THE MUSKRAT 103 



greatly diminished. The total output of 1905, as indicated by Lon- 

 don sales of 5,000,000 skins in 1906, was over 7,000,000. The sale 

 of these was accompanied by an advance of 40 per cent in prices. 

 The sales for 1907 showed a further advance of about 25 per cent, 

 but a falling off in the offerings of fully 1,500,000 skins. The 

 London sales for 1908 and 1909 showed still further rise in prices, 

 which were again advanced in the January and March sales of 

 1910." (l. c, 24-26.) 



The flesh of the muskrat has been used widely as food, particu- 

 larly by the Indians and by professional hunters and trappers; 

 while of recent years persons of refined tastes have eaten the flesh, 

 although with considerable diversity of opinion as to its flavor. The 

 flesh is fine-grained and dark red in color; but skill and care are 

 required in skinning the animal that the hair does not come in con- 

 tact with the flesh, and that the musk glands come away from the 

 flesh without tearing. The following recipe for cooking muskrat 

 is copied from Forest and Stream: "Soak the carcass over night in 

 cold water or let it freeze in the open air. Cut in pieces ready to 

 serve and place in a pot with a few slices of salt pork. Add water 

 enough nearly to cover the meat and stew slovrly until about dry 

 — say, for an hour and a half. Pepper and salt to taste while 

 cooking." (1898, 368.) The musky odor permeates the flesh in 

 suimner, at which season it would scarcely ]>e fit for food. 



Muskrats are easily trapped and in winter and early spring 

 readily take such baits as carrots^ sweet apples, parsnips, and tur- 

 nips. Usually the ordinary No. 1 steel trap is used. Sometimes 

 the trap is sunk in the trail and embedded partly in the mud and 

 saiid in shallow water. At other times it is set at the opening of 

 the burrow into a bank, in whieli case bait is not required. Loeal 

 conditions and the ingenuity of the trapper play a considerable part 

 in successful trapping. Various methods and details of trapping 

 may be found in Farmers' Bulletin No. 396 of the U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. 



Wliile the muskrat does cause some damages in a few places, its 

 destiiictive qualities in this state are scarcely sufficient to warrant 

 drastic control measures. In not many places in Iowa are dams or 

 dikes employed to hold back large quantitie.i of water, while in 

 marshy localities the good which the animals do outweighs the 

 damage. Practically the only incentive to trapping is the value of 

 the skins; and since their value has. of late years, increased ma- 



