TRAPPING. 



middle of September, when trapping is out of the question, as furs 

 are worthless. The most trapping is done late in the fall and early 

 in the spring. The reason why furs become worthless in summer 

 is, that all fur-bearing animals shed their coats, or at least lose the 

 finest and thickest part of their fur as warm weather approaches, 

 and have a new growth of it in the fall to protect them in winter. 

 This whole process is indicated in the case of the musk-rat, and 

 some other animals, by the color of the inside part of the skin. 

 As summer approaches, it becomes brown and dark. That is a sign 

 that the best fur is gone. Afterward it grows light-colored, and in 

 winter when the fur is in the best condition, it is altogether white. 

 When the pelt is white, it is called prime by fur-dealers. The 

 fur is then glossy, thick, and of the richest color, and the tails of 

 such animals as the mink, marten and fisher, are full and liBavy. 

 Beavers and musk-rats are not thoroughly prime till about the 

 middle of winter. Other animals are prime about the first of No- 

 vember. There is probably some variation with the latitude, of the 

 exact period at which furs become prime, the more northern being 

 a little in advance. Trappers are liable to begin trapping too early 

 in the season, consequently much poor fur is caught, which must 

 be sold at low prices, and is unprofitable to the trapper, the fur- 

 buyer, and the manufacturer." 



Directions for Trapping and Snaring. 



THE FOX. — There are several methods of catching tliis cau- 

 tious animal. The trap should be concealed in a bed of sawdust, 

 leaves or chaff, taking care that it is well smeared with blood or 

 bees-wax. Fasten the trap to a clog so that the fox when caught 

 can move about. To make the allurement doubly sure, obtain from 

 the female of the dog, fox or wolf, the matrix, in the season of 

 coition, and preserve it in alcohol, tightly corked. Leave a small 

 portion of it on something near the trap; also put some on your 

 boots when visiting your traps. Make a trail in different directions 

 encircling the trap. A piece of raw flesh may also be dragged about. 

 Be sure and leave everything around the trap and vicinity as natural 

 as possible. Another good plan is to get some earth from a kennel 

 where a tame fox is kept, and set the trap in it. 



