Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1919 — Muskrats Prod let. [ARTICLE]

Muskrats Prod let.

It is a strange fact that in November the muskrats begin to build their homes and gradually enlarge them by adding mdre material, says Edward F. Bigelow in Boys' Life. For thia reason it is said that, according to the height of the muskrat house, no Is to be the cold of the winter—that Is, the higher the house the colder the weather. This Is an error. It has been claimed by the old timers, and the error still la perpetuated, that the muskrats build their houses 20 inches higher and very much warmer for long winters than for short ones. There are many foolish sayings regarding the month as an Index to what the winter will be, the prediction extending on oven Into the following March. Scouts can do a good turn if they will prove, by their appreciation of the month, that It has been maligned by these predictions and traditions. The month Is charming and beautiful.