,most of these people have started in on a small scale1 having perhaps only a dozen or two of skunks to start with2 in fact nowhere has the business been carried on as extensively as some newspaper articles would lead one to believe2 the majority of these parties having at the most only two or three hundred animals4 ,it is the smaller experimenters1 in other words those who have begun on a small scale1 who have been most successful4 ,they are for the most part farmers who had even before venturing into the business a fair knowledge of the nature and habits of the skunk and therefore were more qualified for making the business a successful one4 ,farmers naturally take an interest in all nature and are most likely to give the proper amount of attention to the animals1 also learn their habits readily and act accordingly and these qualities are absolutely necessary for the successful raising of all fur-bearing animals4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,miscellaneous ,information4 ,the most successful stock breeders are those who make a special study of their animals and take a great interest in them and those who do not are almost certain to fail and really deserve failure4 ,if so much care is necessary in breeding domestic animals1 how much more important the care in handling the wild creatures1 knowing so little of them as the average man does4 ,but even handicapped by lack of knowledge the experimenters have been fairly successful from the start if they were right men for the business4 ,without exception they all report that the animals breed well in captivity and are easily kept2 in a short time becoming quite tame and losing their fear of man4 ,the skunk is an animal which is despised and feared by many people because of its readiness to make use of its powerful scent1 the only means of defense with which nature has provided it1 but it is only when frightened that it uses this scent and once they have become tame and learn that they will not be harmed they are practically harmless4 ,we will say1 however1 to those who are afraid of the scent1 do not attempt to raise skunks1 but devote your time to some other calling for which you are more fitted4 ,but if you want to make clean money1 raise skunk4 ,removing the ,scent ,sacs4 ,it is true that the scent glands may be removed from the young animals and we can see no reason why this should have any effect on their breeding4 ,the operation is easily performed and if done when the skunks are very young1 about the time they first open their eyes1 they are seldom harmed by it4 ,the operator should provide himself with an old bag1 and seated on a low bench with the bag between his knees should place the animal in the bag1 leaving only the hind quarters uncovered4 ,with a small1 sharp knife make a or #c_/h-;inch incision over the gland1 and with an awl lift up on the gland1 which at that age will be about the size of a cranberry1 at the same time pressing down gently on the surrounding tissue with the flat side of the knife4 ,the gland will lift up readily4 ,then holding it with the awl1 cut it through the center1 allowing the remaining half to return to place4 ,the reason the entire gland is not removed is that it is firmly united to the rectum and the animal is likely to be seriously injured if one attempts to remove the entire gland4 ,all of the scent1 and only half of the gland is necessary4 ,following is a more detail description of the operation of removing the scent sac3 ,description of ,the ,scent ,glands of ,the ,skunk4 ,the annal glands which are possessed also by other members of the weasel family are developed in the skunk to such a wonderful degree as to constitute an effective means of defense4 ,they are not related in any way to the genito-urinary system either in location or function4 ,they are the same in both sexes4 ,illustration3 ,laymon and ,assistant ,removing the ,scent ,sac4 ,the scent fluid which is the special secretion of these glands is contained in two sacs located beneath the skin1 one on each side of the vent4 ,each sac is embedded in a powerful1 gizzard-like1 muscular envelope the contraction of which discharges the scent fluid4 ,fig4 #a and ,fig4 #b show general location and form4 ,within the rectum just beyond the sphincter muscle which ordinarily keeps the vent closed are two papillae from which the scent is discharged4 ,each papilla is connected with one of the scent sacs by a discharge duct4 ,ordinarily the discharge papillae are not visible but when the skunk discharges the scent fluid the tail is raised and doubled close along the back1 the vent is relaxed and turned outward to such an extent that the pappillae becomes external and from them the scent is discharged and directed with remarkable accuracy4 ,the skunk takes great care not to get any