CHAPTER XI 



MINK 



Mink is one of the most valuable and one of the most sought after 

 of American furs. They are found in nearly every state in the Union, 

 the finer skins coming from Maine and the northern part of New 

 York. The mink found in these sections are small in size but are 

 very fine in quality, the fur being rich and silky, and very dark, 

 with a pronounced black stripe down the center of the back. The 

 largest mink are found in Minnesota and the Dakotas, the Minnesota 

 mink being especially fine in quality. Louisiana is probably the 

 largest mink producing state in the Union, and the mink from this 

 state known as "French Settlement Mink" are very good for color 

 and quality, considering the fact that they are found in an extreme 

 Southern climate. Mink is not only beautiful, but it is also a 

 fine wearing fur, and a fine mink coat is second only to Russian or 

 Hudson Bay Sable. The mink is very quick and active and is 

 difficult to trap; and trappers are indeed proud when they successfully 

 trap a fine mink pelt. Mink follow the streams, and feed along the 

 banks of creeks, lakes, and ponds. They are killers and it is believed 

 that they often kill just for the pleasure of it. They are more diffi- 

 cult to raise than the skunk, but they can be made very profitable 

 and it is to be hoped that many more will take up the raising of mink 

 for profit and try to make it a successful industry. There is not much 

 practical information at hand on the subject for the reason that it 

 is an undeveloped industry and has been attempted by comparatively 

 few men. Some of these have been very successful, others have 

 become discouraged and quit. Those who have become successful 

 are reticent and not inclined to give information on the subject, 

 others are only too glad to help in any way in order that others may 

 start that they will have more customers for their live stock. 

 There is a demand for live mink for breeding purposes and there 

 will no doubt be more money in raising mink for this purpose than 

 for their pelts, as good prices can be obtained for live pairs. Live 

 mink sell as high as fifty dollars per pair, and it is claimed by some 

 men that the business of mink farming is more profitable than any 

 other kind of fur farming, with the possible exception of Silver 



