Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-12-29
Fox.RAIsINeAN THIS COUNTRY.
New England Well Adapted to Growth
of Finer Breeds.

There has been a natural DISPOSE
tion of the breeders on Prince Ed
ward Island to make overmuch of the
peculiar suitability of this bleak lit
tie region for fox raising. There Ia
| no question that strongly marked
| Improvement over the wild fox has
| been effected by the best breeders,
who have avoided the error of pro-
longed inbreeding, and no other sin
gle place has sent any considerable
supply to market to seriously chal-
lenge comparison or shake the pres
tige of the island as the chief seat
of the breeding for-sale and pelt in
dustry. Thus the Prince Edward Is
sand breeds and fur have won deserv-
edly high reputation, selling above the
shot or trapped fox and the stock of
obscure fox ranchmen with compara-
lively poor resources for mating and
rearing for market.
The adaptability of vast extent of
cleared and uncleared ground in our
northern and Pacific coast states for
the rearing of this fox has been at
tested by naturalists of the first au-
thority, and is in fact officially re-
ported by the experts of our agricul-
tural department at Washington
which has been recently urging the
American extension of breeding and
pelt supply with Jealous promotion
for the establishment of a new and
highly profitable industry.
There is no question that in alb
original and early colonial days this
fox ranged over Michigan and other
states of our Northwest, and that a
great yield of its pelt was obtained
by our hunters and trappers. Even
now one is occasionally captured in
the belt which our government points
out as certainly adapted for the rails
ing of this animal, stretching over
our northern New England states as
well as the states of the West. 1t
is, however, unnecessary to resort to
ancient history, comparison or an
ticipation to establish the feasibility
of this new industry.
1 would humbly undertake to prove
this assertion to any careful invesl-
gator beyond the shadow of a doubt
or the possibility of successful con-
tradiction, from the evidence in my
possession, and especially the indis-
putable showing of the New Hamp-
shire ranches where my father and
myself have been rearing and breed
ing silver black foxes and desirable
cross strains for the last six years.
We have eonclusively demonstrated
that the White mountain range and
foothills are perfectly adapted in cli-
mate and ground conditions for the
raising of the finest foxes, excelling
in size, strength, healthfulness, thick
Of fItr~
Our efforts have been devoted es-
pecially to the development of an ex-
ceptionally vigorous, high-bred strain
of good temper for assured service in
breeding, and with fixity of traits
that will be impressed on the off
spring. 1t has been my observation
that any greedy pushing Of the re-
turns that may be obtained from pre-
mature development. or the market
for a snowy stock with low vitality
and capacity of resistance to disease
and exposure, is exceedingly short
sighted. Continued inbreeding, which
the small ranchman is likely to carry
to excess. appears to add to the num-
Der of the average litter, but at the
certain expense of yigor, size and vi
tality. 1s..
We have tried at Whitefield, ". H.,
by the closest possible observation,
both by night and by day, to study
the nature Of the fox, his normal and
healthful habits and appetites, the
provisions not only desirable for his
bodily Improvement, but for his con-
! tentment, increase of gay, playful
7 spirit, intelligence, tactibility and the
assurance of ready mating and no
/ disposition to quarrel or injure the
young.
In our selection of sites, prepara-
! tion of ground, Enclosures and ken
ncls, we have sought to make every
thing agreeable as well as healthful,
supplying natural plan cover, proper
soil, variety Of appetizing food, in
variably pure water, pleasant asso-
citation, environment and prospect
that will solace captivity. Except in
the confinement necessarily provided,
the fox reared on our ranch is ii.
comparably better off than the wild
fox. He is constantly and most care
fully guarded from the slightest mo-
lestation or alarm; he is assured of
the most healthful and palatable
food that our constant experimenting
and watchfulness can furnish, with
out any anxiety or trouble on his
part, and he is preserved intently
from any reproach or contagion or
sickness.
1t is now susceptible of positive
proof that a fox reared with such care
under such conditions will show no
visible discomfort whatever and will
exhibit improvement in every particu-
lar over the same species that has
been running wild, except speed OF
foot. The fox is an exceedingly shy
j and distrustful animal, but he is sure
ly amenabe to patient, sympathetic
training and kindness, and he will in
time show pleased recognition and
even attachment to a familiar keep
er and feeder Numbers of the foxes
on our Whitefieid ranch have learned
to take food readily out of the hands
of my father and myself. to bite play
fully at tickling sprouts Of wood OF
grass, and even to permit our hand
ling, petting or examination as vet
erinarians with only occasional ner-
vousness or reluctance.
Under our carefully selected and
artificially provided conditions we
vpou cOpfidapfIxy olairn that we have