28 BULLETIN 1078, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICEXTTTEE. 



be quickly removed either by trapping alive for shipment or in the 

 ordinary way for their fur. 



Attitude toward heavers. — If beavers are to be treated as public 

 property, it is as objectionable to place them on private land where 

 they will destroy crops and timber as it would be to turn herds of 

 hogs and cattle into cultivated grain fields to fatten on what they 

 like best. A thorough knowledge of their nature and habits is neces- 

 sary for their control, as also for their successful culture. In many 

 States the game laws provide for a license, allowing the capture and 

 raising of fur-bearing animals under necessary restrictions as a pri- 

 vate industry, and in other States where there is no such provision 

 the legislatures might well authorize the game commissions to pro- 

 vide such licenses and to take such other means as are necessary fully 

 to control and regulate the beaver industry and protect private 

 property. 



Beaver farming. — The practicability of beaver farming has not 

 been fully demonstrated, but from present knowledge it seems reason- 

 able that the business of raising beavers for their fur will develop 

 into a profitable branch of fur farming. Many problems must later 

 be worked out, such as family and sex relations, extent of sociability 

 and enmity, effects of large numbers on the health and increase of the 

 stock, possible diseases, protection from natural enemies and poach- 

 ers, and actual values and proper prices. However, the more imme- 

 diate problems of capture, feeding, breeding, fencing, control, and 

 shipping have been partially solved. To start beaver farming on a 

 large scale at present would probably be unwise, but with a small 

 beginning the enterprise seems to promise good returns and even 

 great possibilities. When fully established it should greatly increase 

 the value of a large area of north country and, by insuring a perma- 

 nent supply of excellent fur, open up a new industry where greatly 

 needed. Only such areas as are determined to be suitable should be 

 stocked with beavers; the animals should not be introduced uncon- 

 trolled into places where their activities may menace irrigation or 

 power ditches or important road or railroad grades. Sites selected 

 for them should contain a suitable food supply and permanent water. 



Utilizing forest areas. — Over a large part of our millions of acres 

 of national forests beavers are capable of far more good than harm 

 in conserving water and soil, weeding out timber of little value, 

 making the silent places teem with interest, and yielding substantial 

 returns in an annual fur harvest. With intelligent control to avoid 

 local damage to valuable timber and other property and with wise 

 restraint to prevent the dispersal of beavers over surrounding coun- 

 try, the usual complaints of damage can be eliminated. On some of 

 the national forests beavers are already present and in places in- 



