NEW INDUSTRY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LII, Issue 71, 27 February 1931, Page 3

NEW INDUSTRY.

BREEDING OF RATS. SYDNEY, February 14. Is there to be a new industry for Australia —the breeding of rats ? A Canadian firm has approached the Tasmanian Government with an offer to spend £IO,OOO in establishing a musquash farm in Southern Tasmania. I’lie Commonwealth Government is to be consulted in the matter. The musquash is really a musk rat, a large rodent of North America, which is aquatic in its habits. It is about twelve inches in length, with a

tail measuring the same. Its color is dark umber-brown, almost black on the hack and grey below. Its hair

consists of a thick, soft underfur, interspersed with long, stiff, glistenbig hairs overlaying and concealing the fur. Fur hunting is the world’s oldest industry, and the musk rat is America’s most important source of nr. ■ The value of the pelts of this ittle animal gathered in America each year exceeds £5,000,000. The rat is caught in a steel trap similar to a rabbit trap. The fur is treated and dyed, and it is often known as “HudThe real significance of the offer of the Canadian Company will he realised when it is known that existing circumstances make the importation of furs- into Australia almost prohibitive. They rank as luxuries, and as such a '• not encouraged. If milady must have her new fur coat, Australia mu “I provide it. However, would sill- Is- so keen about it if it did not bra" Ibe inti'ii ted tag, and if she know definif- V that the pelt- was that of a wate" rat. even though he be Ibe king of water rats? The nnnl'caHon is full of interesting possibilities. With Hie reference tn tile Federal Oovcnmonl it becomes a national ouesficn Shall the breeding of rats 1; 1 iir- nvtted in the confines of this oat Commonwealth? Here indeed : .-■ i.-old in for Mr ScuH.in—after he *>ns stra-ghtened the finances of the country.