FUR FARMING SECTION
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY
This section is open for discussion of anything pertaining
to fur farming.
Information concerning stock, site, house and pen con
struction, equipment, cost, breeding, mating, feeding, cooking
recipes, sanitation, prevention of contagious diseases, disinfec
tion, trapping, killing, pelting, marketing, packing, shipping
and other notes are welcomed for publication,—with due credit
to the author.
This section is intended to be the common meeting ground
for fur farmers. Interchange of ideas, helpful information, con
structive suggestions anent these particulars should readily
solve vexatious problems of fur farming. Readers are urged
take advantage of this section and help The Gateway fostei fui
farming throughout Alaska.
ITS TREATMENT AND CONTROL
Whenever a fox develops the
slightest wheeze, rattle, or other
evidence of lungworm infestation,
it should be promptly moved to
clean and dry quarters, where the
picking up of infective lungworm
eggs will be reduced below the dan
ger point. The animal should be
kept in such quarters until after
it has made a complete recovery.
It is important that patients be
taken out badly infested pens as
soon as possible, because the soon
er the picking up of lungworm is
stopped the better are the chances
of recovery. Satisfactory types of
hospital pens for foxes undergoing
treatment are as follows:
1. Self-cleaning pens provided
with heavy-guage one-inch mesh
wire floors set about 18 inches
above ground.
2. Concrete, asphalt, or board
floor pens that are well drained
and so made that they can be read
ily and effectively cleaned.
3. Earth bottom pens placed on
well-drained virgin soil preferably
sand, or where the old contaminat
ed soil has been removed, safely
disposed of, and replaced with
clean sand or fine gravel.
The hospital pens should be no
less than 12 feet long and six feet
wide; otherwise the patients will
not be afforded a fair chance of
keeping in good condition, much
less recovering from the ill effects
. of lungworms. It is important also
that they be kept scrupulously
clean, particularly as regards fecal
material. All manure should be
thoroughly cleaned up each day
and safely disposed of. During
ireezing weamer earin-ootcom nos- i
pital pens should, at monthly in- I
tervals, be moved to clean ground
or the soil in them changed.
The patients should be placed on
a palatable and nutritious diet and
fed liberally. Good feeding is es
sential to building up resistance.
Apparently no one has yet succeed
ed in finding a drug that is both
safe and effective against lung
worms in foxes or any other ani
mals. Every now and then there
are persons who claim to have dis
covered such a remedy, but thor
ough investigation invariably has
demonstrated that these remedies
are either ineffective or more in
jurious to the patient than to the
parasite. Some of the so-called
lungworm medicines sold for the
treatment of foxes, as well as some
that have been recommended for
the treatment of other kinds of
animals, have been tested at the
U. S. Fur-Animal Experiment Sta
tion, and without exception all
were found ineffective against
lungworms in foxes. Moreover, the
injection of drugs into the wind
pipe or lungs is an exceedingly
dangerous measure and is to be
avoided by the average fox farmer.
Within the past few years there
have come on the market two dis
tinct types of tracheal swabs for
the treatment of lungworm-infest
ed foxes. The first of these is a
rather crude and unsatisfactory
outfit consisting of a heavy and
long galvanized-wire handle on the
end of which is fastened a small
piece of sponge. This swab is passed
down the windpipe through a small
piece of rubber tubing and the
windpipe swabbed out with the
sponge.
The other device is really a com
bination tracheal syringe and tra
cheal swab, the latter having a
sponge-capped brush on its end.
When this instrument has been
passed down the windpipe, the
plunger of the syringe is inserted
so as to protrude the brush from
the thimble-like structure on the
end of the long syringe-nozzle, as
well as to inject simultaneously a
liquid preparation into the lungs.
Extensive tests have been made at
the Experiment Station of this in
strument. Findings indicated that
it possesses one feature of consid
erable value in the diagnosis and
treatment of lungworm infestation
in foxes, in that the brush portion
of the swab usually removes prac
tically all the lungworms it reach
es. In critical tests on 10 foxes
that were killed 12 to 24 hours after
treatment, the brush removed 116
(38.4 per cent) of the 302 lung
worms present in the windpipe,
bronchi, and bronchioles. There
were only 24 worms left in the
windpipe, all of these being in
three particularly long-bodied ani
mals in which the instrument
failed to reach to the farthest end
of the windpipe.
Observations indicate that the
common lungworms of foxes tend j
to work gradually up into the wind- !
pipe from the air passages in the
lungs. For this reason, the periodic
treatment of foxes, at intervals of
10 days to two weeks, eventually
removes all lungworms present,
provided reinfestation is effective
ly prevented.