of the scent on its tail or fur and the slightly skunky odor which fur garments sometimes have is usually the result of carelessness in killing or skinning the animal4 ,to kill without scent the backbone should be broken by a quick blow or the skunk should be drowned4 ,when held by the tail with head hanging down and with tail and backbone in a straight line the skunk cannot control the muscles which evolve the rectum and discharge the scent4 ,care must be taken that the skunk does not twist or climb upward4 ,it should be held low to keep its interest centered on the ground which it will strive to reach4 ,directions for ,removing the ,scent ,sacs ,from ,live ,skunks ,without the ,escape of ,any of the ,scent ,fluid4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #a1 ,x-,,ray ,,of ,,scent ,,system4 ,this operation is simple and may be readily learned by anyone who will follow these instructions carefully4 ,no anaesthetic is needed4 #a4 ,the beginner should dress in old clothes or overalls and as a precaution should wear goggles to protect the eyes in case of accident4 ,an old hat or a paper sack worn as a cap will protect the hair4 ,with these safeguards the learner feels perfectly at ease and therefore the chance of accident is much lessened while acquiring proficiency4 #b4 ,a heavy plank supported on two wooden buckets makes a good operating table4 ,straddling this plank the operator and his assistant sit facing each other4 #c4 ,the proper instruments are as follows3 #a nickel plated scalpel 7knife74 #a nickel plated tenaculum 7hook74 #a nickel plated sound probe 7probe74 #a pair nickel plated special extracting forceps4 #a pair nickel plated automatic clamping forceps4 #b pair goggles 7worn only by beginners as safeguard74 #d4 ,several pieces of clean white cloth about three inches square should be provided4 #e4 ,the instruments should be boiled about ten minutes in clear water to insure cleanliness4 ,during the operation they should be kept in a saucer containing a five per cent solution of carbolic acid which may be placed on a box within easy reach of the operator's right hand4 #f4 ,the operator first takes his seat and spreads a gunny-sack or burlap across the plank just in front of him4 #g4 ,the assistant then brings the skunk carrying it by the tail with his right hand4 ,his left hand should grasp the nape of the neck to help keep the head down for the back-bone and tail must at all times be kept in a straight line4 #h4 ,the assistant now1 by means of his hold on the nape of the neck brings the skunk into a horizontal position 7keeping the backbone and tail in a straight line7 and lays it belly downward on the gunny-sack with head toward the operator4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #b1 ,,sectional ,,view ,,of ,,scent ,,system4 ,a--,scent ,sac ,h--,original ,incision ,b--,muscular ,envelope ,i--,rectum ,c--,discharge ,duct ,k--,sphincter ,muscle ,encircling ,vent ,d--,discharge ,papilla ,l--,scent ,sac ,pushing ,through ,incision ,e--,vent ,f--,wall of ,rectum ,g--,cut to ,sever ,duct #i4 ,the operator wraps the gunny-sack snugly about the skunk while the assistant releases his hold on the nape of the neck4 #aj4 ,the assistant now immediately places the forefinger of his left hand with light pressure over the vent1 while the operator proceeds to turn the skunk on its back keeping the gunny-sack wrapped firmly about the animal4 #aa4 ,now only the tail and butt of the skunk are exposed to view4 ,the gunny-sack covers all four feet and head so there can be no scratching or biting4 #ab4 ,the operator brings his knees together over the plank and thereby holds the skunk4 ,this enables him to have both hands free4 #ac4 ,the operator now relieves the assistant by placing the fore-finger of his own left hand over the vent4 ,with the thumb of the same hand he locates the scent gland just to the right of the vent4 ,the gland is easily recognized as feeling hard and round like a marble beneath the skin abreast of the vent1 neither forward nor backward from the vent4 #ad4 ,having the thumb and fore-finger about an inch and a quarter apart the operator now squeezes the gland tight enough to draw the skin firmly over it4 ,his right hand is free4 #ae4 ,with a piece of cloth dipped in the carbolic solution he moistens the fur and skin held between his thumb and finger4 #af4 ,with the scalpel1 starting at least three-eights of an inch from the vent so as not to injure the sphincter muscle which encircles the vent1 the operator makes an incision through the skin about five-eighths of an inch long directly over the center of the scent gland and in a straight line with the vent1 as shown at ,h in ,fig4 #a4 #ag4 ,the incision is now carefully deepened until the firm1 gizzard-like envelope in which the sac lies is reached4 ,the