The Dolores star., 1916-03-10

obtained through domestica-
ton. Experience has demonstrated
that some OF the fur bearers may be
raised without difficulty. This Is like
ly to lead to the establishment Of fur
farming on a small scale as an addi-
tional source OF income on farms In
many places along our northern
border. much as poultry is now raised.
When properly conducted. fur farm
Ing may become very profitable. 1t
will pay not only In direct returns to
the producer, but indirectly, the nat
ural and legitimate desire for furs can
be gratified. the extirpation Of the
most valuable and interesting of our
fur bearers can be prevented and an
extensive department of manufacture
and trade supporting a large popula-
ton can be continued.
Success in demonstrating wild AMI
mails, as In other branches OF huS-
bandry. depends on experience, adapt
ability. and prudence No one should
engage in the business unless he en-
joys 1t and is familiar with the habits,
characteristics and climatic require
ments Of the animals he intends to
propagate. The choice OF location Is of
prime importance. The best furs come
from cool. moderately humid regions.
RI = locality furnishes native furs of
high grade, that locality Is favorable
to the domestication of fur bearers.
The climate Of the middle and south
ern stateJ Is not we'll suited to this
industry, as shown by the medium or
low prices commanded by furs from
these areas. The ratio of expense to
income must be considered with care.
One cannot pay the exorbitant prices
animals for stocking purposes some
times bring. and expect to raise fur at
a profit. Neither can one expect to
raise furs of a fine quality from infe-
rior stock. But given normal mar
ket for breeding stock and pelts, IA
vorable location, a love for animals,
and an ordinary degree OF prudence,
one may engage in black or silver fox
farming with good prospect Of salts
factory returns, provided. Of course. q
high price for pelts is sustained.
Values of animals and pelts were very
high a few years ago, when the indus
try was being launched, but are now
on a much lower basis. Persons who
contemplate going actively into the
business or investing their money in
corporations or companies organized
for fox farming should thoroughly in
vestigate 1t in all its phases.
The name silver fox as commonly
used by furriers, includes the dark
phases Of the ordinary red fox, vari-
ously called silver, silver gray, silver
black, or black. 1t should not be con-
fused with the gray. or true fox Of the
United States, the fur of which is Of
comparatively little value. The color
Of the red fox of the northeastern
states and of its allies of the colder
parts of North America varies from
red to black. and these extremes, with
their graduations, form four more or
less distinct phases, known respec-
lively as red, cross Tor patch), silver.
and black.
The color Of silver foxes varies from
grizzly to pure black, except for a few
white-tipped hairs on the back and
rump. In the black phase. the white
is absent from all parts except the tip
OF the tail. which is white in all four
phases. The red phase is much more
abundant than the others, but all four
interbreed freely, and wherever one
occurs occasional examples OF the
others may be expected. In general
the cross fox is fairly common, the
silver gray scarce. and the pure black
very rare.