The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-06-20

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Sent to Them.
Approximately 4,849 silver-black
foxes are being bred in captivity in
the United States in 215 fox ranches,
representing a value in animals and
equipment estimated at $4,279, $3.50,
according to reports to the bureau Of
biological survey, United States De-
partment of Agriculture. All reports
have not yet been received, and con-
sentative estimates place the number
Of silver-black foxes in this country
at from 5000 to 5000. Some ranch
men estimate the number as high as
10000.
Statistics of the fox ranching bust.
ness indicate that fox raising in the
United States, especially In the north
ern tier of states, is rapidly becoming
! an important industry. The informa-
ton sought has to do chiefly with the
location and number of ranches, mum.
Der Of foxes and money invested.
Prince Edward Island. Canada. is
regarded as the center of the Industry.
Many foxes are bred in captivity in a
great number Of States. including
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Mas.
sachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio. Michigan. Wisconsin, Minnesota.
Illinois. Iowa. Montana, Idaho, Oregon,
Washington, Colorado and California,
and in Alaska. 1t Is probable that
there are other states In which fox
farming Is carried on.
Officials say it Is difficult to obtain
authentic information because some
ranchers decline to fill out and return
the missionaries sent to them. Many
ranchers who volunteer information
report 1t in such manner that 1t is
sometimes difficult to interpret. Then
too. in addition to raising silver-black
foxes some ranchers keep red and
cross foxes. skunks, martens and
muskrats. The amount of money in
vested and reported, therefore, in such
cases naturally covers the whole prof.
ect, making it impossible to allot the
correct amount for breeding silver
black foxes.
Some Statistics.
Some ranchers board foxes for other
breeders, which also adds to the diff,
aculty Of getting correct information,
These facts, it Is said, should be borne
in mind in determining the value Of
the following figures concerning silver.
black foxes. These figures are prelimi.
nary:
Permits issued by the Department
Of Agriculture in 1920 for the impor-
tation of foxes into the United States
from Canada totalled 805, as compared
with 1856 in 1919. Here again 1t is i'm
possible to ascertain the exact num-
Der of foxes coming in, for the reason
that many are brought in for exhibit.
ton purposes and then returned to
Canada.
The number of silyer-black foxes In
Canada in 1919 is given in q prelimi-
nary report of the Dominion bureau Of
statistics as 6,433, with animals val
ued at $3,013,115, not including equip
ment. There were 1920 pelts sold
at total valuation of $482, 1854. These
figures, it is said, are as nearly correct
as it is possible to obtain, but 1t is
thought that there are undoubtedly
many more foxes in Canada than re-
ported.
Janitor Found Large Pearl In MusseI.
Evading his duties as janitor at a
newspaper office in Vincennes, Ind,
Edward Martin spent 30 minutes fish.
ing for mussels in the Wabash river.
The second mussel opened contained
a pearl for which Mr.. Martin has re.
fused an offer Of $3.50.