CULTURE OF FUR-BEARERS = 259 
the results. Such establishments are known 
as ‘‘minkeries,’? and have been described in 
many publications. 
It frequently happens that a pair of young 
minks are caught; or a full-grown male and 
one or more females may be bought from deal- 
ers who advertise their wares in journals de- 
voted to sport or to trapping. One male will 
suffice for five or six females. The breeding 
season is February, when the females all come 
into heat, and for three or four weeks the male 
should be allowed to associate with them freely. 
Their behavior will indicate when they no 
longer need his attentions. The period of 
gestation is 42 days, so that births will occur 
early in April. They number five or six, as a 
rule, sometimes ten, are blind, almost naked, 
and remain hidden in the nest for five or six 
weeks, when they begin to come out; but they 
stay with the.mother, and are the object of her 
tender solicitude and brave defense until the 
end of the summer. If taken in hand when 
they first appear they will become as tame, 
gentle and playful as kittens, provided they are 
kept entirely away from the mother. Res- 
