APPENDIX A LXXI 



foxes, of which 1,602 were silver foxes. In the returns in question 

 these animals are estimated to have a value of $14,978,000 from 

 which the Provincial Government derived an income of $37,000. 



The skins from black and dark silver foxes on the Prince 

 Edward Island ranches have rarely brought less than $500 

 apiece and frequently over $2,000 at the London auction sales. 



Much could also be done to prevent the extermination of our 

 fur-bearing animals by making all our National Parks and forest 

 reserves "sanctuaries" for the animals who are their natural denizens. 

 A sanctuary has been denned by Colonel Wood as a place where 

 man is passive and the rest of nature active. This can be done by 

 maintaining a really efficient system of patrol, with the prompt 

 arrest and punishment of all who break the forest laws. Some of our 

 parks are so protected and it is found that the animals rapidly increase 

 in them and spread out into the surrounding forest. Many of our 

 forest reserves, however, are absolutely without protection or patrol. 



Sanctuaries might also be established in other parts of our northern 

 country, for it must be borne in mind that much of it has no economic 

 value except as a hunting ground, and it is, therefore, of the first 

 importance to take steps, before it is too late, to prevent the disappear- 

 ance of its fur-bearing animals. The general decrease in the number 

 of these latter during the past 20 years shows how inefficient the 

 establishment of close seasons from time to time has been to this end. 

 As has been well said by Mr. J. Walter Jones, of the Dominion Com- 

 mission of Conservation: "The whole problem of the protection of 

 wild animals and the possibility of propagating them in captivity 

 are broad questions that require more attention than has been given 

 them in the past. A Dominion Furriers and Fur-Farming Association 

 organized along similar lines to the Canadian Forestry Association 

 and, like the latter, publishing its own journal, could do much to 

 promote a healthy interest in protecting and propagating wild life. 

 The organization of provincial associations would be the first logical 

 step in such a movement. Representatives of the fur trade, the fur 

 farms, the game wardens and commissioners, and the government 

 experts could be called together for the purpose of establishing such 

 a permanent national organization." 



Conclusions. 



In conclusion it may be said that Canada has been blessed 

 with great natual resources. Each and all of these, however, already 

 show signs of serious depletion. 



Proc. 1914, 6. 



