18 FERRET FACTS AND FANCIES. 



The usual plan, however, is to let the ferret 

 have free range of rabbit holes unmuzzled, the 

 rabbits being shot as they bolt. Attention to 

 warmth and cleanliness is essential to the health 

 of ferrets. They are capable only of partial 

 domestication, acquiring a kind of familiarity 

 with man and submitting with perfect quietness 

 to his handling, but apparently never forming 

 any very decided attachment, and they never 

 cease to be dangerous if not carefully watched, 

 especially where infants are within their reach. 

 If allowed any measure of freedom, they are 

 ready to attack poultry and kill far more than 

 they can devour, merely sucking the blood. They 

 generally breed twice a year, each brood consist- 

 ing of six to nine. The female sometimes de- 

 vours the young ones, in which case another 

 brood is speedily produced. 



It has been domesticated and raised in con- 

 finement a great many years. It is a favorite 

 animal among the English farmers, where a few 

 are kept and raised on nearly ever}^ farm for the 

 purpose of keeping the rats away. This custom 

 has been practiced in England for a good many 

 years and many farmers of today do not consider 

 their farm properly equipped without a stock of 

 ferrets. Since being brought to this country, 

 their standard has been raised a great deal 



