ECONOMIC VALUE OF NORTH AMERICAN SKUNKS. 21 



marketing the pelts. For a time his surplus stock will command 

 higher prices for breeding purposes than he could obtain for the 

 skins, especially if the skunks are " deodorized/' so 

 that there is no difficulty in shipping them. 



The best method of killing domesticated skunks for 

 their fur is by suffocation. A tight wooden box large 

 enough to hold several skunks and having a close- 

 fitting door (padded if necessary) should be used. 

 The animals may be driven into the box singly or 

 several at a time. After the door is closed, a small 

 quantity of carbon bisulphide or chloroform should 

 be poured on a bunch of cotton and this introduced 

 into the box through a hole in the top. The hole 

 should be immediately corked or otherwise tightly 

 closed. The amount of liquid needed will depend on 

 the size of the box and the number of skunks. Two 

 spoonfuls of either liquid is enough for one skunk 

 in a small box, and not much more is required for 

 several animals unless there is much extra space in the 

 box. The animals die quickly and without struggle. 

 If illuminating gas is available it may be used in- 

 stead of a volatile liquid. A rubber 

 hose carrying the gas may be inserted 

 through the hole in the box. The 

 space about the tube may be plugged with cotton. 



Skunk skins should be " cased" for market. The 

 following directions for skinning should be observed : 

 Begin with the middle of the hind foot and with 

 a sharp knife slit up the rear edge of the leg to the 

 under side of the tail, being careful not to cut into 

 the scent glands. Then cut the opposite leg in the 

 same manner. No other cuts in the body of the 

 animal are necessary. Cut around the heel of the 

 feet and turn the skin back over the body. Strip 

 the skin from the tail bone with the help of a split 

 stick grasped in the hand while the thumb presses 

 firmly against the back of the animal just above 

 the tail. Continue to turn the skin back over the 

 body, using the knife only when necessary to cut 

 ligaments. Care should always be taken to cut 

 around the nose, mouth, and eyes to avoid tearing 

 the skin. 



Some trappers slit the tail to remove the bone. 

 If the bone has been pulled out, the tip of the tail 

 should be slit for about an inch to admit air, or a little salt or alum 

 may be pushed down into the extreme tip. 



Fig. 8. — Diagram of 

 stretcher made of 

 thin board for 

 drying skunk 

 skins. (Dimen- 

 sions in inches.) 



Fig. 9.— Diagram of 

 stretcher similar 

 to that shown in 

 figure 8, but made 

 of heavy galvan- 

 ized wire. 



