diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-07 21:16:19 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-07 21:16:19 -0800 |
| commit | f1ab39090960e8f2a789431435a0ddbc8360efbf (patch) | |
| tree | 829ebe68ed76c48b47a330a504a839cc06b9238f /42888.txt | |
| parent | e53788e90b342834b2a6f03a3e7728be8a503289 (diff) | |
Diffstat (limited to '42888.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 42888.txt | 2593 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 2593 deletions
diff --git a/42888.txt b/42888.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ddff09c..0000000 --- a/42888.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2593 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Fur Farming For Profit, by Hermon Basil Laymon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Fur Farming For Profit - With Especial Reference to Skunk Raising - -Author: Hermon Basil Laymon - -Release Date: June 6, 2013 [EBook #42888] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUR FARMING FOR PROFIT *** - - - - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - - Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have - been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal - signs=. - - Page 034: "are built par-to keep out the rain". A line of text - might be missing. - - - - - FUR FARMING - FOR PROFIT - - With Especial Reference to Skunk Raising - - [Illustration: Skunk] - - Price $1.00 - - The LAYMON FUR FARM CO., Spencer, Ind. - - - - - LIVE - MINK - WANTED - - ALSO MINK PELTS - GINSENG YELLOWROOT ETC. - - - Highest market price - paid for A1 Live Mink and - Mink fur. Write your dealer for - quotations, then write us. We - pay express charges and remit - same day goods are received. - - - WILLIAM WEDDLE - SPENCER, IND. - - - - - FUR FARMING - FOR PROFIT - - With Especial Reference - to Skunk Raising - - By - H. B. Laymon - Proprietor of the Laymon Skunk Farm - - 1913 - The Laymon Fur Farm Co. - Spencer, Indiana - - - - - Copyrighted 1913 - By - H. B. LAYMON - - - PRESS OF THE EPITOMIST PUB. CO. - SPENCER, INDIANA - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - page - - Introduction 5 - - Frontispiece 8 - - Chapter I 9 - General Character of the Skunk--Skunk a Clean Animal-- - Grading. - - Chapter II 19 - Fur Farming--Supply and Demand--Opinions--A Bright - Future for Fur Farmers. - - Chapter III 26 - Enclosures--Dens--Food--Care--Breeding. - - Chapter IV 39 - Trapping--Skinning--Shipping--How to Handle Skunk - without Being Scented. - - Chapter V 51 - Habits of the Skunk--Breeding--Size of Litters--Ideas - of Trappers and Farmers. - - Chapter VI 58 - Miscellaneous Information--Removing the Scent Sacs-- - Laws Relating to Skunk Raising--Dye Markings--How - to Ship Live Skunk. - - Chapter VII 72 - Questions and Answers on Many Subjects. - - - - - [Illustration: Breeding Range, Constructed of Galvanized Iron.] - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -"I came from a family of hunters and farmers." This reminds me of a -quaint saying I heard when I was a boy. We were talking about hogs at -the time. A young girl overhearing our conversation, remonstrated with -us because we appeared to have some of the habits of hogs wrong. We -asked her how she knew we were wrong in our diagnosis of the hog? And -she answered: - -"Well, I guess I ought to know, I was brought up among hogs, lived among -them all my life!" - -This is my case exactly, I have been brought up among skunk. I have made -a study of skunk, and I think I know skunk. I know this much well: - -Years ago the thought struck me that there ought to be money in raising -skunk for fur and breeding purposes. To prove the right or wrong of -this, I started to raise skunk. I captured a female and her litter, -later got a star buck, and with this beginning I have succeeded in -establishing one of the largest and most successful skunk farms in -America, and I am proud of it. - -I do not mean to imply by this that I think I know "it all" about skunk. -Far be it from that. But what I know has been learned by diligent study -and the best of all "practical experience." My farm was not a success -from the start. It took a few years for me to learn the "how of things," -but I am glad to say that things are looking bright for yours truly. I -firmly believe a few years more will see me independently rich, and from -an old piece of land which would be practically worthless for any other -use. - -My motive for writing this book is to benefit my fellow man. Hundreds of -people have written me for information about skunk. It would be -impossible for me to courteously answer one-tenth the mail I get in a -personal way. It struck me, 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 good. - -I feel this, too, 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 loss. I was the -pioneer, and was blazing the way for others to make success. - -To all those who are desirous of trying the raising of fur-bearers for -profit we say: read this book carefully--study it,--and then if you feel -that you can make it a paying business, make a small enclosure and try a -half dozen animals. By the end of a year or two, you will know whether -you are going to like it; whether you can make a success of it or not, -and will have acquired a lot of very necessary knowledge regarding the -animals, that could not have been obtained in any other way. You will -know then whether to go ahead or not, and if the former, you will also -know how. - -While the U. S. Government is actively engaged in raising elk, buffalo, -deer and other animals including fur-bearers, few bulletins are issued -which give any direct valuable information on skunk. Government -officials (the kid-glove kind) stick up their nose at the lowly skunk, -and without reason. The skunk is a clean animal, easily domesticated, -and known to be one of the most valuable animals to have around the -farm. Only recently has this been thoroughly demonstrated. Such -information as could be obtained from government sources has been -incorporated in this book. - -I have had no hesitancy in utilizing the information from other sources -also. Chief among them has been the Hunter-Trader-Trapper Magazine -published by A. R. Harding Pub. Co., of Columbus, Ohio, also his book on -"Fur Farming" and such catalogues and guides as Andersch Bros. and -others fur firms issue to their trade. - -I differ with them when experience has taught me that my way of raising -skunk is easier or more profitable, and I agree with them on many -general principles. I have incorporated in this book also the experience -of many other farmers and trappers. I have found many helpful hints in -their letters which have been very valuable to me. And for what -knowledge I have gained from them, I hereby acknowledge my indebtedness. -"May they live long and prosper." - - H. B. LAYMON. -Spencer, Ind., July 10, 1913. - - - - - [Illustration: Laymon Handling an "Unaltered" Skunk.] - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -General Character of The Skunk. - - -The skunk is a little understood animal. By this we mean, that ordinary -people, other than naturalists or scientists, little understand the -habits and value of skunk. By some the skunk is classed as a reptile or -varmint, and on account of its odor, is detested. Other animals throw -scent, notably the mink and muskrat, of course not to the extent that -the skunk does. - -It is on account of this scent, that skunks are detested. We have -animals on our farm which have never thrown a grain. And are yet in -their wild state. They do not easily become frightened, hence have no -use for their means of protection. That's the only time they use it, and -seldom when fighting among themselves. - -To make a success out of anything, it is admitted one must know the -thing. To be a successful farmer one must know what to raise and how. So -with raising of skunk, one must understand skunk, just as one -understands horses, cows, sheep or poultry. And skunk, when properly -understood can be raised in captivity at a great profit. 500,000 skins -were shipped to London last year, besides the skins which were used here -in domestic manufacture. - -It is surprising to note the change in conditions, due largely to the -enlightenment of the rural population to the benefits of the skunk, also -to the rapid increase and value of their pelts. Many skunk farms are in -existence, the owners making a business of raising these animals for -their pelts. While this may be a queer business, nevertheless it is -perfectly legitimate, and as far as known, profitable. A ready sale of -the pelts is to be had, and the skins from these domesticated animals -generally bring higher average prices, being well handled and killed at -a time when the fur is at its best. The domestic animal like cultivated -fruits, are larger and in every way more valuable than the wild animal. - -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 pelage. There are very few -fur-bearing animals as plentiful, and especially in the civilized -sections, that bring such a handsome income to the farmer as does the -skunk. As noted, the chief difference in character, besides the size of -the animal itself, lies in the color of its fur. - -The body is 16 to 22 inches long, its tail from root to farthest point -of fur, 12 to 16 inches, the latter being covered with hair, the color -of which varies, depending upon the color of the fur on the body. For -instance, the fur on the tail of a black or short striped skunk is black -or nearly all black, (first grade) while that of the broad or narrow -striped skunk is interspersed with black and white hairs. While the skin -of the animal is very valuable, the tail is rarely used, though -manufacturers of late years have consumed the hair in the manufacture of -brushes and similar purposes. The legs are short and close to the body, -the paw is naked and the five toes on each foot are closely grown -together like that of the badger. The foot is well adapted to digging, -but they dig very little in the tame state. The toes are not webbed; the -head is small, with short, rounded ears and rather long, projecting -nose, with two small piercing eyes. - - -The Skunk a Clean Animal. - -The skunk in general appearance is always neat and clean, and in walking -seemingly takes special pride, like the peacock, as when promenading, -its tail is erect and its back peculiarly curved. Very few animals are -as harmless as this creature and were it not for the peculiar odor which -it distributes when in danger, it would be more hunted and probably -eradicated in sections. Its principal weapon, as heretofore noted, is a -peculiar secretion and fluid possessing a very disagreeable odor. This -fluid is of a pale yellow color and is discharged by the animal when in -danger, in thin-like streams and with such accuracy and aim as to strike -any object within 6 to 12 feet. 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 above. -These sacs are now removed with very little trouble by farmers, and -without endangering the fur or breeding qualities of the animal, or -ill-effect to the operator. - -The removal of the scent sac has a tendency to increase the size of the -animal ultimately. We believe, too, that it requires less food to -sustain life, consequently it is considered a profitable operation to -perform. It is certain that the altered animal becomes more easily -domesticated. - -Learn to remove the scent sacs and thus avoid all complaints of -neighbors and any personal inconvenience. 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 value. - -The animal is carnivorous, nocturnal, not entirely terrestrial, as -occasionally he is known to climb trees, perhaps not of choice but -rather compulsion, being forced to this fancied secure position by the -hunter or his dog. Consequently his arboreal, like his amphibious -habits, are rather undeserved credentials. The theory that the animal -climbs the trees in search of food and birds, is discredited. The animal -is beneficial in many ways to the farmer, and his eradication from any -farming community should be prevented, and laws prohibiting the wanton -destruction encouraged. - -The contrast in size of the animal and the important variation in the -color of its pelage, due to climatic and geographical differences, -cannot be denied. 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 color. The color usually dominates to the -black. It is proven that 50% of the young of a white female will breed -blacks if the male is black. To breed stars, the male and female should -be all black, if possible. 90% of such young will be black, and it is -possible to raise to maturity 90% of such litters. 