806 
THE RURAL HEW-YORKER. 
for tije Dtntng. 
THE FUK-BEA.RINU ANIMALS OF 
CANADA. 
BY ANNIK L. JACK. 
r\ Cc \ . O he* one soes a » ad y 
<0 magnificently attired in 
/jcty*** -rj rich furs or a gentle- 
*■ ^ man wrapped up in his 
coon skin, or seal-trim* 
> med coat, it is hard to 
believe that the little 
► animals which gave up 
their clothing and their 
lives together were once 
4 , iv \ / ; as grandly uttired. It 
was not till later ages, 
6 ^y^ C \ that the fur of animals 
0 V of the chase became an 
qJ article of luxury, for 
the refined nations of ancient times culled 
those who were clothed in skins ‘•barbarians ” 
The Greeks and Romans were not compelled 
by the severity of the climate to adopt warm 
clothing but Seneca describes the Scythians, 
as clothed with the skins of foxes and the 
lesser quadrupeds. 
About the year 5W the people of Sweden 
began to send out skins of the sable, and the 
celebrated Marco Polo In 12. r i2 found the tents 
of the Cham of Tartary lined with ermine. 
They were said to be brought from the “Laud 
of Darkness,” as all northern regions were un¬ 
known. Then the luxury of furs began to 
spread and so great did the extravagance be¬ 
come, that in 1387 Edward III. had a law 
passed in England, prohibiting the use of furs 
to those of his subjects who could not spend a 
hundred pounds a year. When the French 
and afterward the English took possession of 
Canada they began to realize the immense 
value of the country they had obtained in the 
wealth of her fur bearing animals. Com¬ 
panies were formed, and the Indians who 
trapped the animals traded with the whites 
for knives and tobacco, guns and powder,shot 
and hatchets Of course all (he profit was for 
the company; they gave six jack knives for 
a beaver skin, a gun and shot to load It, for 
ten winter beavers; a red coat was given for 
five beaver skins, and a pound of tobao.:o for 
one or the same. There were plenty of moose 
ami martin, foxeeof all varieties, and the lame 
of this far off country spread far and the wide 
in regard to the richness of its furs and wealth 
of those interested in the Hudson Huy Com 
pany. Of course there were boars i a this cold 
north, and in some parts at the present day 
it is not unusual in autumn when they are tut., 
and can scarcely walk, to hear of a hunter 
who has shot u black bear within a few miles 
of some pleasant town. But in habit he is a 
solitary animal and likes best the thick forest 
for a home. They are easily tamed, however, 
when taken young, and old trappers some¬ 
times train a eub to walk on its Ltiud legs, and 
even to attempt keeping time to music, to the 
measure of which it seems to listen. The In¬ 
dian hunters are very careful to treat him 
cautiously and say, that a bear particularly 
resents being touched on the nose with a stick. 
When hunting they often whistle, with a 
view to startle the animal which will rise on 
its hind feet and is then easily shot. 
The coon coats so fushionahle in the north • 
ern cities of Canada are from the raccoon, a 
thick, short animal with long hair, a head like 
a fox and large, yellowish-green eyes. He has 
six cutting teeth and two cunine in each jaw, 
and his nose turns up while his under lip ad¬ 
vances over the upper one. At one time the 
flesh of these animals was sold in the chief 
Canadian cit ies in the market places, but they 
are seldom now seen, though it has the reputa¬ 
tion of being very good food. The lynx, some¬ 
what resembles the wolf, and their flesh i * good 
and delicate eating. They were at one time 
very numerous and made night hideous with 
their howling around the farm house. 
