The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-11-06

to lug his pets around by one paw, and
maui them about as the average
youngster mauls the animals intrusted
to his tender mercies, will find TO his
cost that the slender little rat-hunters
are capable of taking very excellent
care of themselves. They should be
lifted by the tail, and handled by the
back of the neck; though after they
have become accustomed to their
owner they will permit themselves TO
be handled to any reasonable extent,
and often grow quite atfectionate in
their way, though it is never advisable
to trust them too entirely, as they
sometimes take offense ON apparently
small provocation. After their meals
they are apt to be in better humor, and
will submit to more handling than
when hungry.
Great care should be taken not to
overfeed ferrets. Two meals day
one in the morning and one in tho
evening-are sufficient under ordinary
circumstances; and when hunting, one
light meal in the morning is all that
should be given. Rats, mice, rabbits
heads, chickens heads, and small
birds are the favorite food; raw meat
except liver-and bread and milk can
be added to the bill of fare. After eat
ing they go to sleep for an hour or
two, and will be somewhat lazy until
near the next feeding-time.
When hunting with ferrets they
should always be started in the rat
hole on the top floor of building, as
they hunt DOM. If building is in
tested with rats, it is well to have the
entrances to the holes in the cellar
guarded, as rats are afraid of ferrets,
and will run and make their escape
| before the ferrets have an opportunity
to kill them Their flexible bodies
and small heads enables them to 90
anywhere that a rat can go, and when
they tackle a rodent they kill and eat
it without delay. In hunting rabbits,
they drive them out of their holes,
and feel abundantly satisfied if they
are given the rabbit head as a reward
for their work For eXterminating
woodchucks, prairie-dogs, ground
squirrels, and gophers they have nc
equal.
The little ferret will march boldly
down into a woodchuck's burrow anC
drive out the clumsy inmate without
the slightest hesitation. In hunting
rabbits and outdoor game it has beer
the custom to muzzle the ferrets, but
this is a cruel and unnecessary prac
tice 1t is not fair to the ferret, tor i
he is attacked he has no means of de
Tending himself, and he will rarely
kill his game in the burrow. The fer
ret is a natural-born hunter, and soor
learns that being taken out of his per
and carried off in a basket means ;
hunting trip, and the little creatur,
looks forward to it with keen enthusi
asm.
Some owners Just tuck the ferret
into coat pocket when starting OF
the hunt, but small basket is Just a
convenient and a safer way of carry
ing them. They can readily be laugh
to come in answer 10 q whistle, like
D dog, and in a buihmg they general,
return to the pen of their own accord
The golden rule should be applied t.
the treatment of all pets, and with fer
rets this considerate iirmness is impeI
alive. "Do as you would be done by
remember the natural disposition @
the animals, and then try to put youl
self in their place, and think if yo
would like to be leased as you teas
them. Humor their natural inclina
: tions as far as you can, but make ther
: obey under all circumstances. Kee
, them clean, and feed them judiciously
and you will find that the graceful lit
: tie ferret is a most entertaining add
| ton to the list of pets.-Allan fOrmdf
} in Harper'S Young People.