g 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. All small and
weak animals and those showing considerable white fur, especially males
should be killed off while the fur is in good condition. 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.

The animals should never be allowed to become frightened by the
intrusion of dogs into the enclosure--dogs should be kept away at all
times.

The skunk raiser must watch closely at all times to see that the
enclosure fences are in good shape so that the animals do not escape. If
they are found digging holes near the fence, these holes should be
filled up so as to discourage the workers.

Fleas and other parasites are likely to bother the animals and they
should have plenty of room so that they can change dens when the old
habitations become infested with vermin.

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 VII.

MINK RAISING.

There is only one species of mink found in North America, altho there
are a number of varieties differing in size, color and quality of fur.
Thus we find in Northern Maine and New Brunswick a very small variety
having a fine silky fur of a very dark shade; farther west and south a
somewhat larger variety, paler in color, and thruout the Mississippi
valley and parts of the south, also parts of Western Canada, a very
large mink is found, but running quite pale, and the fur somewhat
coarser than the northeastern varieties.

Again, on parts of the Pacific Coast, a very small and poorer quality
are found, and the mink from the lower Yukon River of Alaska are said to
be of very poor quality. One or more varieties are found in