CONTENTS. 



Pago. 



Introduction 7 



Growth of the use of furs 7 



Saving the fur supply 9 



Importance of the muskrat 9 



Classification and distribution 10 



Description 10 



General habits 11 



Houses and burrows 11 



Breeding 13 



Migrations 15 



Food 15 



Destructive habits of muskrats 17 



Injury to gardens and crops 17 



Injury to rice 18 



Injury to water lilies 18 



Injury to tidal meadows 19 



Injury to dams and embankments 19 



Injury to fish 21 



Economic uses of the muskrat 21 



The muskrat as food 21 



Sale in the markets 22 



Preparation and cooking 23 



Muskrat furs 24 



Trade in the furs 24 



Trapping the muskrat 26 



Caring for the skins 29 



Home dressing of furs 29 



Dressing for the manufacturer 30 



Manufactures of muskrat furs 31 



Muskrat farming 31 



Some examples 32 



Possibilities of the business 33 



The muskrat as a pest 33 



Means of destruction 34 



Protection of property from muskrats 34 



Enemies of the muskrat 35 



Protective laws 35 



Closed seasons 36 



Summary 37 



396 5 



