992 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



Mating takes place in March (varying with latitude) and 

 gestation is beheved to last about 6 weeks. Thus most of the 

 young will be born about the first of May. The mother must 

 not be interfered with at this time, and handling of the young 

 is likely to make her destroy them. 



When about two months old they begin to come out of the 

 nest and eat with the mother, but when four months old they 

 are nearly full grown and may now be introduced to the main 

 run. 



As winter approaches their food should be increased; the 

 colder the weather the better the fur they produce. The fur 

 is best about or soon after Christmas, and should then be 

 marketed. 



THE Most persons ask at once, but what about the Skunk's 



GUN smeller ? All experience goes to show that the animal never 

 uses its musk except in the extremity of self-defence, and may 

 live a long life in captivity without ever becoming offensive. 



ING 



M.MIKET- 'Marketing' is the word that covers the unhappy process 



of killing the beautiful fur-bearer for its pelt. To kill a Skunk 

 the wrong way is to court disaster. The merciful way is by a 

 lethal chamber with illuminating gas or by drowning. The 

 trapper's method, mentioned in the article on the Skunks, is 

 possible, but not one that any tender-hearted person is likely 

 to try on his hand-raised Skunks. 



The oil that is rendered out of the fat is said to be of high 

 market value on account of its medicinal properties. It is 

 certainly an excellent lubricant. 



The bodies, if used to feed the breeding stock, should 

 be thoroughly boiled with vegetable food or some other 

 meats. 



GENERAL Ncvcr kcep more than so or 60 Skunks to the acre, other- 



wise you get crowding, ground-poisonmg, and deadly disease. 

 The soil in the breeding dens should be turned or other- 

 wise refreshed every few weeks. 



