8 io 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
December 1 
Live Stock and Dairy 
A TALK ABOUT FERRETS. 
How Raised and Handled. 
Many people never saw a ferret. They 
are animals of the weasel type, 12 to 16 
inches long, slim, and weighing from iy 2 
to three pounds each. Hunters use them 
for driving rabbits from their burrows, 
though the laws of many States forbid 
this now. They are also very useful for 
clearing cellars or buildings of rats. A 
ferret has the advantage of a cat in be¬ 
ing able to go right into the rat’s home. 
No doubt the rat thinks that an evil 
spirit is after him, and it is about so, 
for the ferret is bloodthirsty, and woe 
to the rat that does not get out of his 
way. Mr. N. A. Knapp, of Rochester, 
O., has raised ferrets for many years, 
having at times as many as 1,200 on 
hand. The following interview will give 
an idea of the methods of a practical 
man: 
“How did you come to get into the fer¬ 
ret business?” 
“About 12 years ago, during a Winter 
when the snow was very deep, wild rab¬ 
bits did great damage to my choice 
young orchard. We had seen them run¬ 
ning about the fields in the moonlight, 
anu thought them very nice, but when 
I found that the trees were barked, my 
mind changed. Something had to be 
done. A neighbor’s boy came over with 
gun and ferret; there were several piles 
of fence rails near the orchard, and we 
let the ferret go in. The boy watched 
with his gun, and during the day we got 
nearly 30 rabbits. This showed me the 
value of the ferret for getting rid of 
troublesome animals.” 
“What sort of a house do ferrets 
need?” 
“We don’t find that any particular 
kind is necessary, so long as they are 
kept off wet ground, and have a shelter 
from cold and rain. We have used both 
dirt and board floors successfully. Where 
only two or three are kept, a box or 
barrel with plenty of straw for a nest 
will do all right, but it is necessary to 
see that they do not get away, as they 
will make havoc with poultry. ’ 
“How many can be kept in a pen?” 
“Eight or 10 in Winter. The males 
and females should be separated. The 
proper proportion is one male to about 
four females. At breeding season each 
male should be put in a separate pen, 
and a short time before they litter, each 
female should be given a place by her¬ 
self. She will line the nest with her 
hair, and this nest must not be disturbed 
while the young are small, as tne ferret 
is liable to disown them. There is dan¬ 
ger of weakening the stock from in- 
breeding. We get new males from stand¬ 
ard breeders every season, and thus 
keep our stock strong. Tney usually 
breed twice a year, in March or April, 
and again in August. If two or more 
have small litters of about the same age 
tney can be put together, and one of 
them bred soon again. A ferret that is 
nursing young will adopt any other 
small ferret that may be given her. A 
strong female will care for six or seven 
as well as two or three.” 
“How long before the young can take 
care of themselves?” 
“They do not get their eyes open un¬ 
til four weeks old. At two or three 
months they can be weaned all right.” 
“How much meat should ferrets be 
fed?” 
“There is a difference of opinion re¬ 
garding this. Some think that a meat 
diet is necessary, and others say fhat 
they will do well without any meat. Our 
experience is that a variety is best the 
same as with a man. Where only a few 
are kept, bread and milk, and scraps 
from the table, with now and then a 
rabbit, will do; but we found that it 
was too much trouble to bake bread for 
a large number, so for the bulk of the 
food we use a mush made of corn, oata 
and wheat, ground very fine and sifted. 
When feeding, it is a good plan to have 
some call, like a whistle or rapping on 
the side of the pen, as this will help in 
coaxing out a ferret that takes a notion 
to stay in the burrow after the game is 
out.” 
“How do you handle them?” 
“It is dangerous to pick up with the 
naked hands one that is not tamed, as 
he is liable to bite severely. At first we 
use leather mittens. After a little pet¬ 
ting they get over being afraid, and can 
be handled safely.” 
“Does a ferret need much training to 
make him hunt?” 
“There is a difference, some being 
much handier than others, but as a rule 
it is not necessary to have them trained. 
When put down near a rat or rabbit bur¬ 
row, or a haystack or pile of rails, it is 
perfectly natural for them to look for 
the game. Care must be taken not to 
scare the game back into the hole, for 
the ferret may kill it, eat what he wants 
and lie down to sleep in the burrow.” 
