70 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1919. 



Long Island, near KodiaJc. — On July 1, 1919, a lease for this island 

 was issued to the Kodiak Fox Farm. This concern had been using 

 the island for several years under a misapprehension that it had a 

 valid right thereto through purchase from a former occupant, who 

 was fomid upon investigation to have had no title to the island and 

 could, therefore, convey none. This farm is probably the most 

 completely equipped of any in Alaska. Extensive extracts from a 

 previous report were published in "Alaska Fisheries and Fur Indus- 

 tries in 1915," and it is thought that the following from the recent 

 report of the company will be of interest: 



As previously reported, we had a number of blue foxes in captivity. Subsequently 

 these were all liberated, for after two seasons of effort not a single blue pup had been 

 born in the pens. Although we tried many experiments, our efforts were unavailing 

 and we gave up our attempt to raise blue foxes in captivity. 



Sincethe blue foxes have been at large, however, the increase has been highly 

 satisfactory and the quality of the fur has improved. We attribute this to the care- 

 ful selection we have made during each trapping season and to the fact that our foxes 

 have been bountifully fed. 



We still continue to feed salmon heads, as this has proved the most satisfactory 

 for blue foxes. During the salmon season only fresh heads are fed; but at the same 

 time we pack about 400 barrels in salt (about 80,000 pounds) to be used for winter 

 feeding. These are thoroughly freshened for about six days in running water be- 

 fore being given to the foxes. 



The foxes have segregated themselves in colonies about the island, and in the 

 vicinity of each colony a feeding box has been placed. Twenty- two of these are now 

 used where food is distributed every other day. 



Breeding records, as originally planned, can not, of course, be kept for the blue foxes 

 at large on the island, but by careful selection during the trapping season of only the 

 desirable animals to be left as stock the quality of the fur can no doubt be greatly 

 improved. We trap only in box traps; the foxes are carefully examined, and if desir- 

 al)le for breeding stock they are marked by ''bobbing" the tail and again liberated. 

 It is our aim to liberate three females to two males of the best animals trapped. 



During the trapping season of 1919, 33 blue-fox skins were taken, and it was esti- 

 mated that 150 animals were left. 



Our efforts in raising silver-gray foxes in captivity have not been successful. _ While 

 we have raised a number of these, and have several now in the pens of the third and 

 fourth generation, the percentage of increase has been so small that we have decided it 

 would not pay us to continue, so we will kill off the remaining stock and devote our 

 efforts to the lilues. Furthermore, the wire netting of our pens is commencing to rust 

 after five years, and unless this is renewed in a short time there will be danger of the 

 silver grays getting loose on the island and killing off the blues. At present prices the 

 cost of renewing this wire would be about $6,000 and we do not feel that our experience 

 justifies such an expenditure. 



During the winter of 1918-19 we killed 9 silver-gray foxes, leaving 21 silvers and 1 

 cross for lireeding purposes. Shortly after this 11 of the silvers died, evidently from 

 some epidemic among them, although we have been unable to determine the cause. 

 Consequently, this season, we have not had a single pup from the silvers. 



Two years previous we had a similar experience, having lost 10 of our breeders 

 after the killing season from apparently the same disease. But this loss was more 

 than replaced by 17 pups born and all successfully raised to maturity. 



The 10 silvers and 1 cross will be killed this coming winter. We intend, also, to 

 take about 50 blues, leaving al)out 100 on the island for stock. 



Marmot IslamI, east of Afoqnalc. — On July 1, 1919, a lease for this 

 island was issued to Charles W. Pajoman and N. I. Greive, of Afognak. 

 In October they placed thereon four cross and nine silver foxes. At 

 the time of the lease the island was supposed to be barren. 



TAttle Koniuji, Shumagin Growp. — Andrew Grosvold continues as 

 the lessee of this island. In November, 1919, the stock was increased 

 by the addition of 19 pairs of blue foxes. In the year ending Novem- 

 ber 15. 1919, Mr. Grosvold took 80 skins. A year later he estimated 

 that there were 30 pairs on the island. 



