CULTURE OF FUR-BEARERS 259 



the results. Such establishments are known 

 as "minkeries," and have been described in 

 many publications. 



It frequently happens that a pair of young 

 minks are caught; or a full-grown male and 

 one or more females may be bought from deal- 

 ers who advertise their wares in journals de- 

 voted to sport or to trapping. One male will 

 suffice for five or six females. The breeding 

 season is February, when the females all come 

 into heat, and for three or four weeks the male 

 should be allowed to associate with them freely. 

 Their behavior will indicate when they no 

 longer need his attentions. The period of 

 gestation is 42 days, so that births will occur 

 early in April. They number five or six, as a 

 rule, sometimes ten, are blind, almost naked, 

 and remain hidden in the nest for five or six 

 weeks, when they begin to come out; but they 

 stay with the mother, and are the object of her 

 tender solicitude and brave defense until the 

 end of the summer. If taken in hand when 

 they first appear they will become as tame, 

 gentle and playful as kittens, provided they are 

 kept entirely away from the mother. Res- 



