IN AUDUBON'S LABRADOR 



foxes and various other fur-bearing animals 

 without so much initial expense and without 

 the risk of so much loss. Experiments in mink- 

 raising have recently been made by the Bio- 

 logical Survey of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, and their success for com- 

 mercial purposes is reported. The animal is 

 polygamous and breeds rapidly at the age of 

 one year, and its fur is marketable at a year 

 and a half. It can be fed the same food as is 

 given a cat. Many Labradorians, to whom black 

 fox farming seems entirely beyond their reach, 

 would, with a little instruction and encour- 

 agement, welcome such a means of livelihood. 

 There are doubtless other fur-bearers that 

 could profitably be reared in captivity for 

 their skins. Muskrats are extremely prolific, 

 and the black form, which is occasionally 

 found in Labrador, has a fur of great beauty 

 and considerable value. The raising of fur- 

 bearing animals need not in any way inter- 

 fere with the principal industry of the coast, 

 — namely, cod-fishing, — for its chief duties 

 would occupy the people during the long win- 

 ter when there is least to be done; in the sum- 

 mer the women and children could care for the 

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