The record-union., 1895-05-20
ANOTHER SKUNK FARM.
\ West Virginia Man to Raise th
Animals for 1hsil. Palrs

4 West Virginia Man to Raise the
Animals for Their Pelts.
Robert G. Miller has leased an acre of
ground just north Of Shepherdstown, w.
Va. aud will try skunk farming there,
says a correspondent OF the New York
Sun. He has been dealing in skunk
hides for several years past, and has
shipped as many as 800 pelts from this
place i'll a single season. He has con-
cluded that it will pay to raise skunks.
There are several skunk farms in the
United States one in New Jersey, one in
Ohio, another in Pennsylvania, near
Pittsburg-and MIR. Miller has been in
correspondence with their proprietors
concerning the business. According to
their advice. he will start operations with
about fifty animals.
The skunk is not much of clim Der,
but is rather good at digging. In build
ing the inclosure for the farm, Miller will
therefore construct a board fence about
three feet underground of stout oak
planks; above ground will be twelve
inch plank above which will be two feet
of wire netting: this will be surmounted
by another plank nailed flat to the top of
the posts and projecting on the inside. A
fence about three feet high does not seem
much of barrier, but it is said that the
animals will not be able to get over it. 1t
is not thought there will be much danger
Of any one breaking it from the outside.
Sheds will be built to serve as hiding
places and protection from the weather
The animals will be fed upon otfal from
butcher-shOps, and refuse OF similar
character. Carrion suits them very we'll,
but their steady diet is worms, larvae,
and insects. They feed usually at night,
remaining in strict secldsion during the
day. The female skunks bear two litters
a year-in May and Septemb ber-and
there are from six to twelve in each litter.
The young attain full growth in about
three months. The hides are salable only
when taken in winter. The skunks are
usually black, but some have white spots
or q broad white mark along the back
from head 10 tail. The black ones are
most valuable. their hides selling at from
81 to 81 70 each. There is little demand
for the spotted skins, which sell as low as
eighteen cents. BY constantly killing off
the spotted ones the flock will ir time
breed to Jet black. Mr.. Miller sells the
pelts in New York to manufacturing fur
riers, who make them up into various
OF wear. The demand for good pelts is
constant.
skunks to stock the farm use steel traps.
They need no bait, as the traps are placed
at the entrance to the dens, and the ami
mails are caught by the foot as they come
out. 1t is not an altogether pleasant job
to transfer the little beasts from the trap
to the bag. One has to be careful beside
to escape being bitten.
The outcome of the new industry is
awaited with some anxiety by the people
OF the neighborhood. They hope to sec
financial success. provided it is not ac-
companied by unpleasant effects. Miller
atiirrns that there need be no alarm The
skunk can be famed. he says, and kept as
pet Whether Miller will make for
tune by his queer venture or whether
Shepherds.owpers will get mad and
dump the entire farm over the cliffs into
the Potomac River is an open question.