Seward daily gateway., 1923-02-10

| the fur becomes prime, these feeding pens are converted into traps, allow | ing the farmers to examine the con- dition of the animals without killing them. The foxes if in good condition, are killed by means o, wire moose | or by pressing the thumb against the heart, and the skins then removed, placed on stretchers and after drying for a time in cool place, are turned and dried again.
 A lease or license to use these isl ands is secured from the government. Here is strange effect of bureau cratic red tape. By leasing islands under control of the Forestry depart ment rental of but $25 must be paid. If the island is under control of oth- CT departments, extending from agri- culture to birth control, rental of $500 must be paid. A territorial Ii SCnoC l1uot pO oSSuiSo, aiiA oh top oi this the rancher is charged tax of $1.50 per peb, making the cost of do ing business pretty high for men of | limited means. These islands are absolutely useless for any other pur- pose than fur farming, and it would seem that they could be homesteaded as other lands could be, but the mild form of graft offered is too tempting | to be overlooked by khe lawmakers or department heads.
 To start in the fur business one must first an island, wooded, and if possible with harbor and fresh wa ter. It should not be too large, nor yet too small and must be sufficient ly rough to provide shelter to the animals, and protection from eagles and predatory animals which prey on the young. The rancher must have boat, the larger the better, and must have money enough for a house and at least two years supply of provi- sions. He must have at least four pairs of foxes, the more the quicker the returns. His boat will cost him from $500 to $50O0; his house from $2OO up; his supplies at least $500, and his breeding animals $25O per pair. He must have warm clothing, and several tons of cereals. Quickest returns are made where the farmer has plenty of capital, say s5000, as he can then stock with more animals and sell breeding stock quicker. In the southeastern part of Alaska and at most points in southwestern Alaska blue fox farming has been found to be more profitable than rais- ing either blacks or silvers. The lat ter are harder to tame, and are not so rapid breeders as the blues, altho their belts bring several times more money. Around Cook Inlet and tribu- tary points silver foxes are raised ex- tensively. Black foxes were tried on Olson island, Prince William Sound, some years ago by c. L. Hoyt, but he was forced to dispose of his stock and is now raising blue foxes.
 Many fox farmers are leaving the far western islands for southeastern Alaska, as markets are closer, prices lower anl the environment better for the rancher and his family. The win ters are less severe and the farmer is iu closer touch with Outside points.
 Fox fur farming is lonesome and solitary occupation. Some of the far mers have gone as high as 26 months without being able to leave their ami malls, and during that time being prac- tically isolated. They take no reck- oning of sickness or death, and get up early, cook their feed, make their rounds, and then repeat next day. The game is fascinating from one point, as the foxes are cute animals, and the blues become as tame as dogs. They romp and play with the children of the married ranchers, and are af- fectionite to a degree.
 Blue foxes breed very rapidly and often have large filters. Wagne- & Liljegren, in Prince William Sound, have one female which has filtered 13 for many years. At $250 per pair she is a valuable animal. Others have from two to nine. Joseph Ibach, an other large rancher on Middleton isl and, has made enough to retire on, and has leased his farm on shares. MT. Whelpley, Andy Grosvold, Dr.