The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-03-24
On a Skunk Farm.

On SKUNK Farm.
In the northern part of Connecticut,
close to the Massachusetts line and
near a settlement of Shakers, is a
skunk farm, which is run by two
young farmers. with a profit to them
selves il with discomfort to their
neighbors. This locality had always
been greatly troubled by skunks, and,
after warning against them incessant-
ly, these two farmers, John and Jo-
seph King, decided to make a blessing
out OF evil and capture the slSunks for
market. AS skunk skins are worth
from 40 cents to $3.50 apiece, they de-
cided to trap the animals and market
their pelts. SO they set their traps
and waited, but in considerable time
only few Of the little black-and-white
creatures were caught, so the method
was deemed too slow a one to be re-
munerative, and the King brothers
decided to hunt them
The plan they follow is this Just
as 1t is growing dark they go forth
into the fields with a courageous but
discreet dog. A number of skunk holes
are visited in succession. The dog
shifts around each hole, and it does
not take him long to decide whether
the skunk is at home or not. Ii the
skunk has gone out he starts on it's
trail until he comes within a safe dis
lance of it. Then he bays long and
loud, and the two farmers creep
swiftly up and usually find the little
animal sitting on it's hind legs, medi-
tating humiliation to the dog. While
the skunk is thus occupied one of the
farmers sneaks behind it and drops
net over it. The net is made of bar
rel hoop, over which is stretched a
meal bag, and the whole is fastened
to short handle. AS soon as this net
is dropped over the skunk it jumps in
to the top of the bag and the hoop is
scooped carefully under it and it is
lifted into the air in the net. Then
the neck of meal bag which the other
farmer carries is opened and the
small bunch OF fur is slipped into it.
There the animal curls up and gives
no further trouble. After the hunt
has lasted about three hours the men
return home, generally bringing sew
eral skunks with them, and as a
aood-sized animal weighs from ten to
twelve pounds, the burden of carrying
them is not an easy one.
The pelts of these animals are only
valuable in cold weather If killed be-
fore October the skin will be blue on
the under side. Later it will become
white, and bring much higher price
in the market. But it is not always
winter months, so the Kings hunt
them in the summer and keep them
carefully until it is cold enough for
them to be slaughtered When these
men first caught the skunkS they were
turned into a home made of an old
hencoop, with yard enclosed up with
wire. Boards and tin were sunk into the
ground to keep the creatures from
digging out. This was an acceptable
home to the skunks, but persons living
in the vicinity of the skunk farm COM
planned that at no time was the air
fit to breathe, so the animals were re-
moved to the barn.
Into the barn the skunks are shaken
from the bag when the farmers return
from hunt. In boxes in the centre
of the floor and in corners, skunks are
to be seen piled in heaps fast asleep.
They are fed every evening, and eat
nearly everything that is meat. They
are given bits of muskrat and rabbit,
and the carcasses of all small animals.
The King brothers have fondness for
the creatures, and say that each one
has an individuality of it's own. When
the men go into the barn the skunks
rub against them and squeal and tum-
BILE about like pampered kittens. The
Kings monkey with the buzz saw" by
picking the animals up by the tail.
1t is said that this is an easy thing
to do if it is done quickly, and with
Jerk, but most visitors are willing to
take the Kings word for it without
trying the experiment themselves.
The fur dealers send agents through
out the country each fall to secure
skunk pelts, and the Kings expect to
make about $50 on their pets this sea-
son. In few weeks they will be
killed by shooting them with re-
volver. and their skins will go on the
walls to dry and wait for the agents..
New York Tribune.