San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-03-24
DOMESTIC SEAL CULTURE,
A SCHEME TO REAR FUR SEALS IN
TIE GREAT LAKES.

a SCHEME TO REAR FUR SEALS IN
TIE GREAT LAKES.
From the Toledo Blade.
"The time is not far distant" said
John Farrent recently. when a new
industry will be inaugurated in this
country, and that is the raising of
seals. A seal is not alone valuable as
a fur-producing animal, but it will
yield from eight to twelve gallons of
oil. The seal has great confidence in
man. II may be readily tanned, and
is very docile animal. 1t exhibits
much affection tor its keeper, and is
more intelligent than the dog.
"You look as though you doubted
the practica ability of such an enter
prise" he remarked to the reporter.
"Well, you will remember few
years ago some men in California de-
termined to go into the ostrich bust
ness. People all over the United
States thought they were mission
aries, but nevertheless they expended
a good deal of money in sending to
Africa for Ostriches and bringing
them to California. Several of them
died while being transported, but
there was a sufficient number OF them
left to give the industry fair trial.
Even after the birds began to lay
eggs people in California said the pro-
jectors of the enterprise had thrown
their money away. But incubation
went on satisfactorily and the young
Ostriches came out i'm healthy cOndi-
ton, and it was not long until all ad-
mitted that it was a success. More
Ostriches Were brought from Africa,
and the industry tlourished to such
degree that the authorities i'll A frica
Issued an order preventing the taking
of any more Ostriches out of the
country. There are plenty of these
birds in California now, as large Shd
fine as the best specimens found in
A friCa.
1.-The seal industry promises as good
results as ostrich farming. They may
be successfully raised in any of the
western lakes. They would do well
in Lake Erie. The small islands and
rocky prOminences in the lake would
be just the places for them to come
out and bask III the sun. They are
very fond of getting out on rock and
warming themselves in the sun.
THE difficulty in the way of secur-
ing the full benefit of the increase of
seals after they had been placed in
the lake, would be that as they are d
migratory animal, many of them
would make their way TO Canadian
waters, and this fact would make it
Improbable for those who would 90
into the enterprise.
"But there are many goOd-sized
10 N u Ha
very suitable for the introducing OF
seals and their rapid increase.
Rocky prominences might be made
about the center of any one of these
lakes, as basking places, and the in
dustry would flourish from the start.
They would soon learn to go regular
ly to a given place for their food. 1t
would be an immensely profitable en-
terprse.
"Some people have an idea that a
seal will not thrive excepting in a
very cold climate. This is mistake.
They will thrive in any fresh water
lake. In the Pacific Ocean, off the
coast OF California, there is prom
ineDce. and there are many seals
there. They are protected by law.
1t must be remembered that it is
warm there.
During the winter months cheap
house tor protection could be built on
the edge of the lake, to which the
heals could come for air. as they must
save this. Then houses would be
necessary while the lake was frozen
over. \ seal can stay under the
water from fifteen to twenty minutes,
when it must come to the surface for
air.
"PIease remember what l tell you,
that within the next few year the
seal industry will he inaugurated in
Michigan, aud it will come to stay
and make big money for the men VINO
invest in it, aud YOU need not live
many years TO see Toledo ladies wear
ing seaIskin sacUos from se3'~ raised
lu li.nU.guu Iakes.'
in buying or selling property al
/ ways DO business with q reliable firm.
Call on John Z. HambletOn x Co.