beginner is likely to mistake this firm1 muscular envelope for the sac itself because the envelope is lighter in color than the tissues previously cut4 #ah4 ,he now proceeds more gradually to cut through the muscular envelope as shown at ,h in ,fig4 #b1 taking light strokes with the scalpel and cutting only a slight depth each time4 #ai4 ,if the muscular envelope cannot be held firmly enough by the pressure of thumb and finger so the knife will cut well the muscle may be hooked with the tenaculum and thus held by the assistant while the operator cuts4 #bj4 ,soon a small white bead appears in the bottom of the incision as shown at ,l in ,fig4 #b4 ,there is no mistaking this as it is the white sac itself pushing through a very small opening which has been made through the envelope4 #ba4 ,this opening is now carefully increased by turning the dull side of the scalpel toward the protruding sac and cutting away from it1 first on one side and then on the other4 #bb4 ,the sac keeps pushing outward more and more until it is about the size of a pea4 ,the cutting is then stopped4 #bc4 ,now by means of the extracting forceps the sac is gradually lifted by raising it a little on one side and then on the other4 ,the object is to work the sac through the small opening without tearing it by too violent a pull and without lacerating it by gripping too hard with the forceps4 ,the proper way is to grasp lightly and pull gently here and there at its base4 #bd4 ,when half the sac has been worked through the opening the sac suddenly pops up out of the gizzard-like envelope4 #be4 ,the sac is now lifted carefully by the extracting forceps to see that it is all clear and attached only by the discharge duct4 #bf4 ,if any slight muscular tissue is found clinging to the sac it may be torn away with the sound or tenaculum or carefully cut with the scalpel4 #bg4 ,the duct1 which alone holds the sac1 is now clamped in the automatic forceps as near the sac as feasible as shown in ,fig4 #c4 #bh4 ,the assistant now holds these forceps and thus supports the sac so the operator can see the duct clearly4 #bi4 ,the operator then carefully examines the duct preparatory to cutting it4 ,he must be very sure not to cut it too close to the rectum or he will cut a round hole in the rectal wall because even a slight pull on the duct draws the discharge papilla outward and brings with it the wall of the rectum wrapped about the papilla so as to look like a continuation of the duct4 ,see ,c1 ,figs #a1 #b1 #c4 #cj4 ,by feeling carefully with the sound or the dull side of the scalpel the end of the papilla nearest the sac is readily discerned by its firmness or hardness4 #ca4 ,the duct is now severed with the scalpel at a point a little way from the papilla as shown at ,g in ,fig4 #c4 #cb4 ,the sac is now held free in the clamping forceps and not a particle of the scent fluid has escaped4 #cc4 ,the operator then proceeds in the same manner to locate and remove the second sac4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #c4 ,,sac ,,completely ,,withdrawn4 ,a--,scent sac ,f--,wall of ,rectum ,b--,muscular ,envelope ,g--,cut to ,sever ,duct ,c--,discharge ,duct ,h--,incision to ,expose ,sac ,d--,discharge ,papilla ,i--,rectum ,e--,vent 7,rectum7 ,j--,tail #cd4 ,the incisions should be wiped out with a piece of cloth with carbolic solution and never need any further attention4 ,in a few days not even the scars can be found4 #ce4 ,the operation is performed most easily when the animal is not too old or fat4 ,any time from one-third to two-thirds growth is a good age for this work4 #cf4 ,with a little practice the complete operation of removing both scent sacs should not take over five minutes or skunks may be handled at rate of ten or twelve per hour4 ,the removing of the scent sac has increased the value of ,no4 ,four skunk4 ,many are sold as pets1 and others used for advertising purposes4 ,we do not go to the trouble of removing the sac on animals we know we are going to kill soon4 ,there is no danger of scenting when the skunk is carried suspended by the tail4 ,those who have failed in skunk raising were for the most part people who knew nothing regarding the habits of the animal and its care when in captivity4 ,they were men with capital1 who began on a large scale expecting to make a fortune in a short time1 but in this they were mistaken1 for many of them lost all that they invested4 ,these parties have had trouble from the older animals killing and eating the young1 also depradations of owls1 but mainly from the first reason4 ,it is our opinion that this cannibalistic tendency is caused by improper feeding1 as those parties who have used care in that respect have had no trouble whatever4 ,to those who are thinking of embarking in the business of skunk farming1 we would say--start