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 resembles. - -The predominating color of the fur of all species is black and white -with the exception of the Texas skunk, which due to a peculiar soil, is -of reddish cast. Some of the animals have a clear coat of fur, others -are all black excepting a small white star, but the majority have two -stripes, some terminating at the center of body, on others the stripe -continuing from the forehead over the body, terminating at the tail. - -This carnivorous and nocturnal animal is unlike most every other animal -possessing these habits. He can be seen in the early morning returning -to his haunts, and once in a while in the middle of the day; at no time -is he in a hurry, or will he discommode himself by getting out of your -sight or especially away from your path. His mode of locomotion is slow, -and rarely will he be found away from his haunt a greater distance than -one or two miles. His abode is usually in a hollow log, under some old -barn or granary, or in a hole on the sunny side of some hill. He enjoys -a sun bath, probably more than does the bear or the badger. His meal is -made up by free consumption of worms, bugs, grasshoppers, mice, birds -and eggs. In some sections he is known to be quite a vegetarian, -consuming as he does, roots, berries, vegetables, and fruits. -Occasionally frequents the hen-roost, not only for eggs, but for the hen -as well. The young like bread and milk, while we feed the old hominy -hearts mixed with water and milk. - -The animal passes the winter season in a state of incomplete -hibernation, and at regular intervals he will arise, come out of his -abode and expose his body to the sun, and judging from the effluvium, -empty its distended pouches, but the stench thus caused, soon ceases, -which is not the case when it is spurted under irritation or in -self-defense. Dr. Coues states "that the animal uses this secretion in -the relation of its perpetuation of the species, though overshadowed by -its exaggeration into a powerfully effective means of preservation of -the individual, is evidently the same as in other species of Mustelidae, -each one of which has its own emanation to bring the sexes together, not -only by simply indicating their whereabouts, but by serving as a -positive attraction." - -In the case of the skunk, 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 mammals; and it is certain, at any rate, that -the occupancy by one animal of a permanent winter abode serves to -attract others to the same retreat. Burrows are sometimes found to -contain as many as a dozen individuals, not members of one family, but -various adult animals drawn together. 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 creature. Its heedless familarity, its -temerity in pushing into places which other animals instinctively avoid -as dangerous, and its indisposition to seek safety by hasty retreat, are -evident results of its confidence in the extraordinary means of defense -with which it is provided. - -In the domesticated state they do not use the scent only under extreme -agitation. Dogs create this excitement, man seldom, even when handling -them. When held by the tail, they are really unable to throw the scent. - - -The White Skunk. - -The animal that has a clear, white-furred pelt is very sparingly found, -in fact so seldom, that many consider it a freak of nature and not a -distinct species. - -Personally we do not find it pays to raise white skunk, save as pets, or -the females for breeding purposes. We dispose of them before they have -become an expense to us. It is the wise man who can judge when to kill -and when to keep. - - -The Black Skunk. - -The animal that has a black coat of fur is found in many states, those -of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Eastern -Canada, are better furred, and in consequence command better prices than -those coming from the central states. The black skunk is also found in -Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina and -South Carolina, in fact in every locality excepting in the northwestern -states, also northwestern parts of Canada. The animal cohabits with the -other species, and there is no apparent rule governing the breeding and -inter-breeding and the probable coloration of the offspring. Somewhat -disregarding the color of the parents, the litter contains black, white, -short, narrow and broad striped youngsters. But 90% will "take after" -full black parents. If you use Star bucks you can reasonably expect Star -stock. The fur of the black skunk, especially the eastern variety, is -soft, wavy, and of a deep lustrous black. Those animals that have only a -small white furred star at the forehead are commercially called "black -skunk." - -Great care should be taken in selecting the male breeders to avoid -in-breeding. A skunk matures, or its fur becomes prime and salable in -six months. The female brings forth young in a year. The life of a skunk -is from five to seven years. - - -Short Striped Skunk. - -This animal inhabits the same section as the black skunk, the only -difference between them is that the small white star of the former -develops into prongs or two distinct white-furred stripes, starting at -the forehead and terminating at or about the shoulders or center of -body. Quite often the forehead is entirely covered with white fur, and -immediately beginning at the top of head the white hair continues in two -prongs, each varying in width from three-eighths to three-fourths of an -inch. Should the white stripes continue clear across the body and -terminate at the nail, such skins cannot be classed as short striped but -are known as long, narrow or broad stripe. - -Short striped skins are second in value, the price being about one-third -less than that of the black skins. The white stripes are of no value to -the manufacturer, 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 stripe. The fur of the tail is black with intermingled -white hairs. The disagreeable odor is removed by the dresser (tanner) -and by the time the skin reaches the manufacturer, it is cleansed from -all impurities and ready to be made into garments. - - -Narrow Striped Skunk. - -This animal inhabits nearly every state and territory of the Union and -greater part of Canada, and is the true American skunk. His coat of fur -is black, excepting two white stripes beginning at the forehead and -terminating at the tail. The width of these stripes varies somewhat, -depending upon the size of the animal, usually three-eighths to -three-fourths of an inch. There is always a goodly portion of black fur -between these stripes. The white stripes are narrow and close together, -but widen apart at center of back, and again narrowing when close to the -root of tail. The largest animals of the skunk family come under the -long or narrow striped species. - - -Broad Striped Skunk. - -This animal is found in common with the previous species, and its -difference is only in the width of the white stripe which is wider, and -the quantity of black fur on the skin is lessened, thereby diminishing -the value of the skin. There is no apparent iron-clad rule, or a -dividing line between, or just where and when a skin should be called -broad stripe and not a narrow striped skin. This naturally must be left -largely to the judgment and discretion of the buyer or the manufacturer, -who, in grading, seeks an average more than any particular dividing -line. The tail is covered with hairs with occasionally interspersed -black hairs. - - -One Striped Skunk. - -This animal has a long, horizontal white stripe extending from forehead, -continuing over the body, terminating at root of the tail; the latter is -covered with white fur and is probably more bushy in proportion to its -size, than the other northwestern species. The skin is of no great -value. The fur is rather coarse and the skins undesirable. - - -From the above description it will be noted that the value of the pelt -lies principally in the quantity of black fur; diminishing by the -increase of white and increasing by the lessening of the white fur. - -It may be of interest to note that skunk fur after it is manufactured is -not sold as "skunk," but is a good substitute for many different kinds -of fur which has a higher value placed upon it. - -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 mink, marten, etc. At other times these white pieces are -sold in connection with other fur scraps or cuttings to hat -manufacturers. Only those skins that are prime in leather and full -furred, command good prices. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -Fur Farming--Supply and Demand. - - -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 days. 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 extinction. This is especially true of the central and eastern -portions of the United States, 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 how? Fur farming appears to offer the only -solution to the problem. - -The raising of fur-bearing animals is still in its infancy, but many -experiments have been tried out from time to time, and it is a proven -fact that if it is undertaken and carried out in an intelligent manner, -the industry is bound to be successful; and why not? All of our domestic -animals and fowls were wild creatures at one time. - -There are practically no new and unexplored regions to trap and even in -faraway Siberia, which we are taught to believe a land of wilderness and -a fine fur-producing country, reports say that fur-bearers are becoming -scarcer each year. The regions which have not yet been explored by the -white men, have for many years been trapped by the savage inhabitants. -Fur traders push into all accessible districts, and the trappers also, -sometimes bring their goods hundreds of miles in order to trade with the -white people. South America produces some furs, but the catch is not -heavy, perhaps because there is not much trapping done there. But the -furs from the more distant regions are, as a rule, of the more valuable -kinds, and cannot supply the demand of the great middle class of people, -the largest consumers. Such furs cannot take the place of those of the -muskrat, skunk, raccoon and oppossum, for these furs are usually made up -to imitate the more expensive kinds. But as the supply decreases the -demand increases at an equal rate. - -The skunk, mink and muskrat do well in settled sections. There is always -a cash market for raw furs and since the discovery of America, raw furs -have been an important article of commerce. An industry paying the -hunter and trapper probably $15,000,000 yearly is one that should -receive attention. The demand for furs is increasing as the population -of the world is becoming more and more. Again furs are being put to more -uses than ever. While the demand for furs is increasing, what of the -supply? The day, perhaps is not far in the distance when the demand will -call for two or three times as many furs as today. Where are they to -come from, if not from fur farming? - -A well known fur dealer in Minneapolis sizes up the situation in a -nut-shell: - - "Under proper conditions, with intelligent care, raising fur animals - can be made to pay. The raiser starting on a small scale and - increasing as their knowledge increases. Most all successful business - is built up by starting small." - -Conda J. Ham, in the Hunter-Trader-Trapper Magazine, says: - - "Did you ever stop to seriously think where your furs and your fur - coats would come from twenty or thirty years from now? At the rate - fur-bearing animals are being killed off at the present time, there - would not be fur enough thirty years from now to properly clothe the - nobility of the old world, to say nothing of our American women who - must have their new furs each season, and the others who must have at - least one or two sets during a lifetime. The fur industry is - admittedly fast dying a violent death. Some other remedy than those - already prescribed must be discovered. We still have sections of the - country where the same wild state of nature exists that could have - been found three hundred years ago. We still have plenty of - fur-bearing animals to keep alive their species if proper conditions - prevailed. Therefore, it would seem that the problem to solve is, how - can these conditions be best secured. - - "Mr. Norman A. Wood, expert taxidermist in the University of - Michigan's museum, the man most familiar with the animal life within - the state and one of the greatest authorities on animal life in the - whole Northwest, declares the fur industry can be saved only through - the medium of great fur farms. His study of the situation has - convinced him that the commercial growing of fur is coming to be one - of the great industries of America. - - "In various parts of the country such farms are to be found, and the - profit derived from them has been sufficient to prove the success of - the venture. Skunk farms have been started in various parts of the - United States within the past few years and are proving paying - enterprises. - - "It is no vague dream that prompts one to speak of fur farming. The - signs of the times point that way, indisputably. Every year the price - of raw furs bounds up to hitherto unknown levels, the demand is - constantly increasing almost as fast as the supply