FUR-FARMING IN CANADA 5 
Notes ON THE TaBLE.—l1l. The increase in the price of pelts during the past 
twenty years has been general. 
2. All pelts, except those of skunk, have decreased in numbers during the 
past ten years. 
3. Pelts considered of little value twenty years ago are being hunted to the 
verge of extinction; e.g., fisher, lynx, marten, mink, cross fox, and even muskrat, 
show signs of failing. 
4, The increase in numbers of pelts fifteen years ago was caused by keener 
hunting. This was inspired by the rising values. 
The extent to which these influences have diminished the number 
of furs marketed is well put in the Fur News Magazine, for November, 
1912, which says: 
“We present elsewhere in this issue a record of the collection 
of all fur skins centreing at London, and the majority are sent there, 
for the years 1911 and 1912, both secured under the terrific pres- 
sure of a strong demand and record-breaking prices which induced 
strenuous and persistent trapping to the limit—and past good 
business judgment. 
“The figures are remarkably interesting, and definitely serious 
as showing the marked decrease in quantity straight down the 
column with rare and insignificant exceptions; in most instances 
the declines are very great and invite careful attention, particu- 
larly as it is perfectly true that every possible effort was made the 
country over to effect the opposite result, and which surely would 
have been noted if the fur-bearers were present in usual numbers 
in their customary haunts or new and unusual retreats. The few 
exceptions, where there is an increase instead of a decrease, include 
cross fox and fisher, both of which were so high in value that it 
paid better to catch one a week rather than waste time catching 
other animals twice a day every day; but the total increase for 
both is only thirty-two hundred for the entire year and country; 
wolf is the only other fur of moment showing an increase in catch 
over 1911, and the difference is due to a general impulse to effect 
extermination, and not to the fact that there were more wolves 
than in the preceding year. Not afew 1911 skins were held back 
and came forward in this year’s sales. 
“A study of the figures further shows the same general de- 
crease in collections of Russian, German, Japanese and Australian 
skins. Every fur skin caught anywhere this year will have a value 
and not a skin should be sacrificed.” 
