The Cordova daily times., 1921-04-26
FOX RANCHINC ALONG ALASKA
 COAST ACTIVE


 into quite an industry. The climate of this region, with winter tempera- lures seldom going below zero and summer ones not often above 80 de- grees, is ideal for fur production. The extreme winters of the Arctic regions are said to produce fur longer but much coarser than that of the coast country, while iu regions of excessive summer heat the fur does not reach the prime condition, even in winter, that it does in cooler and more | constant cline
 In the Prince William Sound dis trict of the Chugach national forest, there are about 25 islands, ranging in | size from less than 160 acres to about | l6,OOO acres, under permit for the propagation of foxes. At least two of these islands have been occupied for that purpose since before the dawn of the present century and are ! still being operated by the original , locators, and at a goodly profit, too, if one may judge by the recent ex- panson of their business.
 1 Operations in this region are limit ed almost exclusively to the blue fox, | which is an abnormal color phase of the white fox of the Arctic, accord ing to scientists who have delved into ! the matter,
 1 The foxes are liberated upon the islands and run practically in the wild state. Where there is good line i they live to some extent upon clans, mussels, and the various forms of marine life which drift ashore. They are also extremely fond of birds and 1 eggs and are relentless hunters for these delicacies during the nesting season of waterfowl.
 In addition to the natural feed { which the foxes secure for them selves. they consume between 300 and 400 pounds of fish or other food year. which the operator must pro vide. Thus much of the time of the operator is consumed in fishing. The waters of the North Pacific abound in fish. more than 25O species having been classified.
 The fish are cured by salting and drying mostly the former. Before being fed to the foxes it must be thor oughIy freshened for not less than 60 hours. This is accomplished by hay ing two large wooden tanks holding about a weeks supply of fish each. While using out of one tank which has previously been freshened, water is allowed to run through the other tank Thus, when the first tank is empty, the second one is ready for use.
 Feeding is done in log feed houses 2 built about the island usually along the beaches and from quarter to half a mile apart. These are con, structed of logs are about six feet square They are built with a trap
  ping season-Decembe and January 80 that the foxes can enter but can not leave. The operator is en , abled in this manner to retain the choicest individuals for breeding. After skinning the hides must be thoroughly cleaned and cured. Great l cIy in, A e carelessly removed or cleaned, or i'm properly cured or stretched, is likely to be classed as a poor fur where otherwise it might have brought tor price.
 For one who is not appalled, by the terrifying loneliness O. such a life he smaller islands are All One-mau propositions. The larger islands are usually operated by two men or more Men CT a partnership basis. A few nf the lucky ones have wives WhC are content with this malner of living, Aud the strange thing about | IL <S tllttJ OI LllC ItdlL IlOAClt OI HO N' men living on fox islands, absolutely isCIutGu, receiving visitors only at rare intervals, leaving tEo island not more than two or three times a year end getting mail not oftener than once in two or three month none Of them is disconterted with the life.
 Properly conducted, with a due amount of judment and foresight, and an immense amount of hard work and constant application to business excellent yields may be expected. The fox is very prolific, the filters con, sisting of from five to eleven pups The mortality among pups is heavy sometimes as great as 75 per cent But the raw furs bring as much as $250 each although the average