New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-18
lODORLESS SKUNK FARM.
Hoe Tzuo Yankees Raise the 1na-
mails PrOftabIy.

Quambaug, in the village OF Mystic, TWO miles
from the centre. on rocky ledge of wooded
land which isn't worth much for ordinary farm
ing purposes. Calvin Wilcox and William Allen
the skunk farmers
When they planned to 20 into the skunk
farming business. eight years ago. the neigh
bors round about became more or less panic
stricken. for. though they had no intimate ac-
quaintance with the strOng-scented creature OF
the night, they knew or less of his capa-
bilities to perfume neighborhood on occasion
Some of the citizens of the Old village near
appealing to the selectmen to prevent what
they surely believed would be the esta blish-
ment of a nuisance but the seectmen were
wise in their day and generation, and said that
the nuisance could be stopped any time that it
became annoying.
Wilcox and Allen had insisted and argued
with their townspeople that they going to
! conduct an odorless skunk farm. but naturally
| they could not induce any one to take them
| seriously
| well, wait and see,' they said and went
about their business of skunk farming.
| Recently the writer paid visit 10 the odorless
skunk farm of Mystic. He had his doubts about
| the truthfuness of the part pertaining TO the
odor and took along. a precautiOn, cheap
suit of clothes. consisting OF pair OF jumpers
| and jacket. which cost 81 in the city of New
| London.
| constant shifting OF the crisp winter air for
the sign of skunk failed to locate the direction
| of the skunk farm, but inquiry of farm boy,
who driving a yoke of oxen to the cider
mill with load of apples. elected the inf)rrna-
tion that Cal Wicoxs skunkery is jest bout
mile er straight ahead. It's white house
on the left hand side of the road, settin IN a
yard full of rocks"
| cal" Wilcox was not at home He and his
| dog, Dick" the best skunk dog in Newton
don County, were away working on d bridge
and would not be back till night. But BIZ
Allen, Gals" partner. was about and he volun-
| teered TO show the writer over the odorless
| skunk farm.
| rs it really Odoress?' asked the writer.
| Don't smell nothin', do YEP grinned Allen.
as he led the way across the road. into the rock
lot, and over the ledge to little gully. down
near the edge Of the swamp.
Bet ye won't know when ye git to the
skunks.' said Allen. as he looked back over his
shoulder and whistIed for his skunk dog.
Barney" a shepherd half-brother to car
WilcoN's skunk dog, Dick"
Here We be. Smell anything" asked Allen
Want to go in?" grinned BILL" his mouth
opening wide as he gave huge grunt of salts
faction at the writer's not knowing when he
reached the skunkery.
Allen unlocked paddock that ran through
hasp in the door to the skunk building The
building was wooden structure facing to the
southwest ABOUT elSnJSen feet long. eight wide,
and six feet high in front. sIopng to four and
a half feet n the rear. There was only one
window in the house, facing to the front
through which the morning sun was casting
its rays on the floor inside. The floor was OF
boards and the boards was i COVERING, OF
leaves and dried grass
Take a look in" said Allen. throwing the
door to the skunkery open invitingly. InvoI-
UNFAIRLY, the writer stepped back a few steps
why. they won't hurt you. They're asleep
way over in the this time O. day Take
a look said Allen.
Edging his way shyly to the open door the
| writer took peep into the skunkhouse Away
over in one corner. huddled into 4 bunch were
half a hundred skunks. smuggling up as close
to each other as peas in a pod. some partly COW
cred with leaves. and others almost concealed
by the bodies of their brother and sister slunks
There were black skunkS there, quarter strfpes
half stripes and white skunks. The little ami
mails did not appear to be frightened at all They
poked their pointed noses up in the air and
shifted COnlentedly, wondering why they were
being disturbed early in the morning lust ar
the hour when they were taking their beauty
sleep.
| why, them skunks are as harmless as
kitchen cats" said Allen Step in and git a
close look at them. Don't smell nothin' do ve?-
| And there was no odor about exceDt tb,t r,DE