The prettiest Canadian fur is the otter, it 
is much like an overgrown weasel it is won¬ 
derful to think how many must be killed an¬ 
nually to supply the ski ns used in commerce. It 
is a funny animal with tine toes, that are 
webbed like a water-fowl’s; aud in this way 
it can do its own fishing and make a good liv¬ 
ing in Summer from tuo water, while In the 
cold weather it feeds on rats and insects, even 
making bold to try a lamb if unprotected and 
within reach. It has the faculty of goiug a 
long time without food, aud makes a strong 
fortress running along the edge of the water 
where it ruus to aud fro when attacked, often 
diving and coiniug up at the further end of its 
embankmeut. It also constructs sliding places, 
but for that purpose does not, like boys and 
girls, use ice, but selects a sloping bank and 
covers it with mud and this it keeps wet. It 
seems (or mere f uu to oujoy goiug to the top 
of this aud sliding down into the water. 
The most valuable fur is the marten, aud it 
HUH 
m 
is the hardest to procure as it is the most agile 
of all the weasel kind and will attack a quad¬ 
ruped five times its size. The fur is richest 
and most valuable when taken at the beginning 
of Winter, and that is the only time when the 
polecat is used—[She does not mean the 
skunk? TJ. M.)—though from its offensive 
smell, it is never really considered first-class, 
I have seen rich cloaks lined with this fur 
that when warm with the heat of the body, 
emitted the peculiar odor so much disliked, 
it is strange that in the vegetable kingdom, 
the handsome Grown Imperial has the same 
offensive smell, both flowers and bulb. 
The Canadian beaver delights in the fresh 
water lakes and rivers. The fur is finer than 
the otter and has two kinds of hair, one that 
is fine as down and impervious to water, and 
the other outer fur long, firm and thin, a Bort 
of overcoat. He has a flattened tail that 
serves as a rudder to direct his course while 
in the water. He resembles water animals in 
the hind part, and land animals m the fore 
part of bis body. I think he is the missing 
link between the fishes and the quadrupeds, 
and the tales one reads and hears from hunt¬ 
ers, of the beaver dams, are certainly a proof 
of the wonderful industry of this animal 
whose name has become a saying when one is 
as “busy as a beaver.” 
“ Yes, ma’am,” says an old hunter, in an¬ 
swer to my inquiries, “ they’re e’ever critters, 
is bearers. I’ve seen ’em workin' all the Bum¬ 
mer to build their banks and cabins; and 
take iu provisions in the Fall, and then they 
fettle down for a good time. It seems too 
bad, then, to go and shoot ’em, but their fur 
ain’t good any other time, and we generally 
disturb ’em, and scare ’em out. They do heaps 
of mischief among the poplars and willows. 
I till you it ain’t no fun to have a beaver 
colony among the timber.” It is really won¬ 
derful how large a tree these little animals 
can cut down, making it fall into the water, 
and making smaller trees serve as stakes, but 
more so to see the solid and neatly plastered 
cabins they can make that are impenetrable 
to rain and wind. Their tails serve as trowels, 
and their feet for plastering, laboring all to¬ 
gether iu colonies, with about an equal pro¬ 
portion of males aud females. Their senses 
are delicate, and they dislike dirt; they swim 
better than they walk, aud keep the tail and 
binder part continually iu the water. 
The muskrat is oue of the commonest of the 
fur bearing animals, aud is no rarity even in 
a farmer's fields if there happens to be a pond 
in the vicinity. It has the figure of a rat, 
but is as largo as u good-sized rabbit. It is 
often compared to Lbe beaver, as it lives in the 
water, but differs greatly in the form of its 
tail. But, bks the beavars, they live in com¬ 
panies and build little huts two or three feet 
in diameter, to shelter them from cold They 
are made of rushes, grass and mud, well 
cemented, with inside &tepe and passages,out 
of which to go, to procure provisions: for they 
do not lay by a store, and often suffer greatly 
in Winter, though feeding well in Summer 
upon any herbs or grains. They go iu pairs, 
and are distinguished by the musky odor that is 
offensive to most people, and the fur retains 
the smell In spite of careful dressing. 
