150 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



few beaver remain scattered here and there over a large part of the 

 United States and Canada, probably enough, could they be adequately 

 protected, to restock most of the streams. In many sections they are 

 protected locally and are becoming abimdant again. 



If unmolested for a few years, they lose their fear of man, work 

 on their dams and houses in the day time and become comparatively 

 tame. With such an animal, further domestication seems unnecessary. 

 Given a suitable pond or stream they find abimdance of food and are 

 able to care for themselves in every way. They can be fenced ia as- 

 readily as a flock of sheep and their enemies, except man, can be fenced 

 out. Thousands of miles of forest, marsh and stream, fit for no other 

 purpose are lying idle and could be used to advantage as beaver farms. 



Prime beaver skins from the northern United States and Canada 

 are quoted in the January, 1908, Fur Trade Review at $5 to $8. 



By selecting breeding stock from the region where the fur is the- 

 best and keeping only the choice individuals for breeding purposes, it 

 would doubtless be possible to steadily improve the standard and value- 

 of the beaver fur. 



MARTEN 



The marten or American sable is a forest animal of the Boreal 

 zone. It comes into the United States along the Northern border and 

 extends south in mountainous sections as far as New York, New Mex- 

 ico, and central California. It is a beautiful, soft-furred little animal 

 the size of a mink, but of much brighter appearance. It generally 

 inhabits coniferous forests, is an expert climber, but avoids the water.. 

 Its food is mainly squirrels, rabbits, mice, birds, and such small game. 

 In the wild state it has the savage disposition of its family, but in 

 captivity is quiet and gentle. 



The most valuable marten skins come from Labrador and eastern, 

 Canada and are variously quoted at $20 to $40. 



MINK 



The mink is one of the most widely distributed fur-bearers of 

 North America and one of the few species able to hold its own against 

 persistent trapping. It is almost as common to-day in the thickly set- 

 tled sections of the country as in the most remote wilderness. A half- 

 hour's run on a bicycle to the creeks in the suburbs of Washington will 

 enable one to find mink tracks. 



Wild mink when taken young become perfectly tame and are gentl& 

 and affectionate pets. They breed readily in captivity, are hardy, 

 easily enclosed and seem not to worry over confinement. They are- 



