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.

ENCLOSURES.--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. 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 the 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.

The enclosures should be large. When the animals are inclosed in small
yards or pens they become infested with fleas, ticks, etc., and they do
not do well. Such small enclosures will answer for a short time but as
soon as possible they should be placed in a large roomy yard. For
fencing material, galvanized wire netting of one-inch mesh is advised,
as the young animals will escape through a two-inch mesh. The 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.

[Illustration: Corner of an Ohio Skunk Farm.]

The interior of the enclosure should be divided into compartments, using
the same material for the fences but th