The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-04-03
A FOX FARM.
LOCATED ON AN ISLAND GEE
THE COAST OF MAINE.
Raisin. Foxes Eor Their rcits-
Some Of the Animals Have Skins
Worth $4OO-A Queer
New Industry.

THERE is IN island of the
coast Of Maine, six miles out.
/ side Of Doothbay harbor.
g where the rarest OF one species
OF lur.bearing animals are found in
numbers. They are black and silver
foxes, and it may be sald in beginning
that they did not Get on tho island by
themselves.
A few years ago Thomas I. Morgan,
of Groton, Conn, who was summer
ing ct Boothbay harbor, conceived
the idea Of stocking one OF the num-
erous islands in that vicinity with
black and silver foxes, that arc now
almost extinct in the wild state. He
looked around for u s,,itub!e island
and finally hit upon Outer Heron as
possessing al the conditions necessary
to the success Of such colony as ho
desired to plant. Onter Heron is a
wooded island Of 100 acres Or SO,
with considerable elevation aid bold,
rocky shores. 1t has plenty Of fresh
water, and its dense growth OF
spruces, pines and fire breaks :he
force of winter gales. There is B good
dwelling house on the island, and in
winter dozen or moro lobster fisher
men live in shanties around the little
cove that serves as harbor. Tho
ISLAND was owned by Richard II. En-
erson, a veteran, who resided at East
:.5oothbay. From him Mr.. Morgan
obtained permission, in consideration
OF q yearly rental, to stock the island
with foxes.
An order Was sent by Mr. Morgan
to fur company engaged in breeding
black foxes or an island is Alaska, for
consignment OF the animals, and
thirty good specimens We're started
East. The journey took many months,
being made by vessel and steamer to
Son Francisco, and thence overland,
aud when the consignment arrived al
Boothhay barber, only seven OF the
foxes were alive.
They we're put on Outer Heron about
year ego, and they have thrived and
multiplied, from all indications. A
few months ago company was formed
under the laws of Maine to foster the
industry Mr.. Morgan thinks he vii
make out OF the FOX raising business
on Outer Heron. Mr.. Knight has the
reputation Of being one Of the best 70.
hunters in his county. He is familiar
with the ways Of the red fox and ha
shot as many Of that variety as woul<
stock two or three islands. like Quite
Heron. He is obliged to confess
however, that be knows very little
about the black fox. He has set abou
tho task of studying those On tn
island, but with slight success as yet
for the valuable denizens OF Quite
Heron arc very shy, unless hungry
Mr.. Knight talked entertaiDingl.,
about the prospects OF raising blsc)
foxes for market.
"We don't expect to get any return
right away" sail he. "but when W
get the island well stocked We ough
to DO we'll. Last year there were onl
1900 black and silver fox skins sold i
London, the fur market Of the world
they nearly oil came from Alaska, an
they were fourteen months Oh the way
If we can raise skins here We can &C
them ito London thirteen month
earlier than they could be sent fro1
Alaska.
owe intend to breed out all tn
light strain, or silver foxes, from GU
) stock. A silver fox 10 by no means
, cheap aninal-the pelt Of good on
is worth i:om SIS to $l00-but th
black fox is much more valuable, t.,
l pelts being worth as high as $40
each"
Mr.. Knight is now arranging fese
o inn pen for the animals in the barn o
p the island. Recently horse was take
! to the island and killed in the wood
d The animals have fed on the carca'
n and have kept out OF sight Of the Sc
. tlement at the shore. Ii driven OF
Of the woods by snow to seek food
= is expected they will come to the bal
y and feed, and thus get in the way
II feeding there. After the animals ha'
o become tame enough to feed at Il
ii barn Mr.. Knight intends to rig tra!
?. to catch them. All "silvers" will
So sorted out and taken away, leaVll
% only those with very dark coats
l. is expected that by this system
IS breeding animals with entirely bla<
,. coats Gun be obtained.
n The climate on Outer Heron is SO
81 to be very much like that on the Ala
70 kan island from which the founders
10 the fur colony were imported. l.
to animals have found good places
{, assures of the rocky shores in Will
ID to build their homes, and from wh
70 seen of them they appear
veil conditioned. Not being not
fooJ;no. thu hI0nE q