The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-24
Breeding Of S;luer Black Foxes Is One
of Ne,u Industries for Western Montana
Company Organized Here to
Push Production of
Little Animals.

The Hudson Bay Fur company, with
It's history OF northwestern fur traders
and fur trading stations, will again
send Its Representatives into the Rock
les and this time they will travel by
way of luxurious compartment train
and not over the narrow passes and
roadless valleys. The northwest has
ever been the center Of the fur trading
industry of the world and Montana
will have share in the wizardy of
the fur dealer. For the first time in
the history of the state the shy silver
black fox is to be captured by domes-
ticating him and the Montana silver
Black Fox company has given him a
home about six miles up the Rattle
snake valley.
The black fox farm plan was started
In 1894 by Charles Dalton Of Tignish.
Prince Edward Island, Canada. Mr..
Dalton was Interested In the small
black animal that loved shade and
solitude and Immediately began In a
crude way to care for several pairs.
His neighbors were skeptical and won
tlered how he kept his business going.
He lost money the first year, but
persisted and at last realized Il for
tune from the small beginning. The
industry was at the height Of Its sue
cess in that region In 1910 London
sales were netting the fox ranchers
an average OF 1886 for each pelt.
Others Take Up Idea.
A few ranches were then started In
maritime provinces, Newfoundland.
Maine, Ontario. Michigan and Alaska.
The attempt of the owners to keep
their methods secret was not very
successful and as "A result Canada has
many fox breeders associations.
Maine, New Hampshire. Vermont.
Massachusetts, NeW York, Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio, Wisconsin. Michigan, Min
nesota, Missouri Oregon, Washing
ton and Alaska have established sue
cessful fox ranches. The climatic
conditions have a great effect upon
the life and growth Of these small
cunning animals They demand q long
cold season and at least moderate
rainfall. The u. S. government has
issued a bulletin that contains map
of the districts favorable to fox rails
ing and Montana lies in this zone.
The silver tipped animals are not
large. They weigh about or ~
puonds, though their heavy coats or
fur make them look larger. They are
every inch aristocrats, and, according
TO the story of one caretaker they are
so keen that he always wears the same
clothing when going among them.
They are easily startled, but are not
nearly so shy as the wild fox.
Pure black pelts range In price from
$500 to $4,000. The pure blacks al
ways have few silver hairs on their
launches and about the face. Too many
silver hairs detract from the beauty
and hence the financial value de-
creases. The cross or patch peits-
the black fox crossed with the red fox
bring from s35 to Sl40 each, and the
red fox is the cheapest of all. Ivy iar
the highest prices are paid Tor inc
ranch bred fox. His fur is much inner
A great amount of attention is paio 10
breeding of fine stock--the mating OF
nure bred animals, They arc mated
for life. Pure bred pairs have been
known to sell as high as S32,oOo.
Price Constantly Mounting.
The world uses $4,000, 900 worth of
furs each year. The wild furs are
/ EctIlns EEaTCeE anu tit fif' Va s't'N
| furs has Increased 800 per cent dur
| ing the past % years. When the war
| broke out in 1914 Prince Edward is
| land had 100000 invested In the
| fox business.
The war taxes on furs at that time
were enormous and the two markets,
London and Leipsic. had no use for
| the great heaps Of expensive peits. 81.
| Louis and New York are now the
! great fur markets of the world and
! hold immense fur sales every year.
One sale in 1915 In ST. Louis amounted
to sl,o5o,o0o.
The Missoula ranch has already pur-
chased ten pairs of foxes and expects
to make the business realize profits
in three years time. Suitable houses
and dens must be built and lo-fool
wire enclosure provided. The manage
ment of the company Is in the hands
of five directors and it is incorporate,
with n capital of 500 900.