The log cabin Democrat., 1916-03-17

- supplemented with stock
 obtained through domestica- tion. 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 onr northern border, much as poultry is now raised. When properly conducted, fur farm ing may become very profitable. It 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 large popula- tion can be continued.
 Success in domesticating wild ami mals, as in ether branches Of hus- bandry, depends on experience, adapt ability, and prudence No one should engage in the business unless he en- ., 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 If 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 states is not well 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 q fine quality from infe- rior stock. But given a normal mar ket for breeding stock and pelts, a la vorable location, a lCve for animals, and an ordinary degree of prudence, one may engage in black or silver fox farming with a good prospect of satis- factory returns, provided, Of course, a high price for belts is sustained. Values of animals and peits 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 it in all it's 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 It 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 it's 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 few white-tipped hairs on the back and trump. 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.