“How can you get him out under such 
circumstances?” 
“Some smoke them out. If he will not 
come out when called, it is a good plan 
to block up the hole tightly at both ends 
and leave him in all night. He will dc 
quite ready to get out the next morn¬ 
ing. If we have a ferret that bothers 
much in this way, we put a soit leather 
muzzle on him so that he cannot kill 
the rabbit, though that would not do in 
sending him after game that might make 
a fight.” 
“How old should they be before using 
for hunting?” 
“For rabbits, one four or five months 
old will do, but for rats they should be 
older, as old rats are likely to make a 
fight if they have young ones. Where 
there is a large number of rats, it is a 
good plan to have two or three ferrets, 
as well as boys with clubs and dogs, but 
don’t have any guns around at such a 
time, for some one is likely to get hurt 
in the excitement wnen the rats come 
streaking out of the holes. We were in 
a hunt once with three ferrets, two dogs 
and five boys, and killed about 90 rats 
in two hours. Some will get away, but 
a few such hunts clean them out.” 
“Isn’t it dangerous to have dogs 
around with the ferrets?” 
“Yes, until taught to let them alone. 
Hold the ferret in your hand. Call the 
dog and let him smell it. Then put the 
ferret on the ground and tell the dog 
that he must not touch it. After a few 
minutes’ training the dog will learn that 
he is not to harm it.” 
“Are ferrets subject to disease?” 
“No, unless overfed or kept in dirty 
pens. The most common diseases are 
mange, foot rot, sore eyes and colds or 
distempers. Sick ferrets should be at 
once separated from the others. They 
are sometimes troubled with fleas, which 
can be easily got rid of Dy sprinkling 
with insect powder. Some claim that a 
few tansy leaves in the nest will keep 
away the fleas.” 
“What is the cost of keeping ferrets in 
quantities?” 
“We once made a test with 162 in Sep¬ 
tember, and found that they could all be 
kept in good condition on a shilling a 
day. We can raise 100 young ferrets 
with the milk of one cow and $10 or 
$12 worth of the ground feed spoken of 
before. Anyone starting into this busi¬ 
ness should go very slowiy on the start. 
Ferrets sell from $4 to $7 per pair, ac¬ 
cording to the season and quality. The 
highest prices are obtained late in the 
Winter.” 
THE “ TON " WORTH OF SILAGE. 
The question is asked what is the mar¬ 
ket value of silage, and what would be 
a fair value per ton, and whether it is 
often sold? It is not often sold, for the 
reason that it is a damp food full of sac¬ 
charine matter in solution, and as soon 
as it is raised out of its solid airproof 
place in the silo, it immediately com¬ 
mences to referment, it is not a safe 
feed to buy, loosen up, expose to the ac¬ 
tion of the air, transport, anu keep it 
very long in the condition before taking 
out of the silo. It is sold, however, the 
buyer coming every day and getting his 
load for the day’s feeding, the same as 
if fed in the same barn. A silo of si¬ 
lage was soiu near here last Winter, tne 
owner receiving $2.75 per ton, and all 
parties reported themselves satisfied. I 
think that other sales have been made 
about here in a small way at about the 
same rates; one man selling at the rate 
of 2 y 2 cents per bushel. Still, this does 
not answer as to the exact market price, 
for there are no established prices. Af¬ 
ter feeding silage for 15 years I should 
say that when good meadow hay was 
selling for $10 per ton—loose—that a ton 
oi it should rate as equal to three tons 
of good silage, as we estimate its feed¬ 
ing value at that proportion, i. e., the 
feeding value of three tons of silage is 
equal to a ton of nice meadow hay, let 
the price be as it may, for either. This 
refers to the feeding of milch cows par¬ 
ticularly. JOHN GOULD. 
Ohio. 
Cured Bronchitis. 
Mr. PETER MILLKK, La Crosse, Kan.. December 11, 
1897. writes: 
About two months ago I was seriously afflicted 
with BRONCHITIS, accompanied with such severe 
spells of coughing that I could not. sleep and for a 
While I THOUGHT I WOULD DIE. I called in tbe 
City Physician, but he failed to do me any good, and 
I had almost despaired of life, when one of our 
neighbors persuaded me to buy a bottle of Jayne's 
Expectorant. I had no faith in it, and was abso¬ 
lutely astonished at the relief I obtained from the 
first few doses. Continuing the medicine. I was 
COM PLETKLY AND PERMANENTLY CURED with 
a few bottles, and I solemnly believe it saved my 
life.— Adv. 