What a wise provision of nuture it is that in 
a country where the thermometer falls to S20 
below zero, God has placed these warm, furry, 
creaturas, that furnish such comfortable 
clothing for us. The extent of this industry 
is immense, and from the trapper to the ward¬ 
robe is a marvel of skill and careful manipu¬ 
lation, aud gives employment to a vast nunr 
ber of people. The furriers are among the 
wealthiest of the merchants, and as civiliza¬ 
tion progresses, and the fur-bearing animals 
become scarcer, there w ill be more judicious 
management needed than the present indis¬ 
criminate slaughter, if the future generations 
are to be as well provided for. 
JSOTES BY UNCLE MARK. 
Now boys aud girls, let us have a splendid 
time in our department iu the weeks to come. 
You are all welcome, every one, whenever 
you come, with letters short or long; though 
some of the very short ones 1 keep all to my¬ 
self; 1 enjoy every' one all the same. Let me 
have a pile of them. 
1 have seen some beautiful white birch trees 
this week, the leaves have all fallen, but the 
white slender trunk aud long, graceful, browu 
branches are handsome without the leaves. 
Have auy of the cousius ever seen a birch- 
bark canoe? All the birch trees are not 
straight, however, some of them grow crook¬ 
ed and bent. 
Several little trees looking very much like 
umbrellas attracted my attention, and I learn¬ 
ed they were made to grow in such peculiar 
shape by grafting buds upside down, so the 
branches grow toward the ground, aud they 
can never be tall, but are very curious. 
izing in the Rural? If you are interested in 
the subject and want to make experiments, 
get ready now by studying Botaoy, as you 
will need to know the different parts of the 
flowers, and though it is work that takes care 
and patience, and long waiting. If you should 
succeed in getting a new, extra-fine variety 
of any fruit you would be well rewarded. 
Up in a hay mow I climbed for some “mud 
dauber” wasps nests, one day last week; here 
and there against the rafters I found the odd 
little mud bouses; by taking hold of them 
gently and firmly I loosened them from the 
wood without crushing them. If you can 
find some of theae and open them carefully, 
you will know what a little girl saw when I 
opened three to show thorn to her. 
Our country was not only possessed by a 
great many tribes of Indians before the white 
man came, but by hundreds of wild animals, 
and many of these were found to be of use. 
Annie L. Jack tells us this week of some t hat 
are prized for their soft, warm fur; read what 
she has written for you about these useful and 
industrious animals. 
Have you read the premium list? Is there 
something there you want very much? If 
there is, i hope you will work with a will un¬ 
til vou get enough subscriliers to entitle you 
to the premium you want, and I think you 
will feel repaid for your work when you get 
the premiums that you worked for. 
Unless I am mistaken, the girls generally 
give more presents than the boys do. I would 
like to have my nephews change this for next 
Christmas. Put your wits to work to contrive 
something for all your home folks and you will 
think of something to please each one that you 
can make or buy. Uncle Mark has not got 
too old to hang up his stocking and he wants 
all of his nephews to help make the Christmas 
time a delightful one this year. 
$ eat 
Vlralnln Farms — Mild ellmate. Cheap Homes. 
Send for circular. A. O. M LI**, Central in, Vu, 
NOV 29 
gUw g 
The Great Literary Sensation of the Year 
“Wy Wife’s Fool 
h'-nitlit vi 1 loejnn for every home. 175 characteristic il- 
,'i t . it is going like wildfire. 
1 /v«hI, UJ, H l n J Forctrciilnrsandtermsaddress 
A£entS wanted, AMERIC A- praLTsmso co., 
Hartford,, { nor Bottom XKVTION THIS PA PER. 
HEW MUSIC BOOKS)! 
The Song Greeting, 
By l! O. Kmfksom. Fob High and Normal Schools. 
Academies, Seminaries and Colleges. A book of 160 
large octavo pave*. containing 83 harmonized songs 
of ibo highest character both In words and music: 
nl«-o Vocal Exercises and Solfegrlost, and directions 
for Vocal Cultnro. The publishers arc confident that 
this will be a most satisfactory book. 
