38 FUR FARMING. 



up as well as that of the Foxes. The best animals should 

 always be kept for breeding purposes. The fur farmer who 

 kills off his finest specimens to compete for the prizes of- 

 fered for the finest skins makes a fatal mistake. It is the 

 man who always breeds up to the best who has the finest 

 average skins to market. 



As Skunks are found in all parts of the United States, 

 Skunk farms can be operated successfully anywhere that 

 the climate is cold enough in winter to cause the growth 

 of thick soft fur, but up to the present time this industry 

 has been largely confined to Ohio and Pennsylvania. A. 

 R. Harding in his book 011 Fur Farming, in writing about 

 enclosures, says : 



' * There should be a spring on, or a small stream crossing 

 the ground to be inclosed, but at the same time the ground 

 must not be wet ; in fact, it should be of rather dry nature 

 so that there will not be too much dampness in the dens. 

 There should be banks of earth for the animals to den in, 

 and the ground should have a gradual slope so that it will 

 drain readily. If it is of a sandy nature it will be all the 

 better. Some who have tried Skunk farming have located 

 the yards on the shore of a small lake or pond and have 

 included a portion of the pond in the enclosure. This is 

 a good idea and it will not be necessary to extend the 

 fence very deep into the water, as the Skunk is not a 

 water animal and will not dive under; where the fence 

 crosses a stream of running water however the fence 

 should reach to the bed of the stream as the water will 

 fall considerably during dry weather." 



"The enclosures should be large. When the animals 

 are enclosed in small yards or pens they become infested 

 with fleas, ticks, etc., and they do not thrive. Small 

 enclosures will answ r er for a short time, but as soon as 

 possible the Skunks should be placed in a large roomy yard. 

 For fencing material galvanized wire netting of one-inch 

 mesh is advised, as the young animals will escape through 

 a two-inch mesh. The fence should be seven feet in height. 

 Under ordinary conditions the Skunk will not escape over 

 a four-foot fence, but there is danger in winter from drift- 

 ing snow, and dogs and other animals must be kept out 

 at all times, and therefore the fence should be of a height 

 mentioned and it must be turned in at the top or a sheet 



