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About The gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925 | View Entire Issue (July 9, 1914)
10 HOME ANT) FARM MAGAZINE SECTION Three Millions of Dollars From Skunk Skins Suggestions For Raking the Animals as a Source of Income. THREE MILLIONS FOS SKUNKS THE skunk brings annually to the trappers of the United States about j,uuu,uuu. It stands second in Importance only to the muskrat Hnuintr or f ur-bearing animals. The value of a bkuiik asm in the raw fur market averaged from abont 25 centa tn a .in in December, 1913, and usually runs l. i ii.i i... - Signer. Aitnoogn tnis fur is not very popular in America, Europeans favor it because it wears well and has a luster which makes it rival the Russian sable in appearance. These facte are empha sized in the new farmers' bulletin (No. 587) now being sent out by the TJ. s! Department of Agriculture, which may be had free on application by those who are interested in the "Economic Value of North American Skunks." Thirteen states now protect the skunk by game laws, and a fuller understand ing of the ceonomie value of these erea ' tures to agriculture, as well as to com merce, will no doubt result in protec tive measures in other localities. The earliest legislation for the protection Of these little animals grew out of ap peals from hop growers in New York because of their value in killing the hop borer. This was in 1893 and since then laws have been passed for their protec tion in Maine, New Hhampshire, Ver mont, New York, New Jersey, Dela ware, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, and North Carolina. The closed season for the skunk varies in the different states, but in the - opinion of the author of this bulletin it i hoold be extended to at least nine nonths in every case, for at. there is a scarcity of fur animals and the increased demand for furs has put higher premium on its pelt Unless given more adequate protection, it can not long survive a high premium. In advising this dose season it should be understood that the right of . farmers to destroy individual predatory skunks should always be reserved. i Returned to Us as Alaska Sable, j London is a great market for Ameri can skunk skins. In 1858 over 18,000 skins of this aimal were exported to London; in 1911, over 2,000,000. Al though only a small percentage ef our skins are now dressed and made up here, we have received in vears rat. good number of them back after they nave peen maae up abroad, and many American ladies who would scorn to wear a skunk skin have been proud of ineir imported "black marten" or "Alaska sable" which WAR niarelv thn American skunk far more attractively lautueu. The process of dressing the skunk skin and removing any lingering odor has been improving year by year and meanwhile the fur has been gaining popularity. The present extreme scar city of Russian sable because of a law that forbids the taking of that fur favors the foreign market for the skunk and even in this country the use of its kin is increasing. Profitably Raised for Their Fur. The recent high prices for skunk skins nave leo to a discussion of the subject of skunk raising on a commercial basis. Although some breeders have encoun tered difficulties, on the whole there are good reasons for believing that a profitable industry may be developed. Skunks are less wild than other mem bers of the family to which the more important small fur bearers belong and their diet permits a good deal of ltti tude in feeding, whereas, the marten and the mink require a diet almost ex clusively of meat The problem of pro viding pens for rearincr thnm iu. less complicated in the ease of the skunk. An incloseure for skunks should oc cupy a well-drained, sandy hillside. i-t- 1 11. " " 7 paruy snaaea oy trees, and partly open inuu CUVBIX'U Wlin BTaasML An i.r. in afford room for about 50 adult skunks. a tnree-foot fence made of poultry net ting and having an overhanmnw hurrin. at the top is sufficient to confine the animals. The wire should be of No ifi gauge, and the nettins of mesh. This low fence, however, is not sufficient to keep out dogs, unless the overhang is very laree and extends on both sides. Manv hmAiWa rta. . tight fence of boards or sheet iron or even a stone wall. The fence should penetrate the ground to a depth of two or mree leet to prevent the skunks from digging under it Beside the general