Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1868-05-23

serving and progressive physician has
daily opportunities OF witnessing the
Same cure.
PROPAGATION OF MIHKs. -Ihcre is in
Casadago, ChautaUqua county, N. Y, a
ninkery, of sufficient size, to accommC-
date one hundred OF these fur-bearfng
animals. The arrangements are simple
and such as will eonduce to tie rapid,
safe and successful raising of the nta,tcgs.
The st of the female is very peculiarly
constructed with grass, leaves Of straw,
with a lining Of her own fur so firmly
compacted together, as to be with dii-
ticuitv torn in pieces. About the mid
die of March, the females are separated
from the males, until the young are
reared. The necessity for this arises
from the fact that the males seem inclin-
ed to brood the young almost as much
as the dam, when both are PERMITTED to
remain together.
The expense of feeding the animals is
almost nominal, being supplied pretty
much entirely from the offal of the farm
yard, with occasional woodchucks and
game in general. They eat this food
with equal avidity after decomposition
has taken place, devouring every particle
of flesh, cartilage and the softer bones.
The flesh and bones entire of the wood
chuck are consumed often at single
meal. While the expenses of keeping
is thus trivial, the profitable yield Of the
animal is comparatively immense, 1t be-
ing considered 4 moderate estimate to
claim that one mink with the increase
well equal the availes Of COW. Should
this calculation hold good, when the
7ropagation Of the mink is cgrrIed to a
larger scale, the business becomes one of
she most profitable in Il e world. So far,
experience with the undomrsticated mink
has not been satisfactory, as their shy
ness cannot be overcome, and they have
never obtained any increase from the
animals in their wild state. They have
to be taken when young and domestica-
ted.
KEEPING FURs-Darkness is ali that is
necessary to keep furs:: The "AIiller"
that deposits eggs from which moths are
hatched, only moves in light the moths
themselves work in darkness. Hang
the furs in very dark closet, and keep
the door shut; keep it always dark, and
you can have no trouble. But, as closet
doors are sometimes left open, the better
way is to enclose the articles loosly in
a paper box, but this in 4 pillow-case, or
wrap around with cloth, and hang i'll 4
dark closet. Camphor, spices or per-
fumes are Of no use. Continual darkness
is sufficient. And do not take out the
furs in June or July to give them an
I'''airing' for even then cometh the cne-
my, and it may be that in fifteen minutes
afterexposure, has deposited an hundred
I eggs. If you consider an airing lndls-
pensable, give the turs good switching
and put them quickly back.
A WRITER who says bis COW gives all
the milk that is wanted in a family OF
eight persons, and from which was made
200 pounds of butter in the year, gives
the following as his Treatment. lie says:
''If you desire to get large yield OF rleh
milk. give your COW three times day
water slightly warm, slightly salteo, ID
which bran has been stirred at the rate
of one quart TO two gallons OF water.
You will find, if you have not found this
by daily practice, that your COW will
oain twenty-five per cent, Immediately
9nder the effect Of it, and she will be-
come so attached to the diet as to refuse
to drink clear water unless very thirsty,
but this mess she will drink at almost
any time, and ask for more. The
amount of this drink is an ordinary wat
terpaii full each time, morning, noon
and night Your. animal will do then
her best at discou ting the lacteaI. Four
huudred pounds of butter are often OBJ
taincd from good stock, and instances are
mentioned where the yield was even at
higher figure" b"