diminishes, and - with it having been demonstrated that fur-bearing animals can be - raised, men are not going to let such chances slip by." - -A. R. Harding, editorially in the same magazine says, speaking of fur -farming: - - "The business surely looks like a "gold mine" at present prices of fur - and breeding stock. Even should prices be reduced by one-half or more - the business bids to continue very profitable. - - "While scores, perhaps hundreds, will make good with the more valuable - foxes--black-silver, cross--thousands will find that profits may not - be so great (neither is the expense to get started) with the common - red fox, skunk, mink, marten, coon, oppossum and muskrat, yet the - raising of these animals is not apt to influence values. The world - needs millions of these skins each year, and the market is not so - limited as with the high priced furs. Looks like a great future for - the raiser of these animals. There is no denying the fact that the - supply of wild fur bearers is gradually becoming less, not only in - America, but throughout the entire world, while the demand for furs is - constantly increasing." - -Here is a bright future to "Fur Farming." The person who knows something -of the habits of the animal or animals that they expect to raise, will -be the successful one. The same applies to fur farming. The farmer who -has given attention to fur-bearing animals are the ones most apt to be -successful. A good many attempts were made at raising skunks, a number -of years ago, most of which were failures. Some entered the business on -a large scale, knowing nothing of the animals, and of course failed; -others "penned up" a few skunks and as they were not properly cared for, -failure was the result. - -The advanced price for skunk skins in recent years, has caused a revival -in their raising. This time, an entirely different class of people are -taking up the work, and they are going to succeed. Why? Because they -know something of the animal and are going at the business in a calm and -business-like way. - - [Illustration: One of Laymon's Stars.] - -People are not investing their all in a business without realizing the -possibility of success or failure. More is known of the Skunk today. It -is not the feared animal that it was yesterday. The day is not far -distant when it will take its rightful place among fur-bearers and its -hides sold for what they really are. There is hardly a more finer fur -than skunk and it should not be necessary to hide its identity under a -substitute name. - -The fur farmer, should the market be low for certain animals, can keep -over. Nine times in ten, this is the time to raise as many as possible, -for by another season, that particular article is likely to be in -demand. To illustrate: In the winter of 1908-09, No. 1 skunks from -northern and eastern sections were worth $2.00, while the following -winter the same skins were bringing just twice this figure. If the skunk -raisers who sold off their stock at low prices because the prospect was -not bright, had gone ahead they would have had a heavy crop of fur to -market at high prices by January, 1910. - -Some reports from those who have experimented in a small way at raising -fur animals is to the effect that they do not fur properly. This is true -in regard to skunk, when kept in a box or a small enclosure for weeks -and fed largely on meat. They must have contact with earth and be -allowed to forage for food. - -Skunk breed only once a year, unless the first litter are killed or die, -when another is sometimes born, and it might be said, such is frequently -the case. - -One thing is important, and that is, get the animals accustomed to their -keeper as soon as possible. The old will be wild for some time, but the -young soon become tame. Skunk are easily tamed, even children have -safely handled them. - -A man who has been in the fur farming industry for years, in response to -the inquiry, "Will the business pay?" says: "Yes, it will pay the right -man big dividends on the capital invested." The right man is one who has -natural aptitude for this sort of work, and who is "cut out" for fur -farming. If he has a liking for this sort of work, he will study the -nature and requirements of the animals and attend carefully to their -every want. - -Fur farming as an industry is only in its infancy, in fact, not begun. -The future looks bright to those who engage in the business in a -business way. To those who expect to make a fortune at the business in a -year or two, we predict failure, but to all who are willing to go at the -industry intelligently, building a substantial enclosure, paying the -same careful attention to the feed and care of their fur animals that -they would to other "stock," to get the best results, far more than -ordinary profits should result. - -Under ordinary circumstances skunk can be raised to maturity at a cost -of about 25c. The cheapest skin on the market will bring at least a -dollar, from that to live skunk at $15. Average profit will be over 400%. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -Enclosures, Dens, Food and Care. - - -The enclosure for a fur farm is one of the most important things for a -beginner to consider, for if it is not properly constructed, his labor -is in vain. We have heard of parties going to a great expense to procure -the animals and construct a fence to hold them, and because the fence -was not built on right lines, the animals escaped. This was unnecessary -had the netting or galvanized iron fencing extended about 18 inches -below the surface. Skunk seldom dig over a foot into the ground. - -The proper size of an enclosure depends on the number and kinds of -animals you intend to start with. For 10 skunks or less and their -offspring the first year we suggest an enclosure measuring 3 rods wide -by 4 rods long or 12 square rods. This will even answer for a much -larger number, but we do not believe in crowding. For 20 skunks and the -first year's young the enclosure should measure about 4 rods in width by -5 in length. - -You can successfully raise a hundred skunk on a single acre of ground. - -After you have decided on this business the first thing is to find the -proper location and make a suitable enclosure. There should be a spring -on, or a small stream crossing the ground to be inclosed, but at the -same time the ground must not be wet; in fact, it should be of rather -dry nature, so that there will not be too much dampness in the dens. -That is the picture of an ideal skunkery. - -But running water is not absolutely necessary so long as the animals are -furnished clear water for drinking purposes. 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 readily. If it is of a sandy nature it will -be all the better. 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 enclosure. This is a good idea and it will not be -necessary to extend the fence very deep into the water, as the skunk is -not a water animal and will not dive under; however, 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 weather. Where -running water is not to be had a basin of water should be provided for -bathing purposes. They bathe about once a week. This is a habit little -known by the amateur fur farmer. - -The enclosures should be large as possible. When the animals are -inclosed in small yards or pens they become infested with fleas, ticks, -etc., and they do not do well. By sprinkling the animals with poultry -powder usually used to destroy lice, and allowing the animal to den in -soft soil these parasites can be easily eradicated. Such small enclosures -will answer for a short time but as soon as possible they should be -placed in a large roomy yard. - -To enclose a certain amount of ground with the smallest number of rods -of fencing possible, the plat or ground to be enclosed should be in a -square. While the cost of enclosing an oblong piece of ground would be a -few dollars more than if square, this should not stand in the way if the -oblong piece of ground would make a better home for your fur-bearing -animals. If one only desires to experiment with a few animals and has -the material on hand, he may make a fence of boards, but it should not -be depended on for long. Where stones are set up edgewise or cement -used, it is rather expensive and as galvanized wire lasts well either in -the ground, where not exposed to the air, or being galvanized, it stands -the elements well, it seems to meet the requirements of the fur farmer -for fencing or enclosure purposes. There should be some trees, or at -least shade, no matter what animals you are experimenting with. - -For fencing material, galvanized wire netting of one-inch mesh is -generally used for the breeding yards, and 1 1/2-inch for the outside -fence, as the young animals will escape through a two-inch mesh. The -outside fence should be seven feet in height. Under ordinary conditions -the skunk would not escape over a four-foot fence, but there is danger -in winter from drifting snow, and dogs and other animals must be kept -out at all times; therefore, 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 out. - -Some skunk raisers simply place flat stones on top of the ground at the -foot of the fence to prevent the animals from digging out, 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 fence, inside, of course, -and cover lightly with dirt. They claim that this is a very good way to -prevent skunks from escaping by digging, but on the whole we think that -the method of sinking the netting or galvanized iron about 18 inches -below the surface is best. - - [Illustration: Fence of poultry netting, covered with sheet tin, - showing foundation.] - -The persons who expect to make "fur farming" a business, can begin in a -small way and same need not interfere with other work to a great extent. -Year after year, as they learn more of the business, they can enlarge -the grounds. Farmers and others who from experience know much of the -animals, will no doubt be the most successful from the start. The ox, -horse and sheep were wild at one time, but they have become domesticated. -Why not the same with the fur-bearers? This is exactly what should be -done. Skunks especially, are very easily domesticated. When the raiser -learns this and furnishes an enclosure with dens and food similar to -that which they get when in their wild state, they will be on the road -to success. - - [Illustration: Fence of Netting, Showing Support and turned in top.] - -On the Laymon farm we have been experimenting with galvanized iron or -tin fencing, and we prefer it to wire netting. The animals appear more -contented when they cannot see other and wider fields. This is -especially true during the breeding season. This fencing is a better -protection against dogs and prowling animals also on the outside. - -In the case of galvanized iron fencing, we find that the fence need not -be over five feet, with 3 or 4 strands of barbed wire to keep out dogs -and prowling animals. The animals do not see out, nor prowlers in and -hence the skunk are less liable to become excitable. - -The interior of the enclosure should be divided into compartments, using -netting or galvanized tin for the fences but they need not be so high. -The largest compartment would be for the females and there should be a -smaller one for the males, also one for the young animals after they -have become large enough to take care of themselves. Some also make -small yards in which to place the females, two or three together, after -the young animals are born. The most of those who have tried skunk -breeding, however, have not found this necessary, but there should -always be a separate enclosure for the males. When the number of animals -increases it will be necessary to have a few small breeding yards, large -enough for ten or twelve animals. One need not, however, make such an -elaborate enclosure in the start but can enlarge it as needed, adding -more compartments. - - [Illustration: Breeding Range Constructed of Galvanized Iron.] - -In each compartment a number of dens should be made by digging a trench -and covering afterwards. While the animals will dig dens if necessary, -they prefer even while in a wild state to use dens already made. Boxes, -barrels or pens with board floors should not be used. 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 ground. 