e fall catch of 1908 and the winter catch of 1908-9
was quite heavy.

From this it appears that the high prices of muskrat during the months
of October, November and December, 1908, caused an unusual number of
hunters and trappers to seek these animals. The consequence being that
they were caught off much closer than ever before.

To further bear this out, dealers say that in many of the Central States
where last year they collected 20,000 during March and April, this year
they only secured 4000 or 5000. Trappers say that there are very few
muskrats left in certain localities. This shows that continued trapping
will practically exterminate the muskrat.

Along the Atlantic Coast south from New York for hundreds of miles the
marshes along the coast, bays, rivers and creeks are literally alive
with muskrats. The marsh owners farm out the "rat catching" privileges,
usually on the halves. The State of Delaware protects the rats some
eight or nine months each year. There are laws in several other states
protecting these animals. A few states prohibit the destroying of rat
houses at all times.

While hundreds of people follow rat catching along the marshes the
owners and state see that enough are left for breeding and replenishing
the marshes. They get their food from the flags and other weeds largely,
which flourish in these swamps. Fifty acres of "swamp" has been known to
furnish 2000 rats or fifty per acre year after year.

In this section black muskrats are not uncommon, the catch some seasons
running as high as 40% black, but as a rule it is lower. What causes
this strange color phase is unknown. Black muskrats are met with
occasionally in other sections but nowhere is the proportion as large as
along the East Coast.

What nature in a way does for the muskrat in the Eastern swamps, fur
raisers can help to accomplish in hundreds of localities throughout
America. There are scores of ponds, small lakes, swamps, etc., in
practically all states where the muskrat is found that can be made to
yield large profits from muskrats. They are easily raised, in fact, will
raise themselves if given "half a chance."

There is no doubt whatever that the fur of this animal will steadily
increase in value. While there will be fluctuations as in the past, we
do not believe that prices will ever go as low as they were some years
ago. Our conclusions in this are based on the fact that the catch is
growing smaller and the popularity of f