Clinical tests of the instrument
have yielded encouraging results.
Although the judicious use of tra
chael swab at intervals of two
weeks appears greatly to hasten re
covery of patients, such treatment
is not of much value if the pa
tients are allowed to stay on badly j
infested ground. Best results are j
obtained when the instrument is ;
ised as a supplement to good feed
ng, care, and sanitation.
The passage of tracheal swabs is
a delicate surgical operation at
tended with great danger unless
certain important surgical and san
tary precautions are observed. For j
this reason, it is strongly advised *
that the use of one of these in- j
;truments be undertaken only by a
iompetent and skilled veterinarian j
vho has had considerable exper- |
ence in the use of either tracheal i
jwabs or bronschoscopic instru- i
nents. Some of the precautions ad- j
/ised in the use of tracheal swabs j
on foxes are as follows:
1. Perform the operation under
as sanitary conditions as possible,
preferably in a clean operating
room where both hot and cold run
ning water are available.
2. Thoroughly clean and steril
ize the entire instrument before
using, as well as between each suc
cessive patient.
3. Provide a separate brush for
each patient.
4. Soften the brushes by soaking
hem in boiling water for at least
5 minutes just before using.
5. Pass and withdraw the in
itrument slowly and very gently;
lever use force.
6. Do not treat a patient often
;r than once a week.
7. Use a good speculum and be
>ure that the animal is well re
strained while the instrument is
leing passed.
The treatment of lungworm
trouble in foxes is a matter requir
ing considerable time, patience, and
?,lose attention to details of sani
tation. Although some patients
may show marked improvement
within a couple of weeks after be
ing treated with a tracheal swab
and placed in special Sanitary
quarters, it usually requires from
one to three months to cure com
pletely a ratler or wheezer, if treat
ment is undertaken before the
condition of the patient has become
too serious.
Fox farmers who have never had
lungworm trouble on their ranches
for the disease is an especially dif
ficult one to control and may recui
should be on guard to prevent it
year after year once it becomes es
tablished.
DRUGS DUSED IN TREATMEN1
OF FUR-BEARERS
(D. E. Stubbs, fur farmer, McKin
ley Pars, AiasKaj
The list of drugs so far used or
fur farms is not large, yet in thei]
use it is most important that th(
fur farmer know what action tc
expect from the medicine, th<
proper amount to give, how often
and best manner of preparing anc
administering the remedy, and ir
some cases when not to give.
An illustration will make clea:
the importance of this needed in
formation. A rancher, who wa;
raising mixed fur-bearers, had beer
told by some one to give his ani
mals iodine. Securing a bottle o
Tincture of Iodine, it was given ir
large doses, resulting disastrously
Tincture of Iodine, as usually
put up, is 16*2 per cent Iodine crys
tals; potassium iodide 3% per cent
water 2V2 per cent, and alcohol 8.
per cent, for external use. Labe
is always printed with red ink
meaning poison. It is very usefu
on a ranch to apply to wounds anc
bites of animals; all rancher;
should keep it on hand. The de
colorized Tincture of Iodine is £
solution of ammonium iodide ir
alcohol, for external use only.
Potassium Iodide was the dru£
the rancher should have given hi;
animals. It is a white powed, sol
uble in water. Dose for fox: !
grains in solution added to cookec
feed. Dose for mink: 2 grains ir
solution in feed. Two doses £
month is usually sufficient. Onl]
Interior Alaska animals need it
Coast animals do not. Caution
Do not give to a female before oj
Hartman’s Genuine Black Raccoons
Registered stock. Prices reason
able. Satisfaction guaranteed. On<
of the eldest breeders. E. L. Hart
man, New London, Ohio, U. S. A
Hunters — Trappers
“NEVERFAIL * CHEMICAL FERRETS”
will help you get the cream of the fur
harvest--the prime furs of the animals
that den up. Positively empties the
dens—brings the animals out alive and
without injury to fur or fle6h. Suc
cessfully used for years by the best
trappers and hunters. Don’t delay—
order NOW, and start making REAL
money in furs this season. Trial order
of six sent postpaid for $1.00.
WILSON MANUFACTURING CO.
Dept. A. Box 81 Quincy, III.
after she has her young, as it has
a tendency to dry up her milk.
By dissolving 2 drachms (120
grains) of Potassium Iodide in 3
ounces of water, one teaspoonful
will contain 5 grains, the dose for
a fox.