Send iii cents (the retail price) for specimen copy; 
9 I 1 .OO per dozen. __ 
Children’s Songs, 
AIVI» HOWTO HINGTIIEM. 
Fob Common Schools Endorsed by Christine Nil¬ 
sson, Then. Thomu* and others. Any school music 
teacher will he at once capttvated by the charming, 
genial character uf the songs, which are St In number, 
By Wm. L. Tomi.ins. 
Teacher’s Edition, 75 cents; $7,3b per dozen. 
Scholar’s Edition, *1 cents: #$.00 per dozen. 
Dow’s Collection 
OF RES PON**'* AND SENTENCES FOR 
CHURCH SERVICE 
By Howard M. Dow. 
Just the book needed by every chotr that has short 
anthems or «rnt< neex to *ltig. A tine eollrction of 
Mieb pieces, Hlfrhlv approved by tbo»e who have 
examined it. Price SO cents; $7.20 per dozen. 
Any book mailt*! for retail price. 
OLIVER DITSON A CO ,, Boston. 
C. H. DITSON & CO......867 Brondway, New York. 
"-I I WILL CIVE A —■ 
WATERBURY WATCH FREE! 
and warranted a nKUAlu.it *tcm winding time¬ 
keeper, to auy one who wilt gel « subscribers for 
“The Kalin AuuictTLTrBiST. the best fO-cents 
a-year paper in the world. Sample copies Sent 
Free. Address ANDREW SIMONSON, Racine.Wls. 
STITTIY Thorough and practical in- 
o 1 *-■ ir 1 . uructlon glveu by mall In 
Book-keeping, Bustneii* Forms. Arithme¬ 
tic, Shorthand, ■to. Term* reasonable. 
„„ .. . .. * ,, x* aia i_i tic. Stiortnann, 1 tc. 1 inn* reusoname. 
THOM. C. DAY A: CO., Send stamps for■Pamohlet to ^ CORRESPONDENCE 
PIN \ S ( I \ I AGENTS* Id Sf N J-. -s S< Jf< ><)!-, 4.*i M.tin buffalo, N. V . 
r I t I't 1 -rx a* — m 
We have Invested millions of dollars for Eastern 
corporations and Individual* upon Real Estate In 
Indiana We can refer 60 those who have dealt with 
us lor 18 year*, without the loss of a dollar. We col 
lecl principal and interest without expense to the 
lender. 
Real Estate In Indiana cured for or sold, and any 
finiinclnl buslncs* attended to on reasonable terms. 
Write for references ami circular, addressing 
7'A E. niurket Si., Indiu tinpolis, Indiana. 
CHEAP FARMS, 
KE4H MARKET*. 
The Stale of Michfgan has more than 1,6001111108 01 
railroad and 1,«0U miles Of lake iransportutloii.schools 
and churches in every county, public buildings all 
paid for, and no debt. Its soli aud climate combine 
In produce largo crops, anil It is the nest fruit State 
In the northwest Several millions of ueres of unoc¬ 
cupied and ferule lauds are yet In the market at low 
prices. The State ha* Issued a PAMPHLET contain 
Jug a map, a,so deseilptlons of Its Boll, crops and 
general resource*, which may lie hml free of charge 
y w riling 10 im- < 
JON. Detroit, Mich. 
£toxU aud poultry. 
H.li jK) ur.l*. »M»l,ANl)-< IlHVjk, 
i lirrirr U litlr. IGrkklilrf A; \oi! ' 
aliire l*lg%. SiulMown, (iit.wuld 
:«n<l Down Sbc-epnntl Lnuiltf 
Si-olfh loilrjr *b#|ibrr»J IL'gv turf 
K*»cy Poultry. N*nd for« 
> .aTLEX HCkPUM A CO.FVIU, H 
REGISTERED S”JNE 
Tliuruugti bred t lictcr l. Ilk'S. I’o- 
luniMhliiu., k lm|*irlcd itcrkxhlre* 
True pedigree given sith every Animal sold. Strong, h, sltnjf 
•took only. Purity guaranteed. Send sta mp far US* Oulu. 
lane. C. II. Wurrtnirtob. Bo* Weal CkmUa Pa 
IMPERIAL ECC FOOD 
IF*# LI. „!»./« K r#F« HBJS'H /..*!*. 