on a small scale with only a small number of animals1 say two dozen females and six males4 ,give them every possible attention and study them under all conditions4 ,do not expect to make a fortune in a short time4 ,laws ,affecting ,fur ,farming4 ,one of the most frequent questions that we are called upon to answer is ,will the laws of this state allow of keeping fur-bearing animals in captivity8 ,this question has caused considerable trouble1 for in states where fur-bearers are protected a part of the year1 it is usually considered unlawful to have the live animals in possession during closed season1 but not always so4 ,only one state1 namely ,new ,york1 has laws making it a misdemeanor to have protected fur-bearing animals in possession during closed season4 ,in that state it surely would be unlawful to raise skunks1 for the law1 after giving the open season on these animals says3 ,they shall not be possessed or killed at any other time4 ,it is our opinion that the fur-farmer would not get into any trouble with the law1 in any state other than ,new ,york1 if he would kill the captive animals only during the open season for the said animals1 since the game laws of no other state say that you may not have the animals in possession4 ,still there are fur farms in the state of ,new ,york4 ,you are obliged to comply with rules and regulations of the ,conservation ,commission of ,new ,york4 ,you should write to this commission at ,albany1 ,new ,york1 and get their instructions and permission4 ,fur farming laws and game laws covering this subject are confused and unsatisfactory4 ,fur farmers are likely to find that much depends on the disposition of local game protectors1 and should get in touch with them and with the state authorities1 especially a state like ,new ,york4 ,dye ,markings to ,denote ,sex--,toe ,clipping to ,denote ,age4 ,we have installed what we consider a very handy system of skunk labeling on our farm4 ,for instance we mark the male skunk with a red mark perpendicularly across the white markings in the head4 ,if he is altered1 this mark becomes a cross4 ,with the female it is blue mark--if altered1 the mark becomes a cross4 ,to denote the age we simply clip a claw each year at a certain time4 ,the unclipped animal is less than a year old4 ,we seldom keep them over five years as breeders4 ,usually sell the pelts during the fourth year4 ,the system seems to work out very satisfactory4 ,a ,simple ,fur ,press4 ,take a box with a bottom the size you wish the bottom of your bale of furs to be and turn it bottom side up on the floor near the wall4 ,then spread a piece of burlap over it large enough to hang over the edges a little all the way around4 ,then lay on a piece of heavy brown paper about the size of the burlap4 ,then lay on your furs in a flat1 square pile1 the same shape as the top of the box4 ,it is a good plan to brush the hair all out straight and smooth as you lay them on4 ,lay them on until you have them thick enough so that when pressed down they will be as thick as you want your bale4 ,then lay on another piece of paper and burlap about the size of the ones on the bottom4 ,then lay some short pieces of board crosswise under your lever4 ,then nail a cleat to the wall the same distance from the floor that the top of your bale will be when pressed4 ,then take a piece of good solid board or anything handy that may be used as a lever and lay across the top of the bale1 catching one end under the cleat on the wall and pry it down and weight it or have some one hold it for you while you fold the edges of the paper together smoothly and the burlap in the same way1 folding the corners in neatly4 ,now you can sew these edges together with some good stout cord and release your lever1 tie on your shipping tags and you will have a neat secure bundle1 all ready for shipment4 ,the bundle may be strengthened by putting a good stout cord around it lengthwise and crosswise twice4 ,this makes something to get hold of when handling it4--,l4 ,dewey4 ,live ,skunks ,can be ,shipped by ,express4 ,skunk skins or live skunk will not be carried by parcels post4 ,live skunk in the past have been transported by the express companies usually at regular merchandise rates1 and the occasional shipment of these animals when well caged and protected did not arouse any great comment4 ,owing to damage incurred1 on ,april #a1 #aiac1 the express companies took concerted action and passed a joint and official amendment with the concurrence of the ,interstate ,commerce ,commission1 reading as follows3 ,,skunks--,refuse4 ,this made it impossible to ship live skunks by express after that date4 ,there was naturally a protest to the express companies by skunk breeders1 and by those accustomed to shipping live skunks4 ,the express companies finally agreed1 however1 