88 ANIMAL COMPETITORS: 
ponds are ice-bound, the animals that escape the spear 
often perish after their houses are destroyed.”’ 
Trapping was at one time a popular calling 
in the United States; but fur-bearing animals 
have so decreased in numbers that nowadays 
few persons earn a livelihood by trapping alone. 
A large part of the supply of muskrat fur is 
taken by boys, who adopt this method of earn- 
ing a little extra spending money. They often 
attend school, and look after the traps in the 
morning and evening. 
Preparation of the pelt. Muskrat skins in- 
tended for market should be ‘‘cased,’’ not 
opened along the belly. In skinning begin at 
the heel and slit up the middle of one hind 
leg to the tail, around it, and then down the 
other leg to the heel. The skin may then be 
easily (but gently) turned back over the body, 
leaving the fur side inward. Next, cut closely 
and cautiously around ears, nose and lips, and 
scrape off adhering bits of flesh. The skin, 
inside out, is then stretched over a thin board 
shaped like a rifle-cartridge, and a tack or two 
is inserted to keep it in position until dry,— 
the drying should be in the open air, not before 