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 purposes. Where the land is flat -it seems wise to throw up a few mounds of earth so that the animal may -dig into the soil. A hole can be started in a bank with a post-hole -auger and the animal will finish it, seldom burrowing more than a foot -further into the earth. - -No matter what style of den is used it should be so constructed that -there is no danger of it getting damp. Banks of earth of a kind which do -not absorb and retain water make good places in which to dig dens, and -it is easy to incline the entrance so that water from rain or melting -snow cannot drain into the passage. The entrance should be made large -enough so that the animals can pass in and out easily, for if the -passage is small there is danger that the fur will be injured. There -should also be plenty of dens, so that if one becomes damp or infested -with vermin, the occupants can take up their quarters elsewhere. - -On the Laymon farm we have several different kinds. The breeding pens -are built par-to keep out the rain. After we have once ascertained that -the young have arrived we do not disturb the female for several days, -save to see that she has plenty to eat and drink. Females are quite -devoted to her young. The entrance is of wood and in some cases tiling. -The opening should be large to avoid rubbing the fur. - -The summer dens are of natural earth formed or dug into earth, built -around straw or wood, with tile entrance. - -The winter dens are large, built like a well with a cave-like entrance. -These things are necessary only where skunk are raised on a large scale. -As far as possible, we do not allow the fur of the animal to come in -contact with rough surfaces other than earth. We only allow one female -in a brood pen at one time, and use galvanized iron fencing between the -pens. Females will steal one another's young when given the chance -causing the young animals to starve to death, and we don't give them the -chance. - -The skunks are perfectly cleanly about the dens and always deposit their -droppings in one corner, or outside. They seldom discharge their scent -and unless he were to see it, one might pass close by a skunk "ranch" -and never know it. - - -Feeding. - -Skunks should have plenty of food especially during the summer and they -should be fed at regular intervals, giving just enough for a meal each -time. It is advisable to give a mixed diet, partly animal and partly -vegetable. They will eat almost all kinds of flesh and fish, table -scraps, fruits, especially if very ripe, melons, sweet potatoes, berries, -etc. One of the most satisfactory foods is bread and milk, but it is -considered too expensive by some people. However, it should be given -occasionally. They will eat carrion, but such food should not be given, -for it is likely to cause disease. In the fall especially, when they are -laying on fat for winter, they should have plenty of food. In winter -they do not require so much. It is a lack of meat food that causes them -to eat their young and one should feed well during the spring and autumn. - -Skunks feed largely on insects, grubs, etc., and if they have range -enough will supply themselves with the greater portion. They are fond of -eggs, either fresh or spoiled, and should be given a feed of this kind -occasionally if possible. They also have a fondness for poultry. - -The matter of providing sufficient food is not as difficult as it would -appear at first glance. If the farm is located near a large town, -butchers, hotel and restaurant keepers will generally save table scraps, -stale bread, etc., on request, if one will make a regular habit of -calling for it. This is why it seems desirable to establish a skunkery -close to or in a city. Even in the country the neighbors will help out. -The farmers will be only too glad to have you take the dead stock, -poultry, etc., thus saving them the time and labor of otherwise -disposing of it. - -As before stated, the Laymon Skunkery is an ideal farm. We have a large -range of gully land through which runs a natural spring, and is covered -with a dense underbrush. The skunk run wild here, male and female -breeders after the regular rutting season is over. We feed them only -once a day, at evening, and that mostly hominy hearts mixed with water -and milk. Just now, June 23rd, they are as fat as prime porkers and in -excellent condition. We are experimenting on cutting out all meat for at -least five days each week. We maintain that 25c will cover the expense -of raising a skunk to maturity. They are wild for mulberries and -"roasting ears." Enjoy ripe apples and roots. Relish clover, and like -cats get crazy over fish, and there is no doubt about them liking "cat -meat," and the flesh of rabbits, fresh or tainted. - - -Breeding. - -The mating season comes late in February and in March and the young -animals make their appearance in May, the period of gestation being -about nine weeks. The young are born hairless or furless, and remain -blind from 4 to 5 weeks. The mother will wean her young at from 7 to 9 -weeks of age. Care should be taken to note the symptoms, as when the -young refuse to be weaned, the mother is likely to injure them. They are -fully matured in six months, and their hides become prime and ready for -market. They breed when a year old and live about 7 years. - -After weaning the young should be allowed to run wild in a pen where -there are other young animals. But not with the old males until such a -time as they are able to protect themselves. - -One male animal will easily serve eight or ten females and he should be -left in their company a number of days. After that he should be removed -and to make certain, another male should be installed for a few days. -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 injured. -They seem to know enough to keep out of each other's way on the range. - -We believe, however, that to allow the males and females to run wild (if -the range is large enough) has a tendency to create larger litters. We -believe that the females cohabit with more than one male at rutting time -and that additional young are created at each service. We know that our -litters are larger in number than is ordinarily supposed, ranging from -six to ten, whereas when served by one as above, the litters averaged -from four to eight. - -Great care should be exercised in the selection of the males for -breeding stock. Only the large and healthy animals of good color should -be used and all others should be killed and their skins marketed, or the -live altered animals sold for pets, while they are in good condition. -Never allow a breeder to die of old age. Sell the pelts early and use -young stock for the purpose. - -While the animals do not always breed strictly true to color, the white -markings may be greatly reduced and the general stock improved by -selected breeding. One should, 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 disastrous. One can not be -too careful in this respect for it is very important. - -After the mating season the female should be separated, placed in small -enclosures and they should be well fed or otherwise they may kill and -eat the young. They should be allowed to remain in these small -enclosures until the young animals are large enough to take care of -themselves, when they should be separated and the females may again be -placed in the large enclosure. - -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 food. They -require fresh drinking water at all times and the enclosures should be -so arranged that each compartment will be supplied. - -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 one. 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 breeding. - -On the whole, one should study the habits of the animals on every -opportunity and attend to their wants. If one will give the proper -attention to the animals and take an interest in them there is no reason -why he should not succeed. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -Trapping, Skinning, Shipping. - - -The skunk belongs to the weasel family, and is nocturnal in its habits, -but unlike other fur-bearing animals of the weasel family, lacks -alertness. It is exceedingly slow in locomotion compared with other -animals, and naturally falls an easy prey to the average hunter or -trapper. - -The only drawback and reason why this animal was not extensively hunted -or trapped and the skin marketed twenty or thirty years ago, was the -danger of being sprayed with their peculiar essence. The fur is fine and -eagerly sought after, especially the black furred skins, which bring -high prices. As many as 500,000 skunk skins are marketed in a year. - -The skins are generally divided into four or five distinct grades, and -each grade is then assorted accordingly to quality and size. Skunks -should not be killed for the pelt out of season, but this is true of all -animals, where the furred skin has a market value. The open season for -Minnesota, Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Montana and northern sections, is -from November 1st to February 15th, varying somewhat upon the weather. -South or middle states the season opens somewhat earlier, and naturally -closes on approach of warm weather. The fur of the skunk is the first of -all fur bearing animals to become prime, and is also first to suffer the -loss of its lustre and primeness. - - -How to Kill Without Being Scented. - -There are many ways and methods in common use for capturing and killing -this animal, but probably the best is the use of steel traps, though a -long stick is equally as good, providing the one who holds it -comprehends his business and uses same advantageously. The author has -known two lads to kill and skin forty skunks in a day. Of course, great -care must be exercised to kill the animal without receiving a discharge -of the perfume. A six to eight foot long stick, one and a half to two -inches in diameter is the proper weapon and instrument to use in killing -skunks. A smart blow on the back about one to two inches beyond the tail -will readily fell the animal. This blow will paralyze and benumb the -muscles and nerves employed by the animal to distribute its obnoxious -fluid. An additional blow is necessary, and the latter should be given -on top of the head. - - -Steel Traps. - -Steel traps are used with good effect. They should be set just before -the hole and be covered with loose bits of dirt, leaves or other -vegetation. Some prefer to use bait, the latter can be a beef head, a -chicken, or, in fact, any chunk of old meat or carcass. Drag same in -various ways and drop in a conspicuous place or in center of a nest of -traps. The trap should be attached to a clog, or loose bushes, never -attach two traps to the same article. Skunks often spring traps set for -mink, wolf and other animals, but seldom devour or even touch a victim -should they come upon same while making their nocturnal visits. - - -A Box Trap. - - [Illustration: Box Trap for Catching small Animals Alive.] - -The usual bait for skunk is birds, bits of meat, pieces of chicken and -rabbit, whether old or fresh. A good method and trap is to bury a large -dry-good box; see that the top is even with the surface of the earth, -place light brushes, hay or straw across the opening, upon which -sprinkle a little loose earth. Some prefer to make an artificial opening -in top of box after same is buried, into which the skunk will descend, -rather fall in, but cannot get out. Some strong smelling bait should be -placed in the box, which is to attract the animal from a distance. As -many as eight skunks have been caught during one night by the use of -this style of box trap. This seems to prove that skunk do not make a -noise when caught. - - -A Barrel Trap. - - [Illustration: Barrel Trap. If Set on the Slope of a Hill, Will Capture - More Than one Animal.] - -Another method is the so-called barrel trap. A sugar, vinegar or whisky -barrel will answer. Remove the head and securely fasten the bait on -inside of bottom of barrel. Place the barrel in a slanting position, -open part toward the earth, and arrange by balancing the barrel in such -a way that when the skunk enters by crawling up in a barrel, being -attracted there by the bait, the barrel with the skunk will tip over and -Mr. Skunk fall on his nose inside of the barrel and be a captive. This -is a good and cheap trap and the victim cannot get out, though only one -animal can be caught at one time. Some trappers dig the skunk out, -others dig until they reach the cavity in which they usually have their -nests and are found huddled up together in a bunch. If found in such a -position it is an easy matter to suffocate them, thus obliterating all -possible chances of the animals distributing their obnoxious perfume. -All that is necessary after one sees the animals is to cover them up -with soft dirt, which should be lightly tamped every two inches of -filling and continued until about fifteen to eighteen inches is securely -tamped. In about fifteen to twenty minutes the trapper can uncover the -den by removing the earth, and he will find the animals suffocated. -After all, it is poor policy to suffocate whole dens of skunk. They -should be caught alive. - -It is unnecessary, but we recommend for the trapper, (new beginners) or -hunters, to remove the perfume containers (glands) before skinning as -one is likely to cut into the bags and distribute the perfume, but if -removed all danger of coming in contact with the liquid weapon is of the -past. - -Skunks, when located in holes, can be smoked out or suffocated, either -with common smoke or vapors arising from burning sulphur. To locate the -distance