inelosure, a sepa rate breeding pen for each female should be provided. Chean hnTPS with wooden floors will serve every purpose, oui tney must be dry inside. Contact with the soil improves the fur but damp ness must be guarded against Will Eat Most Anything. Meat, fish, insects, bread, cooked and even raw vegetables, -and ripe fruits are racinaoa in tne great variety of foods which skunks will eat Table scraps win Keep tne animals in good condi tion, and the food for a larere skunk raneh may often be procured from ho tels when usually it will cost nothing dm tne labor of removing it Espe cially to be recommended are cakes and musn maae or corn meal and bits of meat, fresh milk, cooked erran enrn and hominy. Little more than the amount of food required for a cat will supply the wants of a skunk. While skunks usually breed bnt nnea a year in captivity, oceasoinally a sec ond litter is produced. One mala nhntild be kept for from five to eight females. ine mating season is in February or early March. The youne are usually born in May and are mature with prime iur in ueeember. Uareful selection year by year will result in a better made of fur and in three or four generations it is possible to secure a strain of skunks the furs of which wiT. all grade "No. 1." A No. 1 fur will bring from $2 to $3.50 or more in the New York market As skunks inhabit most Darts of the Unitid States, they may usually be ob tained in the neighborhood where it is desired to breed them. The best method is to dig the young out of their dens in the summer. Additional data of in-, terest to the sknnk raiser mav be had: in the new bulletin which iriv.:n din- grams to aid him in making an inelosure ior tne animals. In capturing the wild skunk for its fur. trapping is a better method than shooting, for shootine impairs the value of the fur and generally results in its Demg aeiiea. SKunkg are neither sus picious nor cunning and are easily trapped. They are often caught in un baited traps placed in the paths they travel; yet the head of a fowl, a spar row or a dead mouse makes an excel lent bait. Skunks when tranned dn nnt often discharge their scent so as to de file the fur, but care is needed in re moving them from the trap. you have surf bathing in the oeean; still water swimming in the hv. mmm. tain climbing; hunting; trout fishing, up any one or the five rivers flowing into the Bay; salmon trolling; deep-sea fishing; boatine on the bay. and An many otner things we would tire you in the telling. You can spend the en tire summer at this wonder spot and never want for something to do, or a pmue to go. iew resorts can boast nf a Wot. equal to that of Bayocean. From Tilla mook Bay to Cape Mears, a four-mile course, the beach extends, smooth, hard white sand, 800 feet in width at low tide in the summer. The surf i iaoi for bathing and a rowboat can be safe ly launched in it Do not confuse Bavncaan with oiuer resort in this part of the country. iue wnoie idea is different Think of a summer resort with hnrd.i,rfa.0j streets and sidewalks; electric lights, pure mountain water; telephone; a high-grade hotel (not a boarding house); a $75,000.00 Natatorium with a tank 50x1 B0 ft til utbi.. ..n - ". naiiu DUlk water and containing th lntnt .. der, artificial surf, so real in its action m to iooi oio weptune himself; amply stocked stores, clean amusements, inter esting side trips, natural beach attrac tions, all are here awaiting those who seek an outine. whether fnr n fnm a-,,. or for the entire summer. Place such a resort in the Mnt.nr nf all natural attractions that appeal to you, and you have Bayocean situated on the high-wooded peninsula which forms Tillamook Bav. Tha one side with a clean, hard beach, the beautiful Bay on the other side, three nuien wme and seven miles long. At the south Cape Mears mountain raising its wooded sides hieh ahnvn thn an p. rounding hills and ending in a rocky promontory, extending half a mile into the ocean, pierced by mnv na. tonding their winding passages hun dreds of feet into the solid rock. Now, don't say "all this miirht h. true, but I doubt it." Dnn't u.in- t some "friend" with an axe to grind who tells yon not to bfllipva it Tf can bring the people of the Northwest ra a urn realization of what bayocean really means to them, as individuals, and what an asset it is to their com munity, we will have accomplished our purpose. In closing, we want tn nr mn