The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-04-18
THEY ARE PRETTY PETS.
AND THERE IS GOOD MONEY IN
THEIR FUR AS WELL.
An Industry That Never VIII become
Popular. but ~ IL Profitable aud
la some Respects Very
Unique.

psoht would seem al first thought 10
be precluded by the nature OF the
animal and by the sensitiyeness OF
man. But such Is not the case. Abra-
lam Freeland. OF Homer. Mich. ac-
eording 10 the Chicago Herald has
demonstrated the practicability OF such
an enterprise and for three years has
carried on successfully a skunk farm.
Ordinarily skunks seem offensive, but
ffter this man has tempered with
them they become delightful pets. and
4 Is only then that the world realizes
how much it has missed in being so
,ong deprived of their companionship.
Mr.. Freeland started his business with
one male and eleven females, and at
the end of one year found that he had
seventy-two other skunks. both male
and female, In addition 10 the original
Of This rapid increase gave him IA
uggestive hint OF the possibilities OF
hunk culture. So he aidn't kill of any
his capital, but invested II, and at
g end OF three years finds himself In
,ssession OF nearly fourteen hundred
,unks, besides those he had killed.
'rhe prospect Is "a brilliant one, and
Sir. Freeland's skunk farm has become
permanent thing with no mean
profits In IL. The skunk's fur Is soft
and fine. and many dainty girl who
would fee IN horror from the loath-
some animal winds lovingly about her
white throat the fur OF the same little
beast. The black fur Is in most de-
mand, $40 being paid for single
skin.
The skunkery Is commodious place
IA park It's owner calls it-arranged
with view 10 the comfort OF its In
habitants. There are plenty OF little
coops ranged along the sides OF In
closures where the skunk keeps dry
and warm. The plat is laid out sys-
tematically, with food and water tanks.
play ground and burrows The ami
mails are tractable. and their owner
fondles them as one does kitten. In
his care of them he Is assisted by his
daughter. who has taught them TO
know their names SO when the girl
calls "Spotr Star" ''Nelliew
"Majew ''Jumbo?" they respond with
hlacrity and follow her about with
affectionate willingness.
When the kits" are few days old
Mr.. Freeland relieves them OF their
offensive defensive weapon. and they
grow up unconscious OF the obloquy
under which their kindred rest. They
are no longer tainted and make excel
lent pets. for they are pretty creatures
with their long, silky hair and bright
eyes not unlike a weasel, 10 whose
family they belong. Apair OF these pets
brings from $40 to $50. They are far
prettier than his snarling pugship and
without his viciousness.
The skunk's wooing time occurs to-
ward the end OF February. and by tho
LIST OF May the happy sire has on an
average thirteen hungry mouths to MI.
That Is. the uncivilized skunk has.
But here. in the skunk's refuge. his
food is provided for him. Mr.. Free
land contracts with the neighboring
meat markets for all their waste ma
terial. for which he pays 40 cents a
month. This with an occasional In
dian meal pudding. furnishes the table
OF the luxurious domestidlted skunk.
Mr.. Frecland Is humane man and be-
lieyes In the efficacy OF painless
death. so when he thinks skunks
skin Is more valuable 20 him than its
contents. he entices the animal into
one OF the little coops, where he chloro-
forms H.
The skin Is deity stripped from the
little carcass and soon becomes pelt
ready for market There Is plenty OF
fat ON the sides OF these well-fed skunks.
all of which Is carefully stripped away
and prepared like lard. forming skunk
oil. Fort Wayne, Ind, is the pre- sent
market for the hides. though other
markets can be supplied AS the industry
extends.
As 10 the profits OF the business at
the end OF the third year when |. 400
had been raised. he found that his in
yestment had declared him a dividend
OF 600 per cent. II his business and
dividends increase In like ratio for the
next ten years Me. Frceland will have
a corner on skunks and will find him
self rolling Ina wealth.
The pioneer In this new field Is an
intelligent farmer Of Calhoun county.
Tho novelty Of the business attracted
him. and he was quick TO see that there
was money 10 be- made In the enter
prise. The idea of making pets OF the
animals was original with him. and
This seems the most attractive feature
OF the work. Though the world may
feel no Unsuitable ycarning for new
kind OF pet. still the feeling that this
ostracised animal can be received on
an equal footing with the brindle cat
and Skye terrier Is certainly an at
tractive because novel ono.