Seward daily gateway., 1932-10-06

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 Many people have asked A, w, Bennett Alaska Fur Corporation, Kodiak about the raccoon planted on Long Island some three years ago, and as these are the first Eastern raccoons transpianted di- rectly from the interior of the United States and turned at large to hustle for themselves in an en- tirely different environment, both in climatic conditions and natural foods, 1t Is no wonder that they have created great deal of natur- al curiosity as to the outcome, but they have survived and thrived and multiplied, producing a far su- perior fur to any of the raccoon skins that Mr. Bennett says he looked aver at: the big fur auctions in St: Louis and New York. They have an entirely different looking pelt. Instead of the usual stiff, hairy, rough fur, with the belly practically bare, they are as silky and fluffy and as heavily furfed as fine interior fox, the fur ex- tending clear around the body about the same as a good fox, and not just the back as the outside raccoons are furred, the belly of them being a complete waste.
 One of the leading furriers of New York City informed MT. Bennett that there was at least twice as much manufacturable fur on the specimens of Alaskan raccoon belts shown him as there was on the ordinary raccoon, and that they would make a very high grade neck scarf. This turned out to be true as some were made up that way, and they were very beautiful Many people expressed the opinion that they liked them better than foxes.
 The Alaskan raccoon tails are ex- ceptionally beautiful
 MT. Bennett says that he has been instructed by the furriers to skin these raccoons in the same manner that a high grade fox is handled that is to case them, which is skinning out the hind legs and peeling the skin over the head, instead of just splitting the stomach and skinning out in the same manner as a beef, which is the way the outside raccoons are handled, as the back is about the Cnly part saved.
 The reason for pelting the ami mafs as suggested is that these Alaskan raccoons can be made into beautiful neck pieces.
 Each generation seems to i'm prove materially better than it's progenltors. In fact, it looks very much as though the differences in cllmate and feed have completely changed the animals pelt appear ance, and they also gain an unusu- al size, some weighing, by conserv- atlVe estimate, at least 40 pounds The flesh is very clean and whole some looking, tasting very similar to cub bear, and being very rich in lat. It is very fine roasted with sweet potatoes, which fact has been proven conclusively. It is also fine fox and mink feed. The raccoon thrlves equally well in pens and make very interesting and affec- tlonate pets and show intelligence to the monkey.
 A number have been penned up to have on hand for quick shipment to possible buyers and these have lived in very crowded quarters on practically straight fish diet, on which they have thriven and seem very contented. They eat prac- tlcally anything, being especially fond of table scraps, vegetables, fruits, etc.
 But the coons turned loose to rustic their own living have kept In the finest shape imaginable, even thru the hardest part of the winter. They are fully able to provide for hemsenves and their increases if left completely to
 their own resources. Nor do they