Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-06-29
Prom The New Englasd Farmer.
THE USEFUL CREATURE.


said TO you last winter abou, the merits Of certain
quadrnped that has been too fragrant in your paper Of
late 10 need mentioning by name (yhose name that is
to be- m fact, seems yet unseiiled) finding that
ADLER, though will not admit friendly, advocates
had come out in his defence and moreover, seeing
that had not the moral courage long ago to take the
lead in vindcang the character OF this poor despiscd
abused, slandered, prosecuted, and most noedessly
dreaded and eSccrated brute, had pretty much con
cludcd not to STIR in the matter but quietly ronoush
any claim might feel conscious Of to share in the
Immortality eagerly commended for, in this new field
Of popular distinction. But as you gave me such a
broad hint in your number Of the I'd inst, though
may still be IN bad odor, (as before suggested to you
the iear) shall now be sure of being good compa
ny, and have concluded to follow your bidding and
help TO brighten the prospects Of mutual friends
And, sir, If were really ambitious Of the distinction
commended for, ! could WELD wotdy, weighty pen
could discourse most enghily and Orlorousiy wiihal,
upon this heretofore an sayory theme.
have the presumption 10 presume that have more
atientvely watched the movements and studied the
habits, OF to speak learnedly, have penetrated
deeper into the oiogy OF the beast, than any living
has thought 1t worth his while do Sir, boast
OF having completely unskunked the skunk in his
dreaded skuukshness, and made him as sweet and as
harmless a the prettest kitten or puppy
that the very finest fine lady might take him with
the most perfect mpunity to her And any
farmers boy may do the same if he will take the ami
NAL at tender age and holding tying him fast on his
back apply sharp penknile upon either side Of the
butt end of his TAIL cutting cautiously through the fatty
substance and muscular envelope, till he comes TO del
icate membranous sack, containing the fearful; which
sacks, either side, being removed never be
reproduced, the be again secreted and no
danger not the least either to the operator the oper
a,ed upon. a.
To he serious, Mr.. Putnam, / do know, and affirm,
from careful observation of many years, that the
skunk, in his proper line of business is eminently
titled to a rightful place among useful animals He
is signally the destroyer Of the enemies to the
ters of the soil And do exceedingly rejoice, that
with the innocent little birds, and the Favored toad
he has length though late, begun TO be justly appre
ciated. lie is in fact, worth his weight in oads, the
capacity Of his stomach is so much greater. Ills
swne-like snoutand sharp claws also give him pecul-
lar facilities for taking all kinds of creeping things that
injurious cultivated vegetables Crickets, grass
hoppers, Beetles all sorts of bugs, grubs and worms
field nice, &c, he eagerly captures their plumber
il, like him. they do their work iu the night. Or he
searches them in their retreat if they retire TO rest
by night. These his natural food and if he finds
them in plenty he will not plumber your eggs young
poultry, unless their manifest exposure offers very
strong iemptaon-though they are great luxury tc
him And all times, floor wall OF the thick
ness of Single and above the reach of his paws, is
an impossible barrier against him. Like the odiou:
rat, he cannot climb; he, like the rat with IN
firing perseverance, day and night, gnaw at the hardes
wood, to do mischief 1t is the easiest thing IN In
world therefore, protect poultry from him An'
what harm besides does any fear, from this Away
more snned against than SHINING creature. Perhap
a it is that he will wanionly assail him, and stencil hin
f OF house and home or spoil suit oil clothes 10
him. No, never! unless violently assault, and &C
tualy wound greatly terry him, he will not dis
j. charge his ammunition upon And II we Will lie
him alone, and permit dogs TO let him alone, (an
j. they always glad TO be excused from molesun
l. him. he will most certainly let us alone. Let Inn
play about your dooryard the evening he chooses
Q and pick the bones he may find there. lie Will b
. likely to keep of worse yisitants. And 1t b
chance TO enter your cellar your kitchen or your Pai
5 or even, as in summer his curiosity NAV lead nm
IF do let him alone and he will go out without doing an
l. harm Or If he seemed disposed TO act too lesure
:. about it, YOU have only 10 approach him gently y
:, fearlessly and take him up by his tall doing no vie
N lence to him, and you may carry him where you pleas
D. without the least danger to your best allure You car
n moi possby kill him instanianeousy, with gun, or clu
!, or stone or rudely force him out not fully to realis
,e your worst fears of him. For the most part as col
- scous of the repute in which he is held he shuns u
presence of man Ia winter he seldom ventures abroa
"a except Ia mild weather During the season IN wh
n insect life is active, he IS busy every night CONN.,
," forth in the twilight early in the evening and ram
IA ling through gardens and fields with somewhat M
re- Die movement, he diligently searches for his prey
cb the very eares, dawn, II before he returns TO
"a abode, which is quite likely to be under your oa
40 as any where else and there quietly sleeps all day
a. Nor will the continuous cackle of your fowls or
he chlrpinc Of their young tempt him TO the light oil d
The skunk is, probably much more common IN
B8 immediate vicinity this city, and elsewhere than
ha, is usually thought 10 be. Returning home al day
ian down. in summer, have occasionally seen him sc
an along the road and enter premises there to pass
ust night most usefuly TO the proprietor who II ne
,or conscious Of the fact, most likely would summon
van the dogs within whsilecsll TO take vengeance on
and vale intruder among his delicate flowers and plants
,s,. was myself brought up hate the skunk and To
ne stroy him whenever could. Many time when .
ire aler a DAYS work harvesting and an evening
80 b,skinr OF Al tie eider-mill, have famPed the
h zion round hour after hour, with gang OF farm la
she er, on the sole intent kIh unotend'ng skpnks
A. ,hsir useful lsbors-because, iorsooh, one OF the q
A once in aboo, siT eight years on an average IN
- ~ IA some situation peculiarly exposed by 'he me