Mink 899 



Two light meals, morning and night, or one substantial 

 meal, late in the day, is sufficient; and at all times an abun- 

 dance of clean water. 



Mink may be bought either from advertising dealers or stock- 

 through advertisements in the country newspapers. They 

 bring from $i to ^lo each, according to size, age, and beauty. 

 One male to half a dozen females is a usual allowance. 



The best come from Labrador, the poorest from the 

 Mississippi and the South-west. 



It has proved far the best to keep the old ones apart, gen- 

 One Mink, one cage, should be the rule for them; except, of man- 

 course, in February — the breeding season — during which ^e^t 

 month the male may be allowed to run with the half-dozen 

 females, all in one large pen. They should be watched, how- 

 ever, and quarrellers removed at once. Females that are 

 known to have been served may be removed, at least for a few 

 days; after which their behaviour, on again meeting the male, 

 will show whether they have need for further attention. 



As a rule, all females come in heat within two weeks. By 

 March 7 the season is over and the animals should be returned 

 each to its own cage. Non-breeders that are sure not to quarrel 

 may be left together in one cage. 



After six weeks' gestation the young are born; they num- 

 ber 2 to 6. They are blind and helpless for some weeks. 

 When about six weeks old, usually near June i, they begin 

 to come out of the nest and take an active interest in life, fol- 

 lowing the mother and eating her food. 



They are now easily tamed, gentle, and playful. 



By August, they are weaned and all may be taken from 

 the mother and turned loose in the main run. The more they 

 are gentled by handling the better. 



Their fur is ready for marketing at Christmas, is good any 

 time from November to March; but Mink fur is greatly im- 

 proved by keeping the animal till two years old, and, of course, 

 by castrating the male. 



