164 FERRET FACTS AND FANCIES. 



Although the heaviest demand and most sales 

 are made during the months of October and No- 

 vember, prices in a general way, at least, are 

 known by August. This is determined by num- 

 ber raised as each ranch or colony ^^keeps tab" 

 to a certain extent on the other fellow by corre- 

 spondence and otherwise to learn number raised, 

 and sizing up demand from various parts of the 

 country. The party who raises large numbers 

 generally begins selling in August to smaller 

 dealers, bird stores and other sources at about 

 |2.00 each or $24.00 a dozen and advances values 

 about 50 cents a head per month. Thus if the 

 price is f2.00 a head in August it will be |2.50 in 

 September, |3.00 in October, |3.50 in November, 

 |4.00 in December. Of course conditions govern 

 the price to some extent and they will vary from 

 figures given, yet they give a fair illustration of 

 values for years immediately prior to 1915. 



The advance from August is to pay for the 

 trouble and expense of feeding. Ferrets born 

 last of April and early in May are full grown by 

 August as they attain their growth in about 90 

 days when properly cared for. It is a good idea 

 for a prospective user to buy early so as to get 

 his ferret or ferrets somewhat familiar with him. 



Weight of a large male ferret is seldom as 

 much as two pounds. Females are smaller by 