Breeders’ Directory. 
EEDDETC- First-class stock. W. J. WOOD 
rCVIftCId Box 211, New London. Ohio. 
9nnn EEERE T S - First-class stock. Some 
£UUU Trained. New price-list free. 
N. A. KNAPP, Rochester, Lorain Co., O. 
COLLIE PUPS —Spayed Females. Circulars. 
Sii.as Decker, South Montrose, Pa 
Collie Pups 
FOR SALE. Ralph Sherman, 
South Haven, Mich, 
BELGIAN HARES 
Some choice stock at reasonable prices. 
C. T. UPDKGRAFF. Martins Ferry, Ohio. 
'C'or Sale—White Holland Turkeys; W. P. Rocks; 
W. Guineas, in their highest grade of purity, at 
farmers' prices. JASON ELLARS, Book waiter, Ohio 
BRONZE TURKEYS 
Bred by 42-pound Tom. $7 per pair. 
GEO. W. SALISBURY. Phelps, N. Y. 
rnrifFPPI Q—Choice W. Wyandottes, P. Rocks, 
ol/UilMlDL/O Brahmas, Cochins. Leghorns, from 
prize-winning stock. 23 varieties of land and water 
fowls. Satisfaction guaranteed. Big Catalogue 
free. PINE TREE FARM, Box T.Jamesburg, N. J. 
POLAND-CHIM HOGS lies, consisting of April 
Males ready for service. Gilts bred from Spring 
litters. Also Fall Pigs, i’rices low for quality of 
stock. J. R. HAINES, Minerva, Ohio. 
FOR SALE 
—THOROUGHBRED HOLSTEIN 
BULL CALVES. Well marked 
and of best breeding. Will be sold at farmers' price. 
Write at once. W. W. CHENEY. Manlius, N. Y. 
Oo You Want 
a H o 1 s t e i n - Friesian 
Bull Calf? 
a Chester White Pig 
either sex, pair or trio? 
If you do, and want the best breeding at a fair price, 
write to-day to CHAS. K. RECORD. Peterboro, N.Y 
150 Dellhurst Holsteins 
for sale, including young Cows, Heifers and a 
great lot of BULL CALVES—several now ready 
lor service—sons of “DeKol’s Butter Boy”, and 
the famous “ Royal Paul ” out of advanced Re¬ 
gistry cows. Catalogue. 
DELLHURST FARM, Mentor, Ohio. 
A 
J. C CLUI5 young BULLS, CALVES 
and HEIFERS. Also. DUROC-JER8EY Pigs 
at law prices. E. L. CLARKSON, Tivoli, N. Y. 
Refer by permission to The Rural New-Yorker, 
HORSE COLIC, 
Distemper, Founder, Pneu¬ 
monia, etc., as well as all 
forms of Lameness, Contract¬ 
ed Cord, Curb, Splint, etc., 
are instantly relieved, and in¬ 
variably cured by the use of 
Tuttle’s Elixir. 
Satisfaction guaranteed or 
!money refunded. Used and 
endorsed by the Adams Ex¬ 
press Company. Used by leading breeders and 
turfmen everywhere. Has saved and cured many 
valuable horses. May do likewise for you. 
TUTTLE'S FAMILY EUXW cares rheumatism, sprains, 
bruises, etc. Kills pain instantly. Our 100-page book, 
“Veterinary Experience” ) I1HE. 
Dr. S. A. TUTTLE, 30 Beverly St., Boston, Mass. 
Beware of BO-callctl Elixirs—none genuine but Tuttle’s. 
Death to Heaves, 
Coughs and Distemper, 
_is NEWTON’S CURE. 
* Best references. $1 18 cau 
Newton Horse Remedy 
Co. (Y), Toledo, O. 
FLEMINGS 
JJ&r 
Trade Mark. 
LUMP JAW 
Easily and thoroughly cured* 
Hew, common-sense method, 
not expensive. No cure, no 
pay. FBKE. A practical, ill¬ 
ustrated treatise on the abso¬ 
lute cure of Lump Jaw, free to 
readersof thispaper. 
