SILVER-FOX FARMING. 53 
A more humane and satisfactory method of killing is by the injec- 
tion of a solution of strychnine sulphate. Objection has been made 
to this on the ground that strychnine may injure the pelt by causing 
the hair to fall out. This, however, is not the case. The effect, if 
any. of strychnine on the hair follicles is contracting rather than 
relaxing. In any event there would be no ill effect in the case of 
foxes in captivity, since the pelt is removed so soon after death. 
The operation of injecting strychnine sulphate is very simple. 
The instruments used are a small hypodermic barrel syringe, two 
reasonably long needles, and a quantity of a 3 per cent solution of 
strychnine sulphate. The syringe is filled with the solution and the 
gauge set for 1 cubic centimeter. The fox is placed on its right side 
and held by an attendant. The operator places his hand on the chest 
to locate the heart, at the same time feeling for a space between the 
ribs to avoid running the needle into the bone. The needle is in- 
serted in the direction of the heart and the dose discharged. In less 
than a minute the fox dies without a struggle. 
SKINNING. 
After the animal heat goes out of the body the flesh shrinks from 
the skin, permitting the pelt to be removed more easily and keeping 
the skin side free from blood. This will take place in about half an 
hour, but in this period care should be taken to prevent the carcass 
from freezing. 
The only tool needed in skinning a fox is a pocket knife, and this 
should be kept sharp during the operation. A slit is made up the 
back of each hind leg. starting at the inside of the paw and running 
to the hock, then from the hock to a point just below the root of the 
tail. The back of each front leg is slit in the same manner from the 
paw to the first joint. The skin is then worked free from the flesh 
from the first joint to the claws, and the bones of the claws are cut 
free from the pelt, but the nails are allowed to remain with the fur. 
A slit is made from the root of the tail about half its length and all 
of the bones are pulled out of the brush. 
The carcass is then hung on a hook or nail by the tendon of the 
hock joint and the pelt is pulled down, the knife being used whenever 
necessary to free it. until it is removed as far as the neck. The knife 
is then used, and careful work is necessary to cut around the base of 
the ears, including them in the pelt, then around the eyes, and around 
the mouth and lips. Carcasses should be disposed of immediately 
by burning. 
DRYING PELTS. 
The pelt is placed on a wooden frame for drying as soon as it is 
taken from the carcass. (PL III. Fig. 1.) The frame may be made 
of soft wood one-half to five-eighths inch thick. Soft material will 
facilitate drying and the drawing of tacks. A board 45 inches long 
and approximately 7 inches wide should be used, rounding out a 
nose at one end. At a distance of 12 inches from the nose the board 
should be 6 inches wide, and at the base 7 inches. Cut the board 
in halves, lengthwise, and on the sides of one of the pieces fasten 
two straight strips at right angles at the base, so that when the 