to accept for shipment skunks from which the oval glands had been removed4 ,the ruling on skunks was therefore with the approval of the ,interstate ,commerce ,commission changed to read1 effective ,may #bj1 #aiac1 as follows3 ,skunks--,refuse1 unless scent sacs are removed4 ,all the express companies concur in this ruling1 even the ,canadian ,companies4 ,this means that shipments can be made between all points in the ,united ,states or ,canada4 ,the removal of the scent sacs is easiest at the age of five weeks1 although it can be done at any time4 ,it does not seem to injure the skunks in any way or to interfere with their breeding4 ,in shipping skunks from the ,united ,states to ,canada there is no duty1 but1 in shipping from ,canada to the ,united ,states the duty is #bj of the invoice price4 ,at the time of shipment1 write a letter to the fur company1 that you are shipping to1 advising them of the shipment1 and telling how you are sending the furs1 and just how many and what kind of furs you are sending4 ,if you follow these instructions1 you will seldom have any cause for complaint4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,questions and ,answers4 ,as we are asked certain questions so often we are pleased to give below answers to those most frequently received3 ,what is ,the ,best ,way ,for ,me to ,start ,raising ,skunks for ,fur8 ,start with a few and increase the number as you can care for them4 ,dig out or capture a couple of litters this spring4 ,mate the males of one litter with the females of the other litter4 ,there are usually eight to ten young in a litter4 ,the old skunks mate about ,march #ast and the young are born about ,may #ast4 ,never inbreed2 that is1 do not mate related animals4 ,furs are becoming scarcer and prices are continually advancing4 ,those who start early in this industry will make the most money4 ,how ,can ,i ,breed ,for ,black ,skunks8 ,each year save your largest and blackest skunks to breed from4 ,market the skins of all the rest when prime4 ,be always on the lookout for blacker specimens1 especially males4 ,you can mate one black male to four or five females and even if the females are not entirely black there will be a good percentage of black among the young4 ,what ,should ,i ,feed ,skunks8 ,skunks in confinement will eat meat of any kind1 bread1 milk1 whether sweet or sour1 many sweet fruits1 green corn and some other vegetables4 ,table leavings from hotels1 waste from slaughter-houses1 dead farm stock or dead chickens are all eaten readily and take the place of the beetles1 grubs and mice which the skunk lives on when free4 ,do not give decayed food4 ,supply fresh water regularly4 ,i ,live in ,town2 ,can ,i keep ,skunks ,without ,the ,scent ,disturbing ,my ,neighbors8 ,yes4 ,you can remove the scent sacs from your animals4 ,this is very easy to do and the skunks do not mind it at all4 ,they do not lose a meal4 ,after the scent sacs are removed they can never scent again4 ,your neighbors will not know you are raising skunks unless you tell them4 ,how ,long ,does it ,take to ,remove ,the ,scent ,sacs8 ,with a little practice you can remove the scent sacs and make a skunk forever scentless in four or five minutes1 or at the rate of #ge to #ajj skunks per day4 ,does ,any of ,the ,scent ,fluid ,escape ,when ,removing ,the ,scent ,sacs8 ,not with our method4 ,with proper instruments you can remove the scent sacs completely without spilling a drop of the scent fluid4 ,how ,can a ,skunk ,be ,tamed8 ,the skunk is naturally gentle and not much afraid of people4 ,when the scent sacs have been removed from a young skunk it will be found at once quite tame and may be carried about in your arms like a kitten4 ,if it is handled frequently it will grow up very tame1 will come when called and will eat from the hand4 ,are ,the ,scent ,sacs ,the ,same in ,both ,sexes8 ,yes1 they are the same in both sexes4 ,they open into the rectum and are not related in any way to the reproductive or urinary systems4 ,the scent fluid is not the urine as many people imagine4 ,what ,do ,you ,pay ,for ,black ,skunks8 ,we pay from #e to #ae each for grade ,,aaa according to time of year1 locality and size4 ,the scent sacs must be removed4 ,we pay express charges on all skunks which we buy4 ,if you have any choice specimens you wish to sell write us full description and we will gladly make you quotation4 ,we want #ejj skunk now4 ,what is ,the ,best ,age ,for ,removing ,the ,scent ,sacs8 ,this work can be done at any age easily unless the skunk is very fat4 ,we strongly recommend that you begin on young skunks in the spring1 any time after the eyes are open4 ,the young skunks are easily weaned4 ,they readily take milk or bread and milk and do not need the mother4 ,do not let them run with old skunk4 ,what ,kind of ,fencing ,do ,i ,need ,for ,skunks8 ,poultry netting #b to #c feet in the ground and #f feet above ground makes the cheapest fence4 ,to prevent climbing out make at the top an over-hang of netting #ab or #ah inches wide or place a strip of tin about #ah inches wide on the inside of the fence near the top to make it smooth and slippery4 ,the netting should be #a-;inch mesh for the main yard 7for adults7 and #a-;inch mesh for the breeding pens4 ,the best fencing is made from galvanized tin or galvanized iron1 in our opinion4 ,read chapter on ,enclosures4 ,how do you grade ,skunk8 ,personally ,i think the eastern assortment best2 which is as follows3 ,eastern ,assortment4 ,the average size1 ordinary color of fur1 prime or unprime pelt is considered1 then graded to ,no4 #a1 ,no4 #b1 ,no4 #c or ,no4 #d grade4 ,on skunk for illustration3 the short shoulder stripe is graded as ,no4 #a when prime and full size1 the object of this assortment is as few grades as possible1 prices quoted will not permit of as high quotations as firms quoting ,western ,assortment1 but will figure equally as much if not more1 in dollars and cents4 ,the ,western ,assortment is as follows3 ,western ,assortment4 ,each pelt is graded to its individual value1 first color1 then size1 primeness1 etc41 as high as thirty grades are used2 skunk for instance is graded for black1 short narrow and broad1 then as to size and shade and color1 etc41 each commanding a different value4 ,a firm using this assortment can quote most any price if they desire and have their goods just as cheap1 if not cheaper1 than those using eastern assortment only4 ,where can ,i sell skunk grease and what does it sell at8 ,there is a small demand for animal oils and grease1 but the markets shift from point to point4 ,you will have to get in touch with these markets through drug stores and doctors who know addresses of chemists and dealers in drugs4 ,there are many by-products of the trap line which trappers should study1 to see if they could not work them into commercial lines4 ,animal oils are one of these by-products4 ,i think that skunk oil1 under a fancy name1 scented with a little musk or perfume1 would find ready sale for chapped hands1 sunburn1 etc4 ,these oils are usually wasted now4 ,there is an opening for a dealer in animal oils if he knows the users4 ,when is the best time to trap ,skunk8 ,in cold weather1 when fur-bearers den up and hibernate1 trappers smoke out more animals in one day than they can take in traps in a month2 besides1 they get prime fur worth the most money4 ,still we do not advocate this method4 ,they should be captured alive for breeding purposes4 ,what do you consider a good scent for skunk8 ,anise oil1 as a rule1 is best for skunks4 ,apples are good skunk bait and meats also are good4 ,can you tell me the best method of removing skunks from their dens8 ,it depends on the den4 ,dig 'em outs1 who use shovels1 or dynamite1 or crowbars1 destroy the dens4 ,there are bellows and smoke blowers for smoking out the occupants of dens1 and the makers would tell you the best ways4 ,however1 as a sporting and financial proposition1 you would better get your skunks by straight trapping or snaring1 instead of killing off whole families as you would do raiding dens4 ,when you track a skunk to its hole1 use the smoker1 but don't hog the fur4 ,leave breeding stock for another year4 ,is it advisable to flesh and scrape skunk hides down to white skin before hanging up to dry8 ,can you tell me why dealers do not want fur hides salted1 say1 salted slightly1 and if any1 what detriment it is to them8 ,the clean skin is best4 ,all fat and flesh should be removed1 care being taken not to break into the skin1 nor should the skin be worked or drawn too much1 in the process4 ,of course1 skins may be cleaned on the boards4 ,the salt dries the skin and hardens it1 making it brittle and likely to crack4 ,its action on the skin is not neutralized1 as in the tanning processes by other chemicals4 ,even a little salt changes the skin1 absorbing the moisture and changing the chemical constituents of the hide4 ,the best way to preserve fur skins--salt is simply to prevent decay--is to clean the skins carefully and stretch on frames or boards1 and hang them in a cool1 dry1 sheltered place where rodents and insects cannot get them4 ,of course1 pelts should not be left too long on the stretchers--a few days--and too much care cannot be taken of them4 ,does it spoil fur keeping it through the summer if kept moth proof and in a cool place8 ,not if it is properly dried and protected from moths4 ,some of my friends keep their late catches of fur in perfectly tight paper bags1 with tobacco1 holding them over for the early winter or before-the-,london-sales prices4 ,a big slump in the fur market is often met this way on certain