St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-08-20
ITHACA FUR COMPANY'S PART.
There are 1000 Skunks In an Eight-Acre
Enclosure.


farming, its plant" its interesting ami
mails and their products, together with
all the necessary accompaniment to
conduct the business successfully. 1t is
hoped brief description of what was
seen will interest all who peruse this,
especially the ladies, who delight in wear
ing the excellent fur OF these little ami
mails under various names of expensive
turs of animals now nearly extinct; but
what's in a rose except it's scent, and
what's in a skunk butts fur and oil?
ride of seven miles by carriage from
this college town brought the party Of
investigation to the object of their curl
osity The natural habitation of the
skunk is in some mound or spookish
place, as the cellar of abandoned houses
and under the floors of deserted barns, in
quiet, out-of-the-way places. Country
graveyards are their favoritc haunts,
and not few youth have been seriously
frightened by seeing these stealthy ami
mails, on moonlight nights, stalking
about among the gravestones as dark
and silent as the shadows of the stones.
In all of these respects this skunk farm is
admirably located, for a more lonely and
weird spot would be hard to find. 1t is
on plateau 800 feet above the level of
a valley and has as background
steep hillside. 1t is adjacent to small
settlement that in years gone by was
known by the suggestive name of
"Skunk's Misery" Whether it was this
name that suggested the location of the
enterprise here did not transpire, but it's
promoters certainly had regard for the
eternal fitness OF things" Of the so
acres constituting the farm, eight are
already parked and as much more under
construction. On entering the grounds
and being informed by the manager that
we stood within stones throw of 1000
or more Of these animals, all Of whom
were liable to make their appearance at
any moment, vivid recollections of a pre-
vious encounter with one of these beasts
and it's sickcning atmosphere of stencil, it
was enough to make ones hair creep and
wish himself good distance away; but
on the assurance of the manager that
there was no danger, fears quoted down
and investigation began. There certainly
was no olfactory evidence that skunk
had ever been in or about the premises.
The burrows are made by digging
trenches into the side hill about eight
feet, the bank end of which is a little
higher than the front end, to prevent
water running in. Three boards 1C
inches wide and eight feet long are nailed
together and placed in the trench, thu
open side down. The trench is filled
with earth, and the back end is ther
about three feet under ground and ready
for the occupants, who arrange the inside
to suit themselves; but they must b.
provided with dried grass fine hay o.
leaves to fashion into nests.
j., The size and location of the inclosur
:, having been determined, a ditch thre
feet deep is dug around it, and then ;
stone or grout wall is laid. Upon thi
:, wall tight board fence six feet high i
built, with cupboard projecting inward
| . ba Ell, ,,lyc cl ,h,rn ont Tn
:. feed and cook house is in the inclosure
- 1t is 20 by 60, built on stone founda
;, ton, with apertures left in the wall tt
!, permit the animals ingress and egress
One end OF this room is partitioned of
and used as a cook room, the floor o
=. which is cemented. The iced is refus
meat and bones from the butcher, tn
!, milk of two cows and mush made o
:, wheat bran. The meat must be ire
=, from faint, and it is cooked. Pure run
ming water in the Enclosure is absolutel,
II necessary. A study of the habits ant
!, characteristics of these animals is inter
+ esting. They hibernate during winter
9 only making their appearance at rar
n intervals when the weather is mild. I'm
q like other farm stock" they require nj
feeding in cold weather when the torme
= need the most. They have only on
. weapon of defense, and that is never vis
/. BILE, but it is powerful enough to blin'
n and paralyze an OK for the time being
4 Strange as it may seem, there was not
6 scent of these animals about tn
- premises. They have become as tame a
l. kittens. Care has to be observed il
" walking among them. If one SHOULD
.. happen to be stepped on he might resen
the indignity to a persons great dis
9 comfort, and the ruination of his wear
10 ing apparel. They can be handled wit
&C impunity il the tail is used as handle
4 The superintendent picked up one an
e handed it toward lady Of the visiting
party, saying: Here is beauty; jus
heft it." The request was declined wit
a little shrek and a stammer, whic
were interpreted to mean, "Thanks
. awfully" 1t is said skunks cannot emf
# their scent unless they have somethin
* they can grasp firmly with their claws
\ | C>t- t. IL. Co. 4