78 ANIMAL COMPETITORS 



muskrats, but should only be employed in ex- 

 ceptional circumstances. The most valuable 

 works open to their attacks should be con- 

 structed of or faced with rubble or concrete to 

 a proper depth. 



Muskrats worth far more than the damage 

 they do. As a matter of fact the harm done by 

 muskrats is, on the whole, far outbalanced by 

 their value in fur, so that in Canada, and in 

 many states of the Union, the animal is pro- 

 tected during a close season (April to Novem- 

 ber), when its young are being nurtured and 

 the fur is not " prime," i. e., in good condition 

 for market. These states are Delaware, Illi- 

 nois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland (coast counties), 

 Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, 

 North Carolina (coast counties), South Dakota, 

 Virginia (coast counties) and Wisconsin. This 

 protection, however, ends too early in the fall. 

 The open season should not begin in the United 

 States before December 15, and should close by 

 March 15 ; in Canada it may be slightly pro- 

 longed. 



The muskrat supplies one of the most useful 

 and dependable sources of fur for clothing, and 



