The Cordova daily times., 1922-08-26
FOX FARMER CHOOSES
 s. E. ALASKA

G. E. Whelpley, fox rancher, who arrived recently from the Westward will engage in fox farming business in the Southeastern district according to a statement made by him to the Juneau Empire. He expects to complete ar engagements for leasing an island in Lynn Canal within the next week or 10 days and will stock the island next month
 MT. Whelpley is an old-time Alas kan, having lived in this country the past 25 years. He has been engaged in the fox farming industry the past 19 years, having been located first at Cape Elizabeth, Cooks Inlet, and for the past 12 years on the western isl ands. He has disposed of his blue fox farms on two islands of the Shumigan group, near Unga. The fox island in Lynn Canal will be stocked with blue fox from Seldovia.
 SOUTHERN DISTRICT BEST ...-
 Raising blue fox in this district is more successful because there are more facilities for caring for them. The death rate of foxes raised on the westward islands is 50 per cent. This is because little care is given to them there. The farms are located on ocean islands and the animals are able to pick up a good part of their food. The animals raised on the interior islands of this district are carefully cared for and watched over. The farmers in the westward are beginning to realize the necessity of care to the foxes and are giving them more careful attention.
 Eur farming is no longer an ex- pertinent It is an industry and a serious business problem. The ad- vancement of civilization to the front iers causing the rapid depletion of fur bearing animals is bringing on the necessity of raising the animals. Si- beria and Alaska are the only fur pro- ducing countries today. Siberia has vast richness in furs. When that country is opened it will cause big furry for a short while, but Alaska need have no fear of the competition.
 Eventually it will be necessary to farm land otter, marten, mink and all other fur bearing animals, to meet the demand in the markets. During the past eight years there has been two thirds depletion in the supply of red foxes on the Alaska peninsula, west Of Cold Bay.
 sThe demand for blue foxes is heavy at the present time. I have no fear that it will be over-stocked within the next 10 years. However, the industry is not a get-rich-quick proposition. A number of the people who have gone into the business are building air cas- ties. They over-estimate the number of foxes On the farms and look to the rosy future without considering the cold business between.
 q consider eight pair of foxes fair starter, and if that number be in- creased the revenue will increase per rs tio after the second year.
 Tt is necessary to realize that i'll raising blue foxes the wild animal is taken and semi-domesticated. To sue cessfully bring about this change Ill the life of the animal unlimited study, initiative and patience are imperative. The fox farm must be under efficient and economical management. If it IS properly handled with strict economy and the overhead expense kept down, it is good for from 20 to 25 per cent of the capital invested.
 q believe the association of fox farmers on the coast of Alaska is splendid step toward the development of the industry. Through the inf1u- ence which will be brought by the com bination of interests it will be possible to clear up island titles and to change laws affecting the industry so that within a few years it will be developed into one of the richest resources of the Territory"
 FREIGHT SHOWS INCREASE