OBJECTS OF BREEDING WILD MAMMALS 151 



fond of the water, are expert swimmers and divers and get much of 

 their food from streams and lakes in the form of fish, frogs, and Crus- 

 tacea. They also climb trees and are at home in the forest. 



There are numerous instances on record of "mink farms," or 

 "minkeries," that have proved successful, but the low price of mink 

 fur for many years has discouraged the industry. A few years ago 

 mink skins sold at $1 to $2, but they are now quoted at $5 to $8. As 

 other choice furs decrease in abundance there seems every probability 

 that mink fur will hereafter increase rather than decrease in value. 



With no other species is success in fur raising so simple and well 

 tested. The value of mink fur varies greatly with different parts of the 

 country, being least in the southern sections and greatest in the north- 

 eastern States and eastern Canada. 



RULES FOR HANDLING FUR ANIMALS 



A few general rules apply equally well to all species. 



At first the animals should not be taken away from their native 

 climatic conditions, at least not from their natural life zone. As a 

 general rule the colder the climate the better the fur, and healthier 

 the animals. This does not mean that all the fur raising should be in 

 the far north. Mountain areas, extending south even into many of the 

 Southern states, offer unusual advantages in the close proximity of 

 sections with warm and cold climates. 



A thorough knowledge of the native food and breeding habits of 

 a species should be made the basis of care in captivity. This is of the 

 greatest importance at the start, though later on the animals may be 

 able to adapt themselves to greatly modified conditions. 



Sufficient room is necessary for the animals to keep themselves 

 clean and obtain exercise and healthy occupation. Quiet and freedom 

 from excitement and nervous strain are essential. Also constant 

 familiarity and association with one or more suitable keepers. 



CONCLUSION 



The committee believe (1) That, any experiments to be of value 

 must be continuous for sufficient length of time to establish permanent 

 and improved breeds of fur-bearing animals; (2) That, under proper 

 management such experiments should result in developing anjndustry 

 of great practical value to the people of North America; (3) That, to 

 insure success those in charge of the experiments must be thoroughly 

 familiar with the habits of wild animals, and the keepers, or those in 

 daily intercourse with the animals, must have the rare quality of 

 sympathetic understanding of animal natures. 