kinds of fur by trappers1 but the fur must be properly dried and carefully stored away from insects1 mice1 etc4 ,will it do to breed to the same male continually8 ,we do not advise it4 ,young stock from foreign pens should be constantly added to improve the grade4 ,in breeding should be avoided4 ,how can live ,skunks be shipped8 ,if the scent sacs have been removed you can ship a skunk by express in a box with wire netting over the opening4 ,if the distance is great1 supply plenty of dog biscuit or dry bread and a dish for milk4 ,mark on box1 ,please give milk and water4 ,if the weather is cold make a nest of straw in one end of box4 ,can ,i make any money by removing the scent sacs from ,skunks8 ,yes1 you should be able to sell the first skunk you operate on1 even if striped1 for at least #e to someone who would like it as a pet or as a curiosity4 ,a tame skunk will draw big crowds when placed in a store window for advertising purposes4 ,amusement ,parks are glad to get them4 ,money can be made by selling tame skunks or by operating for other people4 ,what diseases are common to the skunk8 ,they are practically a diseaseless animal4 ,true they are troubled with lice when kept too closely confined and fed too much spoiled meat4 ,any common poultry powder which will destroy poultry lice will destroy skunk lice4 ,change dens and allow the animal to burrow in gravelly earth4 ,meat diet sometimes causes scurvy4 ,this can be avoided by feeding a variety of foods4 ,how do you prevent infection after removing the scent sac8 ,first wash the parts with a weak carbolic solution taking care not to allow the solution to enter the rectum1 or better still paint the glands with iodine before operating4 ,rub over the incision a composition of turpentine and lard4 ,this will repel flies4 ,what do you do with the young after weaning8 ,we allow the female to range1 and also the young1 but in separate pens4 ,do not make the mistake of allowing the young ones to range with aged males until they are able to protect themselves from injury4 ,,instruments ,,with ,,which ,,to ,,remove ,,scent ,,sacs ,so many persons have written us to know if we handle instruments suitable to perform the operation of removing the scent sac1 that we have consented to make a selection4 ,the proper instruments are as follows3 #a nickel plated scalpel 7knife74 #a nickel plated tenaculum 7hook74 #a nickel plated sound probe 7probe74 #a pair nickel plated special extracting forceps4 #a pair nickel plated automatic clamping forceps4 #b pair goggles 7worn only by beginners as safeguard against scent fluid unexpectedly entering the eyes74 ,these tools are of a high grade of steel and nickel plated to guard against rust4 ,a very handy and desirable set of instruments4 ,one set 7as above7 packed securely in box1 sent by prepaid parcels post for only #c4jj4 ,the most satisfactory set of instruments on the market4 ,your order solicited4 ,references3 ,exchange ,bank of ,spencer4 ,,the ,,laymon ,,fur ,,farm ,,co4 ,,spencer ,,indiana ,illustration3 ,,pen ,,of ,,white ,,runners ,,as ,,bred ,,and ,,raised ,,by ,,john ,f4 ,,crane1 ,,spencer1 ,,indiana4 ,if you want to start right1 with foundation stock1 or eggs from as good as there is in the country1 write me--same prices at all times for stock and eggs--#acd acres devoted to raising poultry1 fruit and ponies--,breeder of ,white ,indian ,runners1 ,fawn and ,white ,runners-- ,white ,wyandottes and ,barred ,rocks4 ,write me4 ,,john ,f4 ,,crane1 ,box ,a#a1 ,,spencer1 ,,ind4 ,,wanted #ejj ,live ,skunk ,we are in the market for #ejj ,,aaa skunk1 males and females for breeding purposes4 ,we pay as high as #ae4jj for altered1 unmaimed stars4 ,write us what you have4 ,we also handle skunk pelts1 ,eastern grading1 and highest prices paid for prime stock4 ,let your dealer quote1 then you will understand how much better we can do for you4 ,write first4 ,we pay express charges4 ,reference3 ,exchange ,bank of ,spencer4 ,the ,laymon ,fur ,farm ,co4 ,,spencer ,,indiana ,what a big ,money ,king says about ,,opportunity ,it isn't the want of opportunities1 nowadays1 for making a man wealthy1 but it is his recognizing an opportunity when he meets it in the middle of the road in the middle of the day4 ,he is right4 ,paste that fact on your memory now4 ,i know from experience4 ,and if you are a business or professional man or woman1 or working on a salary and desire to increase your earning power with the least outlay of capital and with the least effort1 look this skunk proposition squarely in the face4 ,and look at it from the viewpoint of good common business sense4 ,it is a clean1 legitimate proposition--a real money-making opportunity right in the middle of the road in the middle of the day4 ,why ,not ,start a ,skunk ,farm8 ,,we ,,would ,,be ,,glad ,,to ,,help ,,you