of digging, insert a long switch or telegraph wire into the -hole. The author has personally seen trappers dig down for a short -distance and then reach after the animals with their hands, and sure -enough they succeed in bringing the animals, one by one, from their den. -Strange as it seems no perfume was discharged. This is probably due to -the fact that the other trapper assisted by knocking them senseless -immediately after their heads appeared through the hole. A piece of -3/4-inch round iron, about twelve inches in length, was used. Trappers -relate and claim that it is a positive fact that the skunk will refrain -from biting or discharging perfume while in their holes. - - [Illustration: A Battery of Brooding Dens on the Laymon Farm.] - -Deadfalls, figure four and other home-made traps can be employed, though -the animal must be skinned promptly, and often the fur becomes damaged -from the instrument itself or by long delay and exposure to the weather. -There are many other methods and ways to capture and kill this animal, -but by the foregoing any one contemplating to trap or hunt will have the -essential knowledge. - -The rifle can be used whenever possible, but the use of the shotgun is -detrimental to the skin, and its use should be prevented when the -question of its fur is taken into consideration. The animal should not -be entirely eradicated from any particular locality, as the skunk is -more beneficial than harmful to the farms, and again, the killing of -skunks out of season is entirely absurd and uncalled for, the animal -being harmless. The meat while not generally consumed, can be used, -though when fried, it is dry and tough, resembling bull meat in that -respect. The fat is used for medicinal purposes. Skunk oil is highly -recommended for sore throat, croup, etc. - - -Killing, Skinning and Stretching. - -When "killing time" comes, care should be taken to not frighten the -animals left for breeding purposes more than is absolutely necessary. -All animals that are tame enough should be driven into a separate -enclosure and out of sight of the others before being killed. Perhaps as -good a method of killing as any is to use a good club, striking on the -hips just over the region of the scent sac. Skunk should be killed -without the enclosure becoming strongly scented. A pole several feet -long with a strong loop on the end can be slipped over their tails. The -animal can now be lifted clear off the ground and carried wherever the -killing is desired. Drowning is not recommended, as it takes the fur -hours to dry and is therefore extra work. Some even claim that the -water spoils the luster of the fur to a certain extent. - -Skunk do not leave their dens during severe weather, so that it is -advisable to begin selecting those that are to be killed days and even -weeks in advance of the time decided upon. These should be placed in an -enclosure or pen by themselves so that the remaining ones will not be -disturbed. Animals selected need not be operated upon, though the scent -sac should be removed before skinning. - -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 killed. Of course in the spring after the females have -young, they must be fed heavily. - -Some raisers as soon as the young are weaned, select those that are to -be killed the coming winter, keeping them separate from the breeding -stock so that they can be fed properly. That is a great saving of food, -as those for market should be fed much more than the breeders at this -season--say during the months of September, October and November. - - -Two Methods of Skinning. - -There are two distinct methods of skinning fur-bearing animals, and -skins are known as "cased" or "open" skins, according to the method of -removing the pelt. Open skins are those removed by ripping the skin down -the belly and are stretched out flat. Cased skins are those drawn off -the body from the tail to the head, by ripping the skin on the backs of -the hind legs. - -The skunk skins should be cased. Cut off the front feet with a knife or -hatchet, cut around the hind feet and rip down the back of the hind -legs, using care when cutting and skinning around the scent glands. -Split the tail about one-third of its length on the under side, and skin -it that far by using the knife; then strip it from the bone by means of -a split stick. Grasp the stick with your right hand, palm up, and with -the tail between the second and third fingers, tail pointing up; hold -the carcass by placing the left hand on the hind quarters; close your -right hand and give a steady pull upwards and the skin will be stripped -from the tail quickly and easily. Now draw the skin downward, off the -body, to the shoulders. Here two thin muscles will insist on hanging -fast to the skin; put your finger under them and tear them loose. You -can now get hold of the front legs, and strip the skin from them. Strip -the skin on down to the head, then feel for the base of the ears and -cut them off close to the head. Skin on to the eyes; here you must use -the knife again, but use care not to enlarge the eye aperture. Cut the -skin loose about the mouth and the end of the nose, but don't cut the -nose off the skin. The pelt now resembles a small, narrow sack, with fur -side in. Before you lay it down, turn it with the fur side out and thus -keep the skin clean until you are ready to flesh and stretch it. - - -Skins Should be Fleshed. - -The skin of any animal should be fleshed and stretched as soon as -possible after it is removed from the carcass. If the weather is -somewhat warm and the skin remains uncleaned and unstretched a day or -two, it may start to taint. - -For fleshing cased skins I use two boards, one about three inches wide -and three feet long for small skins, and the other five inches wide and -four feet long for larger ones. These fleshing boards must be perfectly -smooth and flat. They should not be beveled towards the edge like a -stretching board, but should have the edges slightly rounded. - -Before fleshing a cased skin be sure that there are no burrs or other -foreign substances in the fur, for such would cause you to cut the skin, -then draw the pelt on the board, fur side in. Now with the base of the -board resting on the floor and the nose against your chest, shove the -fat and flesh from the skin with the knife or hatchet, from the head to -the tail. The instrument should be held at an angle of about 40 degrees. -Don't try to flesh on the edge of the board or you will injure the skin. -Turn the skin occasionally until you are all the way around and the pelt -is perfectly clean of flesh and fat. The thin sheet of muscle found on -the back of the skunk should not be removed, but the loose rolls behind -the shoulders should be removed down to a point where it appears to be -firmly attached to the skin. Don't scrape away at a skin of any kind -until nothing remains but the scarf skin and the fur. There is such a -thing as overdoing it, and one should remember that he is only to remove -the loose parts, which are not a part of the skin. Skunk, oppossum, and -muskrats are the skins which are the most likely to be overdone, and the -skunk in particular. - - -Stretching Important. - -After the skins are fleshed they are ready for stretching. I advise the -use of the three-piece board. To use the three-piece board, turn the -skin with the flesh side out and insert the two main pieces of the -board, the flat edges together; draw the skin down to its full extent -and fasten the hind legs with two nails to each. Be sure that the skin -is on the board squarely, the back on one side, and the belly on the -other, then insert the wedge between the two pieces of the board. Put -the wedge in firmly, but don't drive it in with a hammer, for there is -such a thing as over-stretching a skin. Then draw the back down and -fasten it with two nails near the root of the tail. Then turn the board -over, and stretch the other side, fastening it also with two nails. Now -fasten all the edges by placing the nails 1 1/2 or 2 inches apart, -keeping the legs one-half on each side of the board. 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 nails. The tail of the skunk must be stretched -out flat as far as it is split. Now take your jackknife and make a little -incision in the tip of the tail of all animals except the otter. This is -to allow the air to circulate and let the moisture drain out. If the -weather is very warm, put a little salt in the tail to keep it from -tainting. The loss of the tail will detract heavily from the value of -the skin, and in case the bone has broken off, as happens sometimes, the -tail should be opened on the under side and the bone removed. After the -tail is attended to, loop a string around the nails in the lower jaw and -hang the pelt in a cool, dry, airy place to cure. Be sure that it swings -free, and does not rest against the other skins. - -A few remarks about packing furs for shipment may not come amiss. Never -ship furs until they are perfectly dry for they may taint in shipping. -It is not necessary, however, for the tails to be perfectly dry. Make -the skins up into a nice, neat package and sew it in a burlap. Don't -roll skins; pack them flat. It is best to wrap them in paper before -placing them in the package. Always put a card, bearing your name and -address, inside of the package to help identify them, in case the -outside tag gets torn off. Put two shipping tags on each package and -fill them out with your name and address in the place reserved for it. -When you give them into the hands of the express company, give their -true value, as near as you can, and be sure that the agent marks the -valuation on the receipt. Then in case they are lost, you can hold the -express company responsible. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -Habits of The Skunk. - - -Skunks are found in all parts of the United States, with the exception -of the mountainous district of the West. They occur again to the west of -the mountain ranges and also are found in most parts of Southern Canada. -They are found in the prairie country and in the hilly and mountainous -districts of the East, and are at home in the "wilds" as well as in the -thickly settled districts, however, they seem to thrive best in the -farming sections and especially if the country is of a hilly nature. -Their dens are located along the gravelly hillsides, quite often under -the roots of trees and stumps but in the prairie they den along the -washouts and creek banks. In thickly settled sections they frequently -make their home under houses and outbuildings, showing practically no -fear of man and often appropriate the den of the woodchuck. - -They are nocturnal animals and as a rule do not wander far from the den -but in the fall they travel farther, looking for a good den in which to -spend the winter. Again, in early spring during the mating season, the -males travel considerably. While they are not a hibernating animal, they -stay in their dens during cold weather, also when the snow is loose and -deep, but are sure to be out on the first nice night. - -The mating season of this animal is in February and early March and the -young are born mostly in May, although some will be born in April. There -are usually from four to ten young in a litter but occasionally there -will be a larger number. - -The value of a skunk skin depends mainly on its size and markings, they -being graded by the buyers entirely by the amount of black fur, -providing, of course, that the skin is prime and well handled. - -Being slow moving animals, 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 mice, insects and grubs, also of the eggs and young -of such birds as nest on the ground. They are very fond of poultry and -frequently visit the poultry houses, killing the young birds. They also -feed on carrion. When they can get it they will eat almost any kind of -animal food. Even in the wild state the skunk is not, strictly speaking, -a carnivorous animal as they will eat and in fact are fond of sweet corn -when in a milky state, also sweet potatoes, melons and wild fruits. It -appears that if the male skunk is not separated from the female at -breeding time, the female will kill the male, presumably to protect her -young. And on the other hand the male will kill and eat the young if -given the chance. - -Robert B. Phillips relates the following in H-T-T: - - "I wish to relate an experience with the lowly skunk. I found some - skunk signs near an old cave large enough for a small boy to creep in. - I set one trap near the main entrance and another one about fifteen - feet away both fastened to clogs. (I wish to state before I go farther - that the cave has a sickening sulphur smell and in the winter time, no - matter how deep the snow is elsewhere, you will not find any for about - three feet around the mouth of the cave.) Well I visited the traps the - next morning and upon arriving at the cave I saw two skunks about - twenty feet from the hole. One was eating at the hind quarters of the - other. Of course I thought they were both in my traps, 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 him. The skunk was only two feet from his dwelling when I - made a quick shot with a twenty two rifle. Of course I missed so I - knew he was gone for the time being. I went to the other one and found - him breathing his last. He had his entire tail, scent glands and the - meat all eaten off the bones at the junction of the hind legs and the - base of the backbone. 