Fleming Hro*., chemists. 
Union Stock Yards, Chicago, 111. 
Sf*A VIN 
can be cured by using EAGLE'S COMPOUND. Has 
produced excellent results for a number of years. 
I do not claim it to cure everything. Try one bottle 
on your horse; price SI.25. 
Also. CAMPHOR SALVE, which is second to no 
other for cracked hands and chafed skin. 30 cents 
per two ounces. Manufactured, and sent postage 
paid, by A. EAGLE. Newtown, Pa. 
nCATU Tfl I IPC Oh HENS and CHICKBNB 
UtAin IU LlUL 64-page book tbii. 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apponaug, R. I. 
ABEL 
ana’Si Wh,te 
_oMetuiiieEAR LABELS 
iped with any name or address with consecutive 
ibers. I supply forty recording associations and 
isands of practical farmers, breeders and veteri 
ans. Samplesfree. Agent. Wonted. 
ADAM GREEN BONE GUTTER 
ock of hens means egg money the year round. -■ 
i Cut Hone you know makes hens lay double the 
inter and summer. This machine runs easier than 
er because it is the only ball-hearing bone cutter 
It cuts bone quickly—shears it off in fine shavings, 
hoke; cleans itself; is strong and substantial. Send 
i for our Tree illustrated catalogue No. 8 ft._ 
J. ADAM, JOLIET, IXjXx. 
FOR SALE. 
WANDERER’S KLONDIKE 48797. Solid light 
fawn — grand individual. 8ire. Wanderer of St. 
Lambert by Rioter of St. Lambert. Dams tested. 
Write for pedigree. L. I). ELY, Rochester, N. Y. 
Some GOOD young 
JERSEY BULL CALVES 
FOR BALE at fair prloes. No PLUGS nor nn 
registered for sale at any prloe. 
R. F. SHANNON, 907 Liberty Bt., Pittsburg, Pa. 
Surplus Stock. Bargains. Catalog. 
Two Jersey Bulls, 1 year and 6 months. Cheshire 
Pigs. S. C. W. Leghorn Cockerels. Mammoth 
Bronze Turkeys (gobbler strain). Seed Potatoes. 
Everything our own production. Prize-winning 
stock this Fall. Limited In numbers, but un¬ 
excelled in quality. Prompt answers to this ad. 
will be given bargains, both in stock and price. 
C. E. CHAPMAN, Peruville, N. Y. 
Ayrshires, Oxford Sheep and Cheshires. 
One Bull Calf, four weeks; two Heifer Calves, two 
weeks; Heifer, two years, in calf. Boars fit for 
service sows; Pigs in pairs not akin. Oxford Ewes 
and Lambs. 
HOMER J. BROWN, Harford, Cortland Co., N.Y. 
THE CHAIN HANGING 
CATTLE STANCHION. 
The most praotlcal and humane Faitener ever in- 
rented. Gives perfect freedom of the head. Illus¬ 
trated Ciroular and Price free on application. 
Manufactured by O. H. ROBERTSON, 
Forestviile. Conn. 
SCOTT’S 
Perfect Swinging 
and Self-Closing 
COW STANCHION 
Each cow shuts herself 
in place. Circulars free. 
B. C. SCOTT, 
210 Beach Street, 
Bridgeport. Conn. 
The Belgian Hare Guide 
The latest and best book out 
on the Belgian hare industry. 
Illustrated, practical and covers 
every phase of the subject. Price 
25 Cents; or with INLAND 
Poultry Journal one 
year, 40 cts. Sample copy 
of Journal free, if re¬ 
quested, or six mos. trial 
subscription, 10 cents. 
Please mention this paper. Agents Wanted. 
Inland Poultry Journal Co., Indianapolis, Inc 
H0EMAKEM POULTRY 
160 pages, over 
on 1 
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Fowls, Incubators, Brooders, 
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Fowls with lowest prices. Price only 15 cents. 
C. C. SHOEMAKER. Kox 108, Fr«port, III. 
Hatch Chicks that Lives 
Their vitality depends upon the egg The egg 
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easiest, most rapid cutter made is 
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Your money back if dissatisfied. S.-nd for our 
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