PROFIT FROM THE MUSKRAT 89 
a fire or in the sun, and not exposed to rain. 
Formerly many of these skins were. dressed at 
home, but the process is complicated and diffi- 
cult. . 
Cultivation of muskrats. In view of the real 
value, continuous demand, growing difficulty of 
obtaining prime pelts and consequent steady 
enhancement of price, it has occurred to many 
persons that the rearing of muskrats in pro- 
tected marshes and under favoring conditions 
would be profitable. Some of the experiments 
already tried in this direction have succeeded 
well, but they are in reality little more than a 
codperative protection of certain extensive 
haunts against over-trapping as well as 
against poaching. Large tracts of marshes at 
the western end of Lake Erie, controlled by 
sporting clubs, are thus governed and yield a 
substantial revenue under wise management. 
In this way a new value has been given to 
extensive areas of marsh, liable to tidal over- 
flow, along the western margin of Chesapeake 
Bay, where landowners now lease the trapping 
privilege, and trappers and owners unite to 
protect the marshes from poaching. The owner 