Packages Mnilrd for ,50c. smlSl. 
6 Boxes, $2. 10 Boxes. 34 tt Kegs. 96.Z>. By Ex¬ 
press or freight. 
WHOLESALE AO ENTS. 
B. K. Bliss & Sons. N Y. 1 J. C. Long-Jr., N Y. 
Benson,.Manic A co.. I’hlia. | Parker & Wood. Boston. 
Geo. A. Ki lly it Go., Pittsburgh, I'n 
Western Chemical Co . St. Louis, Mo. 
John Anglum A Co., Denver, CoL 
Geo. G. Wiekson A Co., San Francisco, Cal. 
F. A. Daughtry, Shreveport, La 
T W. Wood, Richmond. Va. 
F. C. STD UTEVANT. Prop. HarlTord, Conn. 
Successor of Cbas. R. Allen & Co. 
REGISTERED CHESHIRESfH’H 
aces Wluners of Silver Medal and four first prizes 
at Pa. State Fair. BU TTON BUGS.,Cbltteuaugo.N.Y. 
REGISTERED JERSEYS. 
Combining the blood of Rloter-Alphea, Vlctor-Hugo. 
Pansev-Albert, Ladv Mary. Jersey Belle of Scltuate, 
and other fashionable strains. Health guaranteed. 
BEST AND CHEAPEST. 
PETERSON’S 
MAGAZINE. 
JANUARY NUMBER NOW READY. 
Petkrson’s Magazine is the BEST AND CHEAPES 
of the ladles’books. It gives more for the money 
and combines greater merit* than uuy other. In 1885 
It will be greatly Improved, though already It has the 
REST JiTEEL-ENGRAVINGH, 
BK*T COLORED FASHIONS, 
IIKST DRESS-PATTER NS, 
REST ORIGINAL STORIES, 
REST WORK-TABLE PATTERNS, 
BEST MUSIC, Etc.. Etc. 
Its Immense circulation and long established repu¬ 
tation enables the proprietor to distance all compe¬ 
tition. _ 
TERMS, - - TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. 
IW- WITH GREAT REDUCTIONS TO CLUBS.^Jt 
COSTLY PKKMIUMS FOK CLUBS. 
Address, postpaid, 
CHAS. J. PETERSON, 
.106 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
Specimens sent gratU, If written for, to get up olubs. 
BEST HOLIDAY GIFT 
'PIC TIONAjjyfofBINDINGfr 
A VALUABLE GIFT. 
A WELCOME GIFT. 
and other fasblonubli* strains. 
Send for catalogue. 
RICHARDSON BROS., 
DAVENPORT, I WA. 
ourpatP ttsWWM,li 
Have you read whathasbecu said of hybrid- | address 
• Address, TAYLOR MFC. O. ^ 
'fUatt Mention I hit Pupw.) Cham «hurg,P» 
For Agricultural Implements or Machines call or 
ddress The New York Plow Co., 55 Beekman Street. 
Now supplied, at a small additional .cost, with 
DENISON'S 
PATE NT REFERENCE INDEX. 
The latest edition has 3000 more Words in its 
vocabulary than are found in any other Am. Dict’y 
tuid nearly 3 times the number of Engravings. 
G. A C. MERR1AM & CO., Pub’rs,Springfield, Mass. 
THE BIGGEST THING OUT. _n §Sff ? r.r k 
(New) E. NASOS & CO., 12U Fulton 8t„ New York. 
A DIIIDUI CTon the home treatment of DR CD K- 
rAlflrnLlLl ENNE*»* and the Tobncco Habit 
will be sent on receipt of stamp Address: Sec. of 
Temperance Reform Association, New Haven, Conn. 
