The Nome nugget., 1928-11-24

We wish to emphasize here the importance of the data published Ill our first paper February Fox Breeders Gazette); and can rec ommend it as reliable guide to fox breeders in judging their foxes during the different periods to which the data refers.
 There is a great deal of talk be- ing circulated throughout the fox industry regarding the wonderful results that can he obtained by feeding large amounts of meat. Unfortunately a number Of fo1 breeders have listened to and. act ed upon this cheap talk.
 Following Wrong Advice
 As result we a1e repeatedly receiving communications from fox breeders stating that previously they had been feeding according to our instructions with good sue cess. then the fox breeders from whom they bought their foxes, or some other person told them to feed large quantities of meat. with the result that their luck had changed, and it appeared that they were not going to have any pups.
 There has been a continual pro cesston of carcasses to the Experi- mental Fox Ranch that have died from feeding excessive quantities of meat, and as high as a pound and pound and three-quarters had been taken from their stom- achs. whereas the capacity Of normal fox is not more than from three to four ounces. In view Of the disastrous results that are con tinually being reported to us through the feeding of excessive quantities of meat, we think it is advisable that there should be some very strong statements made on this subject.
 In the experimental work there has not been one iota Of evidence that the feeding of excessive quah- titles of meat has had a favorable influence either as regard to the breeding or production of fur. On the other hand there is very con elusive evidence that sooner or later if leads to disastrous conse- quences.
 While we do not claim that we are yet in a position to dehniteiy state the minimum amount or meat or the exact protein amount that is required by silver foxes Tn captivity during the different sea sons of the year. all our results tend to show that half a pound of meat. or more. is an excessive amount.
 It is very obvious that if favor able breeding were dependent alone upon the quantity of meat tha; should be fed to foxes. this could have been determined by any one intelligent breeder in at least two or three seasons.
 The evidence that we have ob- tained indicates that normal re- production Is not controlled by single factor. but there are large number of separate and individual factors that must be considered Each of the factors must co-ordi nate and be in step with the others and if one or more of these should be ignored, that would be sufficien to break the sequences associated with reproduction. All chains ar' to be judged by their weakest link
 False Assumptions
 It has always been our policy ts welcome any direct questions o criticism, as fox breeders are vel aware from personal contact wftl the Experimental Fox Ranch. O' the other hand we do not feel tha we are called upon to give direc reply to criticism couched in fals assumption and misrepresentation concerning our experimental data but to treat it accordingly.
 We know large number of own CTS of foxes who have been in tn sflver fox indestry since the inftta