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 yet. Neither of them had thrown their scent. - - "Two days later I caught the other one, the largest male skunk I ever - caught. When I went there he was leisurely eating a rabbit he had - evidently caught. This happened in the beginning of December and both - were male skunks. - - "I know of another case where skunks turned Cannibalistic. 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 - prime. They had eight or nine in an old spring wagon. One morning he - went out to see them and found they had killed and eaten one of their - own number. There are a few of those fellows around here. They are - afraid another fellow might catch one or two of them. - - "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 devour. Some people have an idea that a skunk - does nothing but steal chickens. This he does sometimes, but he makes - up for that by catching cut worms and other insects which spoil - thousands of dollars worth of crops annually. I have opened their - stomachs already and found centipedes and angle worms and lots of - beetles in them. Skunk also loves mice." - - -Breeding. - -Earl Williamson says: - - "I see in the H-T-T where persons have found skunk dens with nearly - all female skunks. My experience has been that in every den there is - one male and two or more females; twenty-two being the highest I have - ever heard of being taken from one den. The females and male den up - early while the rest travel around in nice weather and stay in any - hole in bad weather." - - Says a Nebraska trapper: "I have seen from 2 to 12 skunk in one den, - but never more than 1 male with a den of females. The males of a - litter seem to be forced to leave, only one remaining. The males so - treated den themselves individually at a distance from the herd of - females, returning in the spring. I have never known them to use their - odor in a fight among themselves, neither have I known them to make a - noise other than patting on the ground with their front feet." - -J. M. Bray writes of Skunk Handling: - - "Norris Johnson, John K. 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 taken. Some of the - onlookers thought that was wonderful the way we handled those skunks. - Now, right here is where I want to say that you can do it just as well - as I can, if it is necessary for you to handle them. Go to them with a - quiet, but firm step; take a good hold on their tails and you can - carry them anywhere you want to. I have had a number of inquiries - whether my skunks were odorless. I will say they are not and it is not - necessary to make them odorless. If you use them gently you can have - them around for a year and no one would know that you had them. Some - ask, will black skunks breed all black, or will some breed back into - lower grades? It is a known fact that all animals will breed back - sometimes, but by having black you will breed black. But I find by - having black bucks and by having short stripe females (and no threes - or fours) your breed will be from fifty to seventy-five per cent - black, or No. 1. - - "Some have asked me what to feed them. Skunks will eat anything that a - cat or dog will eat, also various fruits, such as apples, pears, - persimmons, sweet corn or field corn (so long as the grains are soft). - Where you have a number you will have to figure on the feed. Skim milk - and stale bread, butchers' scraps, meat from dead animals, dead - chickens or anything of that nature, but it will be necessary to vary - their feed occasionally. - - "If you start with a pair or so for an experiment you do not need such - a large enclosure, but if you want to make a business of it, 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 pen. Don't crowd them or you - will be the loser." - -Skunk have no means of defense other than their scent, but this is -sufficient in many cases and the majority of people will give them a -wide berth. 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 tame. - - -CULLED FROM CORRESPONDENCE. - - "While trapping this last season I caught a skunk each night for three - nights in succession at the same den and the three brought $12.00 - which I thought was pretty good for three skunks out of the same den. - I have caught as high as eight skunks in one day."--Lee Guthrie. - - "Skunks can be raised as easily as house cats, providing you have an - enclosure where they cannot dig out or climb over. For every hundred - old skunks, you should have an acre of ground enclosed. - - "I experimented for three years on a small scale. The first year I had - one male and three females. They brought forth fifteen young. One - died, plus four old ones, leaving eighteen--eleven females and seven - males. Five of the young graded as No. 2, balance star black. - - "The second year I started with twelve females and two males, bringing - forth forty-three young, plus fourteen old ones, total fifty-seven, - less three, which died, leaving a balance of fifty-four. I took out - seventeen males and five No. 2 females, leaving a balance of - thirty-two black ones."--I. M. Bray. - - "When cold weather comes the female dens up and with very few - exceptions does not stir until mating season which is in February. - Trappers will tell you that fully 90 per cent of the November, - December and January catch are males. After February 10, when the - running season is on the catch is largely females. At this season a - skunk tracked to its den and dug out has often resulted in as many as - eight or ten. These are mostly females."--H-T-T. - - "In regard to the habits of skunk in the Elkhorn River District, - Nebraska, will say they usually den in old badger holes, cleaning them - out in the fall, sometimes making a cavity in them 2x3 feet by 18 - inches high, preferring hilltops, bluffs and slough banks as - situations. Sometimes they dig dens themselves, seldom going over 1 - foot below the surface. The cavity is bedded 6 inches deep and the - hole about half filled with dry grass."--Nebraskan. - - "Farm readers, please don't kill the skunk during the summer when his - hide is worthless, because he got a chicken or two, but wait and take - his hide in the winter. It will more than pay for the chicken if you - really must rid your back woods of him, why not take him with box - traps and start a fur farm?"--Peerless Bum. - - "John M. McCrary asks if we have ever heard a skunk make a noise. I - can answer that by saying positively yes. I have two male skunks - together in a pen and we have been awakened every night about 10 - o'clock by their hideous squeals. They seem to be very congenial - during the daytime," says Harold Pugh. - - Probably the sound you think so hideous is sweet music to the skunks. - However, it may be their war cry. If you would watch them and study - their habits, especially at night, you might make some valuable - contributions to our knowledge of skunk habits. - - "Why don't all of you fellows start a fur farm? It will be the most - paying business in the country pretty soon."--Albert C. Hancock. - - "The natural habits of the skunk is to live in holes in the ground, - rocks, trees, stumps, etc. Their food consists of mice, birds, bugs, - crickets, grasshoppers, bees, wasps, yellow jackets, angle worms, - seeds, berries, ground roots and barks."--Bureau of Agriculture. - -Beyond all doubt the skunk has been given more consideration by raisers -of fur-bearers than any other animal, with the exception of the fox. -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 deserves, they have been -reasonably successful. Most of these people have started in on a small -scale, having perhaps only a dozen or two of skunks to start with; in -fact nowhere has the business been carried on as extensively as some -newspaper articles would lead one to believe; the majority of these -parties having at the most only two or three hundred animals. - -It is the smaller experimenters, in other words those who have begun on -a small scale, who have been most successful. 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 one. Farmers naturally take an -interest in all nature and are most likely to give the proper amount of -attention to the animals, also learn their habits readily and act -accordingly and these qualities are absolutely necessary for the -successful raising of all fur-bearing animals. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -Miscellaneous Information. - - -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 failure. If so much care is -necessary in breeding domestic animals, how much more important the care -in handling the wild creatures, knowing so little of them as the average -man does. But even handicapped by lack of knowledge the experimenters -have been fairly successful from the start if they were right men for -the business. Without exception they all report that the animals breed -well in captivity and are easily kept; in a short time becoming quite -tame and losing their fear of man. - -The skunk is an animal which is despised and feared by many people -because of its readiness to make use of its powerful scent, the only -means of defense with which nature has provided it, 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 harmless. We -will say, however, to those who are afraid of the scent, do not attempt -to raise skunks, but devote your time to some other calling for which -you are more fitted. But if you want to make clean money, raise skunk. - - -Removing the Scent Sacs. - -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 -breeding. - -The operation is easily performed and if done when the skunks are very -young, about the time they first open their eyes, they are seldom harmed -by it. The operator should provide himself with an old bag, and seated -on a low bench with the bag between his knees should place the animal in -the bag, leaving only the hind quarters uncovered. With a small, sharp -knife make a 1/4 or 3/8-inch incision over the gland, and with an awl -lift up on the gland, which at that age will be about the size of a -cranberry, at the same time pressing down gently on the surrounding -tissue with the flat side of the knife. The gland will lift up readily. -Then holding it with the awl, cut it through the center, allowing the -remaining half to return to place. 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 -gland. All of the scent, and only half of the gland is necessary. -Following is a more detail description of the operation of removing the -scent sac: - - -Description of The Scent Glands of The Skunk. - -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 defense. They are not related in any -way to the genito-urinary system either in location or function. They -are the same in both sexes. - - [Illustration: Laymon and Assistant Removing the Scent Sac.] - -The scent fluid which is the special secretion of these glands is -contained in two sacs located beneath the skin, one on each side of the -vent. Each sac is embedded in a powerful, gizzard-like, muscular -envelope the contraction of which discharges the scent fluid. Fig. 1 and -Fig. 2 show general location and form. - -Within the rectum just beyond the sphincter muscle which ordinarily -keeps the vent closed are two papillae from which the scent is -discharged. Each papilla is connected with one of the scent sacs by a -discharge duct. - -Ordinarily the discharge papillae are not visible but when the skunk -discharges the scent fluid the tail is raised and doubled close along -the back, 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 accuracy. - -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 animal. To -kill without scent the backbone should be broken by a quick blow or the -skunk should be drowned. - -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 scent. Care must be taken that the skunk does -not twist or climb upward. It should be held low to keep its interest -centered on the ground which it will strive to reach. - - -Directions for Removing the Scent Sacs From Live Skunks -Without the Escape of Any of the Scent Fluid. - - [Illustration: FIG. 1, X-RAY OF SCENT SYSTEM.] - -This operation is simple and may be readily learned by anyone who will -follow these instructions carefully. No anaesthetic is needed. - -1. The beginner should dress in old clothes or overalls and as a -precaution should wear goggles to protect the eyes in case of accident. -An old hat or a paper sack worn as a cap will protect the hair. With -these safeguards the learner feels perfectly at ease and therefore the -chance of accident is much lessened while acquiring proficiency. - -2. A heavy plank supported on two wooden buckets makes a good -operating table. Straddling this plank the operator and his assistant -sit facing each other. - -3. The proper instruments are as follows: - - 1 nickel plated scalpel (knife). - 1 nickel plated tenaculum (hook). - 1 nickel plated sound probe (probe). - 1 pair nickel plated special extracting forceps. - 1 pair nickel plated automatic clamping forceps. - 2 pair goggles (worn only by beginners as safeguard). - -4. Several pieces of clean white cloth about three inches square -should be provided. - -5. The instruments should be boiled about ten minutes in clear water -to insure cleanliness. 