t spend your summer vacation at Bay ocean, and we can promise you the most delightful Outing of your life. Don't postpone cominff this vonr h. cause you think your friends are going emewnere, ior when summer comes you will find them all at Bayocean. Don't hesitate to apply at 722 Corbett build ing, Portland, for information, as you will not be imDortunnd in hnv We have none for sale. (Advt( EC EE EE EE (EBBED 88 85 BE BB (HQ WBBBBB8 PSS Hotel SAVOY 6BATTLB "TW SorlM at BU4 Cumimrf la the center of thing theatres and torei on both ablet Building absolutely fireproof concrete, steel and marble. BDtorEAitrua iirDir0 Rooms $1.00 per der ap Bee ma with prirata bath $2.00 up What do you think OF THIS? 3,000,000 Acres FINE FREE HOMESTEADS Montana Deeded Lauds 18 to $40 an Acre Ready for the plow. Yields 30 to 60 bu. wheat Oats, barley, flax, hay, etc., in proportion. Finest Inland Climate. Land Sold on Crop Payment Plan. Low fare Homeseekers ' Ex cursions on first and third Tuesdays of each month. Immigration Bureau, C, M. & ST. P. EY. 2nd and Cherry, Seattle, Wash. C -London 1ICC"Evelyii Thaw" Tango" Necklace Bracelet The forest service has been rennoti to co-operate with tha of Coos Bay. Wash., in nlnn . - . r--" "-"6 "w uuii- trol shifting sand dunes. These two beautifnl ni ular iewelrv are tha cr&xn imnmr an xiety woman in New York and the largest cities. They are neat and ele gant gold finished articles that will gladden the heart of every girl or women, no matter how young or old. Vory stylish and attractive. Our Free Offer W onari;; Spearmint Chewing Gum and desiro to place a big box of this fine, healthful gum into every home. It sweetens the breath whitens the teeth and aids di gestion. It is refreshing and pleasing to all. To every one sending us but 50e and 10 cents to cover shipping costs we will ahln n hior Knr nf OA c packages of the Spearmint Gum aud in clude the elegant, 'Taneo" Necklace una '"-pi- Thaw" Bracelet absolutely free. This offer is fnr a nhnrt Hmo nnl Not more than 2 nnWa tn m Dealers not allowed to accept this. UNITED SALES COMPANY 'Dayton, Ohio. p. o. Box 10L Bayocean and Its Attractions EVERY place where members of the human race congregate has seme special attribute, else that particu lar locality would be left to primeval wilderness or barren waste. Man is quick to accept the good things which nature nas placed tor his use. Whether it be soil rich in the elements for plant growth, pastures of succulent grasses for his stock, mineral laden sands, forest-covered hills, granite or marble wealth in mountain fastnesses, a pro tected harbor, an accessible shipping point, or merely a play ground where he may rest and enjoy a health restor ing climate, man will find that spot and make of it a gathering place for his fellowmcn. Bayocean is primarily a pleasure re-1 sort, a play ground, where all who come aro welcome to ' share in the abundance of pure sunshine, the in vigorating ocean breezes; in rambles over green hills, through virgin forests; in the boating, fishing and bunting; in surf bathing or a plunge in the warmer waters of Tiliamook Bay. Bavocean is destined to be the "Play ground of the Tacifie Northwest." Few bch re sorts have so varied an assortment of attractions for the uleasure seeker. Nono have the unequaled combination of ocean beach and inland jay. No convenience has been overlooked for the comfort of the thousands who will find rest and recreation at Bavocean during tho coming summer season. With Bayocean as your summer headquarters, i OPPORTUNITY! Here is an unusual opportunity for you to make an investment. Do you want to make big profits? Sure! You want to place your savings in a good invest ment where you can also make a big profit. We Offer you a Winner! ? OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY DO NOT DRAW AND WILL SSLSM ANl 8ALABIES commissions. waSZaZttot a wTI'.,Cmanjr 18 incorporated in Oregon. ITS BUSINESS AND MINE HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BT CORPORATION DEPART- gStedF Ant11 BLYB SKY W AND LICENSE 5r D; AU our statements cm be verified. Don't wait INVEST NOW. Call on ua or write for descriptivs matter. DO IT NOW1 The California Consolidated Mines Co. 63 Sixth Street, Portland. a W. MANNING, President. The California Consolidated Mines Co,- 63 Sixth Street, Portland, Oregon. GENTLEMEN: Please send complete Information about your mines. ...Name. .Address. PC
