900 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



Keep the best always for breeding. Do not use exception- 

 ally fierce individuals for breeders. A fast day once in two 

 weeks is a good thing for fat animals. 



Some breeders clip off the nail and first joint of the two 

 middle toes on each front foot; this prevents the Mink climb- 

 ing or digging. It is, however, a disfigurement as well as a 

 cruelty. 



The cages must be kept clean and the earth in the runs 

 overturned or refreshed once a week. 



These animals are exceedingly clean and cause no smell, 

 except, perhaps, when mortally hurt. They are easy to keep, 

 need but little space and food, and breed regularly. 



When the fur is down to Skunk prices — that is, $i to $3 

 a skin — there is no money in breeding Mink. At present the 

 market is up, prime dark skins being $4 to ^8; exceptionally 

 fine dark skins have gone as high as $15 and ^18. At these 

 prices there is reasonably good money in the business; more 

 especially if the Minkery is on a small scale and carried on in 

 conjunction with a hen-yard or a squabbery, whose by-product 

 will almost feed the fur-bearer. 



