New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-09
MONEY IN FUR.
RAISING BLACK FOXES ON MAINE ISLAND

RAISING BLACK FOXES ON MAINE ISLAND
From The Boston Globe.
There Is an island of the coast OF Maine, six
miles outside Of Boothbay Harbor. where the rarese
of one species Of fur-bearing animals are found IN
They are black and silver foxes, and IT may b
said in beginning that they did not get on the ISL
few years ago Thomas F. Morgan. Of Groton.
conceived the plan OF stocking of the numerous
islands in that vicinity with black and silver foxes
looked around for a suitable island. and finally hit
upon Outer Heron as possessing all the conditions
Outer Heron is wooded island Of 100 acres or So
with considerable elevation and bold rocky shores
II has plenty of fresh water. and It's dense growth
of spruces pines and frs breaks the force OF WIZ ~
island. and in winter dozen or more lobster FISH.
ermen live in shanties around the little cove that
b. RfhsrS II FTam
Mr.. Morgan obtained permission, in consideration
OF yearly rental. to stock the island with foxes
pany engaged in breeding black foxes on an island
in Alaska for consignment OF the re- animals I ana
ney took many months being made by vessel and
steamer to San Francisco and thence overland:
Harbo U: only seven Of the foxes alive.
These were put on Outer Heron about year u ago,
S formed Under the laws Of Maine the in
fox'rslsing business on Outer Heron.
Mr. Knight. the manager; has the reputation i Ct
familiar with the ways Of the red fox , and has
s nG naee snds Of k ea
confess. however. that he knows very tie ABOUT ABOUT
Ing these on the island. but with slight success as
yet for the valuable denizens OF Outer Heron are
OPEN cesx WIN WHIT hey f have Suffered food
To Globe man VINO vlsitea BTD,nDay arp S
prospects OF raising black foxes for the market.
son he SS when Sv sa the a M
stocked we ought to do well. Last year there were
the fur market of the world: They nearly all came
from Alaska. and they were fourteen months on
the way II we can raise skins here we can get
them to London thirteen months earlier than they
could be sent from Alaska. ~
I'VE intend to breed out the light strain or silver
ache cheap anmal-he pelt OF good one is worth IS
the pelts being worth as high as 500 each"
Mr. knight is now engaged in arrangng feed
Recently a horse taken TO the island and killed
in the woods Ths az o sh 6 s fed GH ns nn S
shore II driven out OF The woods by snow to seek
fSoS and h ss in 'h h W Sfs 10
After the animals have become tame enough to
feed the barn M Se 10 Ts ans
taken away. leaving only those with very dark
ing animals With entirely black coats can be OBJ
tained. II success in this line Is attained the COM
pany expects TO reap handsome profits on Its cap
The climate on Outer Heron is said to be very
% K nS h Tue ooy TSs
animals have found good places In the assures Of
the rocky shores In which to build their homes and
from what can be seen OF them they appear fat and
well-conditioned
Not being noted for delicacy In feeding. the black
nd silver foxes find plenty OF good grub lying
around the shores of Outer Heron.
There are mussels in plenty at low-water mark,
and here the foxes have been seen at night by
the lobster fishermen munchng mussels with evf.
dent relish. Old bait thrown ashore by the fisher
men has also been seized.
Until the horse placed in the woods there
was one fox In the colony who showed enough
holiness to come out to the house and eat food
thrown at him by Brewer, the resident keeper and
Mr. Emerson, who up to recently on tho
island.
The visitor named Darius" by Mr. Emerson
lie seemed to have quite a liking for human So
ciety and did not hurry In returning 10 the woods
from a trip to the houses His coat IL coal black
Last fall one Of the colony. female. who had
lost all her teeth by gnawing at the bars OF her
cage while en- route from Alaska. was driven by
hunger seek the company OF Mr. Emerson. lie
fed her and she soon became quite tame. Finally
she sickened. and, as II appeared That nothing
could be done for her. she was killed.
Mr.. knight has her skin In the custom house at
Boothbay Harbor. Although IL is a summer petit"
its value IL SIS
1t IL thought that the pelt OF Darius" would
bring not less than $500 In the London market
<
prowner-So you haven't a bicycle Miss Mere?
Miss Neere-No l looked at one the other day,
but there was something about II didn't like
q nd he mar IN I m az 4