Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-03-06

over possibilities, which they feel are
too little known, Of fur farming here.
Some of the outstanding features of
the district are mildness Of climate,
and contrary to general belief ex-
| tremely cold winters do not produce
the best fur; early frost that insure
cold nights, with summer nights being
cool, warm days coming with the
| spring. There is minimum Of damp
ness and mud, the presence of which
is detrimental to the health Of the
| newborn fox pups; an absence Of YER
min, fleas, and lice to prey upon the
animals; mineral in the water which
supplies lime, thereby eliminating the
necessity of feeding lime to comba.
ricketts, in the animals; cheap land,
i and low taxes. These are only the
high lights Of advantages which will
in time be utilized by inumerabfe
fur farmers here.
Kootenai River fur primes two to
three weeks earlier than in any place
in the state and among the archives
of the old fur company of London,
England, records more than one hum
dred years old are to be found where
koOtenai fur ranked high in value,
due to one fact, and that, owing to
ideal climatic conditions, the leather
was remarkably tough and when made
up into fur garments had consequently
more durability.
Foxes begin breeding late in Janu-
airy and continue until the latter part
of March, according to Mr.. Smith,
and the pups come in April and May.
Early warm and pleasant spring is
beneficial for the general health of
the young animals, and the absence
of dampness and mud frees them
from the danger of becoming chilled
and cold.
mot a flea has ever been found on
one of our animals" said Mr. Smith,
nor have we ever found evidence Of
any vermin or lice Of any kind. This
insures the steady growth Of healthy
and full pelt Of fur, without the dam
age done by these mites and also the
damage done by the animal scratch
| ing. A large area of this county is
suitable neither for farming nor stock
raising, but hillside aridness and rocks
are in no way a hindrance to we'll
| being and growth of silver foxes"
| The North Star Silver Fox Farm, re-
Gently named, was started little over
two years ago with four pairs of foxes
and in December, 1929, eleven pelts
were culled from their lot and shipped
to the Seattle market, leaving rs pairs
Of the best animals in the pens. They
have rs pens which will be increased
to so pens this year to accommodate
the growing family.
Mr.. Smith explained methods of
killing the foxes which are approved
by the humane society but he said he
much preferred the ether method as
the most humane in use today.
The forming of stock companies fol
fur raising does not appeal to Mr.
Smith. He asserts individuals should
make scientific study of the indus
try from every angle before engag.
ing in it. The closest application tt
the successful raising and marketing
Of the animals is essential to ul
innate financial success. Mr.. Smith
is convinced that application of thi.
study in the right district will in tim.
be commensurate and ever-grow
ing industry in Montana.
But Montana's fur farmers are no
picking dollars off the bushes. The,
have their troubles. Last spring th
bear caused CONSERVATION anon,
owners of beaver farms in Lincoln
county. The story carries laugh, a
well as a moral, but here it is jus
the way Deputy w. ]. Dorringtol
tells it:
"Del Fewkes of Troy, Lincoll
county, who operates one of the larg
est beaver farms in the state, had 4
lot of trouble last spring, caused b,
bear breaking his fence and entering
his beaver enclosure. Mr.. Fewke
has 160 acres Of cedar swamp en-
closed and has to maintain constan
patrol While hauling grain for hi
beaver be ran onto four-year-
grizzly. He returned for his gun an
hon dog. The, bear had entered b
) means Of a fallen tree. In severs
places his fence had been broken b
this or other bears. Six black bea
have been shot close to this farm an
la bear were seen around his farm
In feeding thp bpavar tha o~rais