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 hand. - -6. The operator first takes his seat and spreads a gunny-sack or -burlap across the plank just in front of him. - -7. The assistant then brings the skunk carrying it by the tail with -his right hand. 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 line. - -8. The assistant now, by means of his hold on the nape of the neck -brings the skunk into a horizontal position (keeping the backbone and -tail in a straight line) and lays it belly downward on the gunny-sack -with head toward the operator. - - [Illustration: FIG. 2, SECTIONAL VIEW OF SCENT SYSTEM. - - 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] - -9. The operator wraps the gunny-sack snugly about the skunk while the -assistant releases his hold on the nape of the neck. - -10. The assistant now immediately places the forefinger of his left -hand with light pressure over the vent, while the operator proceeds to -turn the skunk on its back keeping the gunny-sack wrapped firmly about -the animal. - -11. Now only the tail and butt of the skunk are exposed to view. The -gunny-sack covers all four feet and head so there can be no scratching -or biting. - -12. The operator brings his knees together over the plank and thereby -holds the skunk. This enables him to have both hands free. - -13. The operator now relieves the assistant by placing the fore-finger -of his own left hand over the vent. With the thumb of the same hand he -locates the scent gland just to the right of the vent. The gland is -easily recognized as feeling hard and round like a marble beneath the -skin abreast of the vent, neither forward nor backward from the vent. - -14. 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 it. His right hand is free. - -15. With a piece of cloth dipped in the carbolic solution he moistens -the fur and skin held between his thumb and finger. - -16. With the scalpel, starting at least three-eights of an inch from -the vent so as not to injure the sphincter muscle which encircles the -vent, 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 vent, as shown at H in Fig. 1. - -17. The incision is now carefully deepened until the firm, gizzard-like -envelope in which the sac lies is reached. The beginner is likely to -mistake this firm, muscular envelope for the sac itself because the -envelope is lighter in color than the tissues previously cut. - -18. He now proceeds more gradually to cut through the muscular -envelope as shown at H in Fig. 2, taking light strokes with the scalpel -and cutting only a slight depth each time. - -19. 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 cuts. - -20. Soon a small white bead appears in the bottom of the incision as -shown at L in Fig. 2. There is no mistaking this as it is the white sac -itself pushing through a very small opening which has been made through -the envelope. - -21. This opening is now carefully increased by turning the dull side -of the scalpel toward the protruding sac and cutting away from it, first -on one side and then on the other. - -22. The sac keeps pushing outward more and more until it is about the -size of a pea. The cutting is then stopped. - -23. Now by means of the extracting forceps the sac is gradually lifted -by raising it a little on one side and then on the other. 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 -forceps. The proper way is to grasp lightly and pull gently here and -there at its base. - -24. When half the sac has been worked through the opening the sac -suddenly pops up out of the gizzard-like envelope. - -25. The sac is now lifted carefully by the extracting forceps to see -that it is all clear and attached only by the discharge duct. - -26. 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 -scalpel. - -27. The duct, which alone holds the sac, is now clamped in the -automatic forceps as near the sac as feasible as shown in Fig. 3. - -28. The assistant now holds these forceps and thus supports the sac so -the operator can see the duct clearly. - -29. The operator then carefully examines the duct preparatory to -cutting it. 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 duct. See C, Figs 1, 2, 3. - -30. 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 hardness. - -31. The duct is now severed with the scalpel at a point a little way -from the papilla as shown at G in Fig. 3. - -32. The sac is now held free in the clamping forceps and not a -particle of the scent fluid has escaped. - -33. The operator then proceeds in the same manner to locate and remove -the second sac. - - [Illustration: FIG. 3. SAC COMPLETELY WITHDRAWN. - - 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 (Rectum) J--Tail] - -34. The incisions should be wiped out with a piece of cloth with -carbolic solution and never need any further attention. In a few days -not even the scars can be found. - -35. The operation is performed most easily when the animal is not too -old or fat. Any time from one-third to two-thirds growth is a good age -for this work. - -36. 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 hour. - -The removing of the scent sac has increased the value of No. Four skunk. -Many are sold as pets, and others used for advertising purposes. We do -not go to the trouble of removing the sac on animals we know we are -going to kill soon. There is no danger of scenting when the skunk is -carried suspended by the tail. - -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 -captivity. They were men with capital, who began on a large scale -expecting to make a fortune in a short time, but in this they were -mistaken, for many of them lost all that they invested. These parties -have had trouble from the older animals killing and eating the young, -also depradations of owls, but mainly from the first reason. It is our -opinion that this cannibalistic tendency is caused by improper feeding, -as those parties who have used care in that respect have had no trouble -=whatever=. - -To those who are thinking of embarking in the business of skunk farming, -we would say--start on a small scale with only a small number of -animals, say two dozen females and six males. Give them every possible -attention and study them under all conditions. Do not expect to make a -fortune in a short time. - - -Laws Affecting Fur Farming. - -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 -captivity?" This question has caused considerable trouble, for in states -where fur-bearers are protected a part of the year, it is usually -considered unlawful to have the live animals in possession during closed -season, but not always so. - -Only one state, namely New York, has laws making it a misdemeanor to -have protected fur-bearing animals in possession during closed season. -In that state it surely would be unlawful to raise skunks, for the law, -after giving the open season on these animals says: "They shall not be -possessed or killed at any other time." It is our opinion that the -fur-farmer would not get into any trouble with the law, in any state -other than New York, if he would kill the captive animals only during -the open season for the said animals, since the game laws of no other -state say that you may not have the animals in possession. Still there -are fur farms in the state of New York. - -You are obliged to comply with rules and regulations of the Conservation -Commission of New York. You should write to this commission at Albany, -New York, and get their instructions and permission. Fur farming laws -and game laws covering this subject are confused and unsatisfactory. Fur -farmers are likely to find that much depends on the disposition of local -game protectors, and should get in touch with them and with the state -authorities, especially a state like New York. - - -Dye Markings to Denote Sex--Toe Clipping to Denote Age. - -We have installed what we consider a very handy system of skunk labeling -on our farm. For instance we mark the male skunk with a red mark -perpendicularly across the white markings in the head. If he is -"altered," this mark becomes a cross. With the female it is -blue mark--if "altered," the mark becomes a cross. To denote the age we -simply clip a claw each year at a certain time. The unclipped animal is -less than a year old. We seldom keep them over five years as breeders. -Usually sell the pelts during the fourth year. The system seems to work -out very satisfactory. - - -A Simple Fur Press. - -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 wall. Then -spread a piece of burlap over it large enough to hang over the edges a -little all the way around. Then lay on a piece of heavy brown paper -about the size of the burlap. Then lay on your furs in a flat, square -pile, the same shape as the top of the box. It is a good plan to brush -the hair all out straight and smooth as you lay them on. Lay them on -until you have them thick enough so that when pressed down they will be -as thick as you want your bale. Then lay on another piece of paper and -burlap about the size of the ones on the bottom. - -Then lay some short pieces of board crosswise under your lever. Then -nail a cleat to the wall the same distance from the floor that the top -of your bale will be when pressed. 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 bale, 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 way, folding -the corners in neatly. Now you can sew these edges together with some -good stout cord and release your lever, tie on your shipping tags and -you will have a neat secure bundle, all ready for shipment. The bundle -may be strengthened by putting a good stout cord around it lengthwise -and crosswise twice. This makes something to get hold of when handling -it.--L. Dewey. - - -Live Skunks Can be Shipped by Express. - -Skunk skins or live skunk will not be carried by parcels post. Live -skunk in the past have been transported by the express companies usually -at regular merchandise rates, and the occasional shipment of these -animals when well caged and protected did not arouse any great comment. - -Owing to damage incurred, on April 1, 1913, the express companies took -concerted action and passed a joint and official amendment with the -concurrence of the Interstate Commerce Commission, reading as follows: -"SKUNKS--Refuse." This made it impossible to ship live skunks by express -after that date. There was naturally a protest to the express companies -by skunk breeders, and by those accustomed to shipping live skunks. The -express companies finally agreed, however, to accept for shipment skunks -from which the oval glands had been removed. The ruling on skunks was -therefore with the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission -changed to read, effective May 20, 1913, as follows: "Skunks--Refuse, -unless scent sacs are removed." - -All the express companies concur in this ruling, even the Canadian -Companies. This means that shipments can be made between all points in -the United States or Canada. The removal of the scent sacs is easiest at -the age of five weeks, although it can be done at any time. It does not -seem to injure the skunks in any way or to interfere with their breeding. - -In shipping skunks from the United States to Canada there is no duty, -but, in shipping from Canada to the United States the duty is 20% of the -invoice price. - -At the time of shipment, write a letter to the fur company, that you are -shipping to, advising them of the shipment, and telling how you are -sending the furs, and just how many and what kind of furs you are -sending. If you follow these instructions, you will seldom have any -cause for complaint. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -Questions and Answers. - - -As we are asked certain questions so often we are pleased to give below -answers to those most frequently received: - -"=What is The Best Way For Me to Start Raising Skunks for Fur?=" Start -with a few and increase the number as you can care for them. Dig out or -capture a couple of litters this spring. Mate the males of one litter -with the females of the other litter. There are usually eight to ten -young in a litter. The old skunks mate about March 1st and the young are -born about May 1st. Never inbreed; that is, do not mate related animals. -Furs are becoming scarcer and prices are continually advancing. Those -who start early in this industry will make the most money. - -"=How Can I Breed For Black Skunks?