(Continued Next Week)
Six men—three pitchers and
three infielders—from the 1931
Oklahoma City Western League
Club have been bought by Indian
apolis of the American Associa
tion.
Bill Brigham, Greenville, S. C.,
who played football, basketball and
baseball at the University of South
Carolina, is pitching with Ware
ham, Mass., in the Cape Cod league.
TRAPPERS! Two Foxes in a day,!
with only two sets out, is my j
record. Methods guaranteed, $1.00. >
Floyd Blackman, RD 3, New Ber
lin, N. Y.
Science of Trapping, $1.50; Fox
Trapping, $1.50; Fur Buyers Guide,
$2.50; Home Manufacture of Furs
and Skins, $1.75; ALASKA SHOP.
i
FOR SALE-Modern Six-room House
Full basement; furnace... Lot 40 by 100
EXCELLENT LOCATION
The former Gus Peterson residence. See Osbo Electrical
Shop for further information
WHERE ALASKANS MEET
HOTEL ATWOOD
>%. Ted Taylor, Prop.
S 1st AVE. & PINE STREET
J| SEATTLE, WASH.
p| Rooms Without Bath
From $1.00 Per Day
Rooms With Private Bath
IjJS From $2.00 Per Day
. pj Rates by Wreek or Month
TRAPPERS!
American Trapper Maga
zine is devoted entirely to
trapping. It gives you the
best trapping methods; and
each issue contains over a
full page of scent and bait
formulas, including directions
on how to use. Each and
every issue of American
Trapper is packed full of
useful trapping information.
It is just the magazine you
have been looking for. Am
erican Trapper tells you how
to make successful sets for
the wise furbearing animals,
also scents that will lure
them to your traps. No Trap
per can afford to miss a
single issue. It is published
six times a year, October to
March. Subscription price is
only $1.00 a year (Six issues)
or three years for $2.00.
Sample copy, 10c. Regular
price is 25c. Back issues, 10c
each, or 8 different copies
for 50c, prepaid. We are sure
once you see a copy of Am
erican Trapper you will be
come a regular subscriber.
Subscribe NOW or at least
order a sample copy.
Address
N. E. SHARP
Publisher
Plymouth, California. v
NEW YORK
WantsYour
FURS
The purchasing power
of the American fur in
dustry is concentrated in
New York, the fur center
of the world. Offer your
raw furs to these buyers
through the NEW YORK
AUCTION CO., INC. This
is r..2 safest and best
method of marketing your
merchandise.
Let us put you on our
mailing lisrt. Write us
today.
[NEW YORK AUCTION COI
Incorporated
226 West 26th Street
NEW Y03WK
A Masters Work
Jonas Bros, offer you a com
plete Fur, Taxidermy and
Tanning Service —r unexcelled
anywhere.
Game heads, fur rugs, birds,
etc., mounted true to nature.
Your raw fur skins dressed
and made into coats and
chokers.
Write for free catalogue.
I JONAS BROS.
1030 Broadway, Denver, Colo.
r
Subscribe to The Seward Gate
way, the only paper in Alaska
continually publishing Alaska
ure stories and articles.
Custom tanner*
of fur skins and
buckskin. Taxi
dermist on big
game rugs, wall
mounts. M a n u
facturer of
chokers, coats
and glove* of
latest styles.
Send fox
catalogue.
—We buy teeth for mounting—
W. W. WEAVER, Reading Michigan
¥
* KODIAK, the Home of the World’s Largest Bear
; . World's record bear was killed 5 miles from the town of Kodiak and measured
13 feet, 6 inches. THE GENUINE KODIAK BEAR (Ursus Middendorfii) ARE
’ ! ONLY FOUND ON KODIAK ISLAND. THE GREAT ALASKA BROWN BEAR
| (Ursus Goyas) ARE FOUND ON THE ADJACENT MAINLAND AND PARTS
‘ | 1 HE KENAI PENINSUI.A. i lid
I ! \
World'* record moose, wild
a spread of 78^2 inches, was
taken on the Kenai Hen*
SEWA1M is »*’*•
Gateway to the world
famous hunting ground*.
Jfil.
KODIAK GUIDES ASSOCIATION
Cha.. Madwn. Field Msrr.-KODIAK. ALASKA
I
a
Saturday’s
Special
CALL IN AND SEE THE FOUR OR FIVE
SPECIALS WE HAVE TO OFFER YOU
-Phone Main 94—We Deliver
Frye-Bruhn Company