Practical Game Preserving. 



Ferrets usually breed twice a year, but we have known 

 them do so three times and show a disposition to multiply 

 their species even more often. The Jills come in heat 

 generally about April, and by the month of September the 

 young are ready to work. If bred later in the year, they 

 are only half-size by the time when most wanted, and are 

 in every way more trouble than they are worth. .The 

 period of gestation is about six weeks, and the jill may 

 be worked up to within about a fortnight of her time if 

 necessary, and, in any case, should be .allowed exercise 

 and plenty of good food. Nothing is more prejudicial 

 than starving the dam during gestation, as it weakens her, 

 and exerts an evil influence on her progeny. When five 

 weeks of her time are up, she should be placed in a clean, 

 warm box alone ; plenty of clean, sweet litter oat straw 

 is far preferable must be given, and the sleeping compart- 

 ment not opened for at least three weeks, when, while the 

 dam is feeding, an investigation of the young may be made, 

 the number and quality ascertained, and a fresh supply 

 of litter provided. Meanwhile, there need be no cessation 

 of the bi-weekly cleaning out of the feeding compartment ; 

 but this should be done immediately the jill has finished 

 feeding in the morning, when as soon as she enters the nest 

 the aperture in the division must be closed. When ferrets 

 have young, they must be fed twice a day, the morning 

 feed to consist of warm bread and milk, and a portion of 

 flesh of some sort for instance, a rabbit's liver. When 

 the dam has re-entered her nest and is quiet, the remains 

 of the meal should be removed, and a small tin of milk put 

 jn, in case she might want anything before the evening 