=" Each year save your largest and -blackest skunks to breed from. Market the skins of all the rest when -prime. Be always on the lookout for blacker specimens, especially males. -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 young. - -"=What Should I Feed Skunks?=" Skunks in confinement will eat meat of -any kind, bread, milk, whether sweet or sour, many sweet fruits, green -corn and some other vegetables. Table leavings from hotels, waste from -slaughter-houses, dead farm stock or dead chickens are all eaten readily -and take the place of the beetles, grubs and mice which the skunk lives -on when free. Do not give decayed food. Supply fresh water regularly. - -"=I Live in Town; Can I keep Skunks Without The Scent Disturbing My -Neighbors?=" Yes. You can remove the scent sacs from your animals. This -is very easy to do and the skunks do not mind it at all. They do not -lose a meal. After the scent sacs are removed they can never scent -again. Your neighbors will not know you are raising skunks unless you -tell them. - -"=How Long Does it Take to Remove The Scent Sacs?=" With a little -practice you can remove the scent sacs and make a skunk forever -scentless in four or five minutes, or at the rate of 75 to 100 skunks -per day. - -"=Does Any of The Scent Fluid Escape When Removing The Scent Sacs?=" Not -with our method. With proper instruments you can remove the scent sacs -completely without spilling a drop of the scent fluid. - -"=How Can a Skunk Be Tamed?=" The skunk is naturally gentle and not much -afraid of people. 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 kitten. If it is handled frequently it will grow up -very tame, will come when called and will eat from the hand. - -"=Are The Scent Sacs The Same in Both Sexes?=" Yes, they are the same in -both sexes. They open into the rectum and are not related in any way to -the reproductive or urinary systems. The scent fluid is not the urine as -many people imagine. - -"=What Do You Pay For Black Skunks?=" We pay from $5 to $15 each for -grade AAA according to time of year, locality and size. The scent sacs -must be removed. We pay express charges on all skunks which we buy. If -you have any choice specimens you wish to sell write us full description -and we will gladly make you quotation. We want 500 skunk now. - -"=What is The Best Age For Removing The Scent Sacs?=" This work can be -done at any age easily unless the skunk is very fat. We strongly -recommend that you begin on young skunks in the spring, any time after -the eyes are open. The young skunks are easily weaned. They readily take -milk or bread and milk and do not need the mother. Do not let them run -with old skunk. - -"=What Kind of Fencing Do I Need For Skunks?=" Poultry netting 2 to 3 -feet in the ground and 6 feet above ground makes the cheapest fence. To -prevent climbing out make at the top an over-hang of netting 12 or 18 -inches wide or place a strip of tin about 18 inches wide on the inside -of the fence near the top to make it smooth and slippery. The netting -should be 1 1/2-inch mesh for the main yard (for adults) and 1-inch mesh -for the breeding pens. The best fencing is made from galvanized tin or -galvanized iron, in our opinion. Read chapter on "Enclosures." - -"=How do you grade Skunk?=" Personally I think the eastern assortment -best; which is as follows: - -"Eastern Assortment. The average size, ordinary color of fur, prime or -unprime pelt is considered, then graded to No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 -grade. On skunk for illustration: the short shoulder stripe is graded as -No. 1 when prime and full size, the object of this assortment is as few -grades as possible, prices quoted will not permit of as high quotations -as firms quoting Western Assortment, but will figure equally as much if -not more, in dollars and cents." - -The Western Assortment is as follows: - -"Western Assortment. Each pelt is graded to its individual value, first -color, then size, primeness, etc., as high as thirty grades are used; -skunk for instance is graded for black, short narrow and broad, then as -to size and shade and color, etc., each commanding a different value. A -firm using this assortment can quote most any price if they desire and -have their goods just as cheap, if not cheaper, than those using eastern -assortment only." - -"=Where can I sell skunk grease and what does it sell at?=" There is a -small demand for animal oils and grease, but the markets shift from -point to point. You will have to get in touch with these markets through -drug stores and doctors who know addresses of chemists and dealers in -drugs. There are many by-products of the trap line which trappers should -study, to see if they could not work them into commercial lines. Animal -oils are one of these by-products. I think that skunk oil, under a fancy -name, scented with a little musk or perfume, would find ready sale for -chapped hands, sunburn, etc. These oils are usually wasted now. There -is an opening for a dealer in animal oils if he knows the users. - -"=When is the best time to trap Skunk?=" In cold weather, when -fur-bearers den up and hibernate, trappers smoke out more animals in one -day than they can take in traps in a month; besides, they get prime fur -worth the most money. Still we do not advocate this method. They should -be captured alive for breeding purposes. - -"=What do you consider a good scent for skunk?=" Anise oil, as a rule, -is best for skunks. Apples are good skunk bait and meats also are good. - -"=Can you tell me the best method of removing skunks from their dens?=" -It depends on the den. Dig 'em outs, who use shovels, or dynamite, or -crowbars, destroy the dens. There are bellows and smoke blowers for -smoking out the occupants of dens, and the makers would tell you the -best ways. However, as a sporting and financial proposition, you would -better get your skunks by straight trapping or snaring, instead of -killing off whole families as you would do raiding dens. When you track -a skunk to its hole, use the smoker, but don't hog the fur. Leave -breeding stock for another year. - -"=Is it advisable to flesh and scrape skunk hides down to white skin -before hanging up to dry? Can you tell me why dealers do not want fur -hides salted, say, salted slightly, and if any, what detriment it is to -them?=" The clean skin is best. All fat and flesh should be removed, -care being taken not to break into the skin, nor should the skin be -"worked" or drawn too much, in the process. Of course, skins may be -cleaned on the boards. The salt dries the skin and hardens it, making it -brittle and likely to crack. Its action on the skin is not neutralized, -as in the tanning processes by other chemicals. Even a little salt -changes the skin, absorbing the moisture and changing the chemical -constituents of the hide. The best way to preserve fur skins--salt is -simply to prevent decay--is to clean the skins carefully and stretch on -frames or boards, and hang them in a cool, dry, sheltered place where -rodents and insects cannot get them. Of course, pelts should not be left -too long on the stretchers--a few days--and too much care cannot be -taken of them. - -"=Does it spoil fur keeping it through the summer if kept moth proof and -in a cool place?=" Not if it is properly dried and protected from moths. -Some of my friends keep their late catches of fur in perfectly tight -paper bags, with tobacco, holding them over for the early winter or -before-the-London-sales prices. A big slump in the fur market is often -met this way on certain kinds of fur by trappers, but the fur must be -properly dried and carefully stored away from insects, mice, etc. - -"=Will it do to breed to the same male continually?=" We do not advise -it. Young stock from foreign pens should be constantly added to improve -the grade. In breeding should be avoided. - -"=How can live Skunks be shipped?=" If the scent sacs have been removed -you can ship a skunk by express in a box with wire netting over the -opening. If the distance is great, supply plenty of dog biscuit or dry -bread and a dish for milk. Mark on box, "Please give milk and water." If -the weather is cold make a nest of straw in one end of box. - -"=Can I make any money by removing the scent sacs from Skunks?=" Yes, -you should be able to sell the first skunk you operate on, even if -striped, for at least $5 to someone who would like it as a pet or as a -curiosity. A tame skunk will draw big crowds when placed in a store -window for advertising purposes. Amusement Parks are glad to get them. -Money can be made by selling tame skunks or by operating for other -people. - -"=What diseases are common to the skunk?=" They are practically a -diseaseless animal. True they are troubled with lice when kept too -closely confined and fed too much spoiled meat. Any common poultry -powder which will destroy poultry lice will destroy skunk lice. Change -dens and allow the animal to burrow in gravelly earth. Meat diet -sometimes causes scurvy. This can be avoided by feeding a variety of -foods. - -"=How do you prevent infection after removing the scent sac?=" First -wash the parts with a weak carbolic solution taking care not to allow -the solution to enter the rectum, or better still paint the glands with -iodine before operating. Rub over the incision a composition of -turpentine and lard. This will repel flies. - -"=What do you do with the young after weaning?=" We allow the female to -range, and also the young, but in separate pens. Do not make the mistake -of allowing the young ones to range with aged males until they are able -to protect themselves from injury. - - - - -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 sac, that we -have consented to make a selection. - -The proper instruments are as follows: - - 1 nickel plated scalpel (knife). - 1 nickel plated tenaculum (hook). - 1 nickel plated sound probe (probe). - 1 pair nickel plated special extracting forceps. - 1 pair nickel plated automatic clamping forceps. - 2 pair goggles (worn only by beginners as safeguard - against scent fluid unexpectedly entering - the eyes). - -These tools are of a high grade of steel and nickel plated to guard -against rust. A very handy and desirable set of instruments. One set (as -above) packed securely in box, sent by prepaid parcels post for only -$3.00. The most satisfactory set of instruments on the market. Your -order solicited. - -=References: Exchange Bank of Spencer.= - -THE LAYMON FUR FARM CO. -SPENCER INDIANA - - - - - [Illustration: PEN OF WHITE RUNNERS AS BRED AND RAISED BY JOHN F. - CRANE, SPENCER, INDIANA. - - If you want to start right, with foundation stock, or eggs from as - good as there is in the country, write me--same prices at all times - for stock and eggs--134 acres devoted to raising poultry, fruit and - ponies--Breeder of White Indian Runners, Fawn and White Runners-- - White Wyandottes and Barred Rocks. Write me. - - JOHN F. CRANE, Box A1, SPENCER, IND.] - - - - -WANTED - -500 Live Skunk - -We are in the market for 500 AAA skunk, males and females for breeding -purposes. We pay as high as $15.00 for altered, unmaimed stars. Write us -what you have. - -We also handle skunk pelts, Eastern grading, and highest prices paid for -prime stock. Let your dealer quote, then you will understand how much -better we can do for you. - -Write first. We pay express charges. -Reference: Exchange Bank of Spencer. - - -The Laymon Fur Farm Co. -SPENCER INDIANA - - - - -What a big Money King says about -OPPORTUNITY - -"It isn't the want of opportunities, nowadays, for making a man wealthy, -but it is his =recognizing= an opportunity when he meets it in the -middle of the road in the middle of the day." - -He is right. Paste =that= fact on your memory now. I know from -experience. - -And if you are a business or professional man or woman, or working on a -salary and desire to increase your earning power with the least outlay -of capital and with the least effort, look this skunk proposition -squarely in the face. - -And look at it from the viewpoint of good common business sense. It is a -clean, legitimate proposition--a real money-making opportunity right "in -the middle of the road in the middle of the day." - -Why Not Start -a Skunk Farm? - -WE WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP YOU - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Fur Farming For Profit, by Hermon Basil Laymon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FUR FARMING FOR PROFIT *** - -***** This file should be named 42888.txt or 42888.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/8/8/42888/ - -Produced by Melissa McDaniel and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at - www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 -North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email -contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the -Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |