Ferrets Management. 



193 



as many as fifty are retained, while occasionally one only 

 or a couple may suffice for the requirements of those who " go 

 out ferreting." For any number up to six, or thereabout, 

 a hutch of some kind is necessary ; and, although we are no 

 friend of those who aver that u any sort of box will do/' we 

 are no less adverse to the many complicated descriptions 

 of hutches often recommended. Those ferret boxes are too 

 dark, too warm, and too small, while we may also add that 

 they are invariably too seldom cleaned out. After a good 



FIG. 11. FEEKET HUTCH. 



deal of experience and attention, we have come to the 

 conclusion that one or a series of boxes of the description 

 to be presently given cannot be improved upon for, say, 

 from one to twelve ferrets. We have tried many ways to 

 get rid of damp and smell caused by the animals' excrement; 

 but we find that nothing is preferable to regular and thorough 

 cleaning out. It may be very well to put wire or perforated 

 zinc beneath a hole cut in the bottom of the box ; but the 

 animals are not often considerate enough to catch the idea. 

 Each hutch (vide Fig. u) must measure 3ft. long, i8in. 



