File:Fur-farming in Canada (1914) (14740808236).jpg

Identifier: furfarmingincana00cana (find matches)
Title: Fur-farming in Canada
Year: 1914 (1910s)
Authors: Canada. Commission of Conservation. Committee on Fisheries, Game and Fur-bearing Animals Jones, J. Walter
Subjects: Fur-bearing animals
Publisher: Ottawa, The Mortimer Co.
Contributing Library: NCSU Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: NCSU Libraries

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unk-ranches were received. Theincrease in all cases examined was an average of five to six young foreach female kept. One male was kept for each half dozen females. The question always asked when skunk-farming is mentioned, isconcerning the difficulty of conducting such a business in any reputableneighbourhood on account of scenting. Contrary to popular expecta-tion the skunk appears to be least objectionable of all ranched animals,the fox being the most objectionable. One might pass alongside ahundred skunks and not observe any odour. They can be easilyhandled as the accompanying photograph shows. Concerning thepractice of cutting into the scent glands, Mr. Ernest Thompson Setonsays: Skunks are commonly deodorized or disarmed when from oneto two months old, and the operation consists of cutting out entirelythe two scent glands. An expert can disarm twenty skunks in anhour.* Skunks are graded according to the proportion of white hair on the *Letter from Mr. E. T. Seton, April 9, 1914.
Text Appearing After Image:
•IS : to I ^ I 3 4; ft* w :S CO .^ & ^ S5 : s I w ^ t) 15, S M 1§ I w § fa ^2 O 2^ 1^ I Oh 2a .■■V S5 I H s 5i S*111 i1 g.a.a?.a. SKUNK 105 skin, as: No. 1 with no stripes or very short ones; No. 2, with morewhite hair, and No. 3 when the white hair extends the full length ofthe body. The white part is cut off the pelts and only the black furis used so that there is a larger area of good fur on No. 1 pelts than onthe whiter ones. It is probable that the rapid advance in price of skunk in 1912and 1913 will give an impetus to the skunk-raising industry. If thepresent high prices—$8.00 to $12.00 for finest black northern—con-tinue, there is a large profit to be made in skunk-farming. Skunks can be kept in captivity under conditions similar to thoserecommended for mink. On account, however, of the lower value ofthe pelts and the less vicious and even harmless nature of the animal,it is better to allow them a large run together. The males will notinjure the females, but the

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